Be Uplifted - The 7Up Talk.
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If you’ve ever read the book of Acts, you’ll know it chronicles the story of Jesus’ ascension into heaven [Acts 1:1-14].
It is the Bible’s detailed account of how Jesus departed from his disciples and returned to Heavenly Father.
As we know, for forty days after his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus appeared on different occasions to his disciples. At last, on the fortieth day, Jesus gathered his disciples together, promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit, and was then "taken up" or "lifted up" in a cloud. Jesus disappeared from their sight, and the disciples returned to Jerusalem to gather in prayer with the men and women who had known and loved him.
Jesus’s ascension reminds me that even if heaven and Heavenly Father are not literally “up,” and the earth and the rest of things not literally “down,” there is still something in our language that links transcendence and joy with moving upward, with elevation.
“I was feeling down,” we say sometimes, “but now things are looking up.” Happiness makes our spirits “rise” We feel “uplifted.”
Joy, hope, inspiration -- all these feelings of exaltation lift us up, they enlarge us, they carry us beyond ourselves... they may even move us to ecstasy, which literally means “ex-stasis,” out of a static place.
So where should we start if we are to become uplifted?
Let me share with you my 7Ups....
The first would be to ROLL UP.
Roll up your sleeves and get to work changing the things you can. Everyone knows the saying, “ A rolling stone gathers no moss.” Don't sit around allowing your mind to dwell on the negative and get you discouraged. Is your house a mess? Don’t say “I don’t have time, I am so busy with work, school or the kids.” Divide and conquer by tidying up a little each day and enlisting the help of those around you.
Don’t have time to put on make up or get out of those sweats and tee shirt everyday? Then put on a pair of earrings and some lipstick – it’ll perk you up and you’ll soon find that those old sweats and tee are really only for gardening or scrubbing bathrooms.
Somewhere along the way, other religions have lost the ancient vision of the church as a priestly people of the Lord, nourished in worship, sustained in the fellowship of Christ, called to declare that the plan of salvation is for everyone and no soul is above or beyond another.
We've been sent here into the world of business and finance, caked-on-Oreo cookies, piles of dirty clothes, the schoolroom, the boardroom, the bedroom, every room and nook and cranny of this broken and fearful world to be Christ's disciples, to be his hands and feet, his heart and soul.
The Lord has said, "I have called you by name...You are mine." This means all of us.
Many of us fear running into the bishopric in the hallway or answering the phone when the caller ID says Gerhardt, Carter or West. We think that if we are asked to speak in Sacrament or extended a calling, it means more work, and for crying out loud, we already have more work than we can handle.
When you think that taking a calling only means saying "yes" to a role in Relief Society, Young Women, Primary or even Visiting Teaching you are wrong.
Dead wrong.
This is when it's time to ROLL UP... roll up our sleeves and get to it.
Fulfilling your calling may very easily be doing what you are doing now, but with one exception. That exception is knowing that you belong to Heavenly Father and that you have been created, named and claimed exclusively for His work, "I have called you by name, you are mine." With that in mind, of course, it changes everything. Your life is not your own. By rolling up your sleeves and doing his work, you'll discover strength beyond your imagining.
What is afraid becomes courageous.
What is hateful is healed.
What is shamed, becomes free.
Because you are not your own, or rather you become what you most fully really are, you are called to shine forth with the full brilliance of our Heavenly Father... you are called to service. You work for peace, healing and reconciliation in your family and the church family.
Like Rosa Parks, who decided one fateful day that she was not going to stand up on the bus anymore, you act from within as the whole, beautiful person you were created to be.
Second, CHEER UP.
Are you an encouraging member of our church family? Are you sensitive to the needs of those around you? Do you crab and moan about other people, your calling, or something else?
Think of the pleasure you receive from a handwritten note, an unexpected phone call, or a gift.
Think about the sisters that are not here today. Are they ill, have personal issues at home or some other reason that's kept them away?
