Forget Me Not: review

One of the most touching scriptures to me is Rachel’s desire to have children finally being answered by the Lord, after she felt abandoned and forgotten: “And God remembered Rachel…”

I love this scripture because of the way Elder Spencer J. Condie describes trusting the Lord’s promises in his 2007 General Conference address—Read it!

This year, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke to the relief society about 5 things we should never forget: all of which brought Rachel to my mind. What I took away from his message: God knows and remembers each of us, and He will keep His promises to us.

#1. Forget not to be patient with yourself.

Ugh. Patience. Seems like I will never develop this one (ironic…)

I think of Rachel’s plea, “Give me children or else I die.” Right after that, Leah had three more kids. But Heavenly Father kept His promise, and blessed Rachel with two boys with amazing birthrights.

Patience means trusting the Lord and expecting His promises to come to pass with such surety, that I don’t need to see the answers now, or even soon…I know that I am headed toward them according to the Lord’s timing.

President Uchtdorf focused on having patience with ourselves. He said, “God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect…He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It’s OK that you’re not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself. …remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.”

God notices all the small successes I have each day. I think His infinite patience and understanding is much more forgiving than I am toward myself.

To implement: Remember to see the big picture, make decisions carefully (not rashly), and recognize each step toward your most important, lasting goals.

#2. Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.

“An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth…Our Heavenly Father is most please when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective.”

Most of my foolish sacrifices are made in haste. Carefully weighing an important decision helps me to recognize not only whether the sacrifice is beneficial to the issue, but also helps me to determine the real worth of what I am pursuing.

Best sacrifices, looking back, hardly seem like sacrifices at all, considering the precious experience received in return.

#3. Forget not to be happy now.

How to do this: BE GRATEFUL. (Or in other words, count your blessings and recognize that the Lord loves you.)

Note: it is okay to have a few down days, every once in a while. Ecclesiastes chapter 3 says there is a time for all seasons and for all emotions. Even Job, who is remembered for his dedicated faithfulness, cursed the day he was born. You’ve got to be pretty low to use language like he does in Job chapter 3.

It happens! We have some difficult things to go through. I don’t think we’re meant to repress our disappointment; the Lord has provided a comforter and friends/family to listen, understand, and offer advice. Then, we must choose to focus on the blessings and find genuine happiness again. Now.


#4. Forget not the “why” of the Gospel.

This is a huge topic.

Go to the temple.

Remember why.

Be filled with the spirit, even to the refreshing of the body.



#5. Forget not that the Lord loves you.

I love President Uchtdorf’s words here: “As an Apostle of our Master, Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart…You are not forgotten...You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time! He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name…You are destined for more than you can possible imagine…Never forget that your Heavenly father knows, loves, and cherishes you.”