Keep a supply of note cards and stamps on hand to send to less active or missing sisters… you could easily send at least two notes a week to those who just need a lift. Better yet, go and visit them, even if you aren't their visiting teacher. Wouldn't your Visiting Teaching Supervisor be thrilled if you called her and left a message stating, "Hey, I just left Sister So & So's home... I took her a slice of my pie and a magazine to read... she's doing fine and we had a great visit".
If you have kids at home, let them get involved…. children are natural people pleasers. They love to be involved in bringing joy to someone. Let them do what they love -- coloring, cutting, pasting, decorating -- and teach them about loving one another at the same time. It brings honor and glory to God and a little sunshine to someone who needs it.
In the November 1993 Ensign, Spencer J. Condie relayed a story:
"A few years ago my wife, Dorothea, and I were walking across the grounds of a temple in a foreign land when we met a very radiant, cheerful, silver-haired sister. Her cheerful, Christ-like countenance seemed to set her apart from those around her, and I felt inclined to ask her to explain why she looked so happy and content with life.
“Well,” she said with a smile, “several years ago I was in a hurry to get married, and quite frankly, after a few months I realized I had married the wrong man.” She continued, “He had no interest in the Church as he had initially led me to believe, and he began to treat me very unkindly for several years. One day I reached the point where I felt I could go on no longer in this situation, and so in desperation I knelt down to pray, to ask Heavenly Father if He would approve of my divorcing my husband.
“I had a very remarkable experience,” she said. “After I prayed fervently, the Spirit revealed a number of insights to me of which I had been previously unaware. For the first time in my life, I realized that, just like my husband, I am not perfect either. I began to work on my intolerance and my impatience with his lack of spirituality.
“I began to strive to become more compassionate and loving and understanding. And do you know what happened? As I started to change, my husband started to change. Instead of my nagging him about going to church, he gradually decided to come with me on his own initiative.
“Recently we were sealed in the temple, and now we spend one day each week in the temple together. Oh, he’s still not perfect, but I am so happy that the Lord loves us enough to help us resolve our problems.”
Isn't that a great story? Wouldn't you like to be described by others as 'cheerful'?
Third, LIFT UP.
Lift up your hands and be an enthusiastic saint.
Lift your eyes toward heaven and never take them away for that is the goal for all of us to return to our Lord.
Lift your voice in cheerful song and prayer.
I have a friend I met during my son’s baseball season this spring. This beautiful woman is not LDS, but I know many years from now, we will both sit in heaven, watching the saints play ball and continue to enjoy each other’s company.
We were watching our sons' game one afternoon and the subject of bullying in school came up. She asked if Remi had ever been bullied and if so, how I handled bullying at school. I explained that I have instructed Remington that if a situation comes up, to ask the student to please stop, go get a yard aide or worst case scenario, defend himself.
She paused for a moment, then said she had been thinking of the best way to instruct her son on bullies, but had raised him with the understanding that, “Our hands are for praying and praising.”
Can you imagine our lives spent with our hands lifted up in gratitude and appreciation of our Heavenly Father and Jesus? How about even just high-5'ing each other on jobs well done? What a wonderful world we'd live in.
Another friend I know has a mother with a big booming alto voice and what she lacked in quality she made up for with volume. When we were younger, I remember her feeling embarrassed when all the kids around their pew would turn and stare at her mom and roll their eyes. I remember her saying to her mother one evening, “Mom, why do you have to sing so loud? People are staring at you and it’s so embarrassing.” Her mom answered, “I'm not singing for them, I'm singing to the Lord, and he expects me to give it all I've got.”
In the Latter Day Saint Woman Personal & Family Development Lessons, there is one titled, “Creating an Uplifting Environment in Our Homes.” It speaks about the powerful influences we as mothers have on the lives of our children.
Dorothy Law Nolte wrote, “The time we spend at home and the atmosphere of the home have a powerful influence on our lives.”
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.
We have an important responsibility to create an atmosphere of warmth, love and trust in our homes. When our family steps through the door, all external pains, worries and fears should be left at the doorstep.
We should ask ourselves:
Are we patient and happy?
Do we correct family mistakes in love and not in anger?
Do we show reverence toward sacred things?
Do we share one another’s problems and listen to each other?
As we do these things, we create a feeling that will inspire and help our families.
A home is a place where people live in peace and happiness. It can be a house, apartment or trailer. The size or beauty of a building does not make it a home; happy people make a home. The greatest principle to be learned in the family setting is love. If parents will influence and direct and persevere with love, then members of the family will also make that principle a part of all they do. The principle of love can overcome many parental mistakes in the raising of their children.
Each of us should create a feeling in our home that will inspire our family. We want our family members to live gospel principles and to make good use of their time and talents. We should provide opportunities for study, recreation, and hobbies in our homes. Then our kids and spouses will want to be at home and be less likely to seek activities elsewhere.
(Optional discussion point: ask the sisters about happy times in their lives)
Fourth, CLAM UP.
Or more aptly put, shut up.
When you are tired or frustrated, it’s easy to slip into being critical of your partner or family members. I know I have done this on more than one occasion.
But remember that negative expressions or comments and behaviors hold more weight than positive interactions.
If you do have to make a negative remark, make sure that for every negative comment you say, you counteract it with five positive comments or interactions: a laugh, a compliment, a kiss, a hug... an act of love.
I remember growing up and seeing my mom and dad fight. Well, fight would be a very strong word, as they disagreed about little things more so than ever really have any type of fight. My mom however, was a very stubborn woman and NEVER said, sorry. Perhaps they don't have that word in Taiwanese or Mandarin, I don't know.
But we always knew when she'd throw in the towel and also knew they'd never go to bed angry. When it came time for her to reconcile, she'd do it in her own special way: she would make my dad a cup of tea, top it with a spoonful of honey, find him wherever he was in the home or backyard and sit down with him while he drank his tea.
It is these tender moments that I recall, these small acts of love. They treated their love like a cherished friendship, and we should all do the same. The happiest couples and families relate to each other with respect and affection, and empathy. They choose their words carefully, avoiding the most poisonous relationship behaviors such as criticism, defensiveness, contempt and stonewalling - positive families feel emotionally connected.
Fifth, STICK UP.
Stick up for what you believe in: your church, your beliefs, your self respect.
My sister and her family joined the church over 2 years ago, but has become inactive. While she has a testimony in her heart, she hasn't found her way back to church yet. When I asked her why she didn't come to Sacrament, she reminded me of why she hadn't gone to church regularly while we were growing up.
She has a term she uses called "Sunday Christians". We all know one or two of these people...the ones that come on Sunday with the appearance of being a true Christian, but Monday thru Saturday, you'll find them gambling, watching inappropriate movies or pornography, and cussing at everyone who drives 55 in their traffic lane.
If people make fun of you for because of your religious ties, your choice of clothing or something else, don't get caught up in right or wrong. It's easy to fall into a power struggle of who's right and who's wrong, but that will prevent you from ending the issue. Forget about the fault, and stick up for yourself, the prophet, our church, or whatever you feel strongly about. Speak your mind. Many times people come home and think to themselves, "I wish I had said xxx when that fool made that comment." Sometimes you only have one chance to defend whatever it is your heart believes in.
In the November 1983 Ensign, our Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley said;
"There comes into my mind these great words from one of the letters of Paul to Timothy:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” (2 Tim. 1:7–8.)
Take a deep breath and give yourself the satisfaction of knowing you didn't walk away from what you hold dear. That you stuck up for what you believed in.
Six, FREE UP.
Free up your time.
Want to be a better saint? Set aside time to read the scriptures.
Want to be totally uplifted? Set aside those precious hours on the Saturdays and Sundays General Conference is held. Be an avid listener and note taker. Read your Ensign the following month when the talks come out.
Want to be a better spouse or friend? Spend more time with those you love, not talking, just listening with an open mind and non-judgmental heart.
We all know the famous one-liners:
"Just a minute"
"I'm busy right now"
"I'll be there in awhile... go ahead and start without me."
I am guilty of using these words but now I try and tell myself - this is the ONLY opportunity I’ll have to savor this moment, minute, hour.
Yes, sometimes we can't help ourselves or break free to do the things we like and enjoy, but when there is a golden opportunity at hand, the Internet, the Dr. Phil Show, and even the phone can be ignored.
Freeing up your time can even be time for yourself, even if you are in the company of others - like relaxing in the tub with a little R&B playing in the background. It can be building blanket & pillow forts with your kids all over the living room, or even finding time to read a few verses or chapter of scriptures at night with your spouse before nodding off to bed.
Whatever the activity is, even if it's laying on the grass, looking up at the sky and daydreaming, take a few moments for yourself. Feed your own needs and make yourself a priority. If you need to, wake up five minutes earlier each day so you have the opportunity to carve out some "Me time” to spend alone or with someone you love.
And last on my list of 7Ups is YOU'RE UP.
What does this mean? Well, it can mean a host of things, but I'll leave the final choices up to you.
When you're up and your home team is counting on you, don't let them down.
Remain uplifted - just like Christ's ascension into heaven in the Book of Acts, we can trust our moments of joy, we can notice and value those moments of being uplifted by what is beautiful or noble or pure, because in those moments our hearts are rising with Christ to give thanks for all He has done for us.
So I said "You're Up" ... how about:
Having the missionaries over for dinner?
Taking life less seriously?
Finding the courage to share your testimony with a friend or neighbor?
Being the first to offer the olive branch?
Dreaming big!?
Margaret D. Nadauld, said in her “A Woman of Faith,” article in the November 2002 Ensign:
"A Latter-day Saint woman who follows Christ’s example in her daily living begins to fulfill the plan of our Heavenly Father for her. By so doing she can be a powerful influence for good in today’s world and meet the challenges of mortality. The Latter-day Saint woman who follows Christ is a true Christian in the very best sense of the word. She is a woman of faith who trusts God and is confident and fearless."
A woman of faith trusts God and faces adversity with hope. She has a living relationship with Jesus. He is not limited to only one moment in history. Because of His sacrifice, He is not far off, a man who lived -- as fairy-tales say -- long ago and far away.
Instead He is here with us, intimately close and ready to help us in all areas of our lives.
(Point to each "Up" as you recap the lesson)
LIFT UP
A woman of faith is confident because she understands the divine plan of our Heavenly Father and her role to bless lives. She is confident that any sacrifice she makes is worth something in an eternal sense. She knows about sacrifice from knowing of the life of the Savior.
ROLL UP
A woman of faith is fearless. She fears no evil, for God is with her. There is no ambiguity, no uncertain trump in her life. She can live a principled life because she studies the doctrine and teachings of a perfect teacher, the Master. She is a noble example to all who know her.
STICK UP
A fearless woman of faith has the courage to talk with her children about practices which would destroy them. They not only hear her discuss her commitment, but they see her commitment in her daily living—in the way she dresses, what she reads and watches, how she spends her leisure time, what she loves and laughs at, whom she attracts, and how she acts at all times, in all things, and in all places. She has a certain style of her own that is attractive and joyful and bright and good. All can safely trust in her examples and seek out and promote that which is uplifting and happy and decent.
Ephesians 4:10 states: "He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”
I know in my heart that if you fill your cup with the 7ups I've shared with you today, you can be a happier, calmer, more confident woman, mother, saint.
You will demonstrate it by the life you live, by the words you speak, by the service you render, by your every action.
You won’t be perfect, but it's not a race - just knowing you're doing your very best is enough.
