Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Rank and File of the Church

My gospel study has led me in a round about way to a talk by President Boyd K. Packer entitled "A Tribute To The Rank and File of the Church".

Here is a quote from this talk:
Who would dare to say that angels do not now attend the rank and file of the Church who—

answer the calls to the mission fields,

teach the classes,

pay their tithes and offerings,

seek for the records of their forebears,

work in the temples,

raise their children in faith,

and have brought this work through 150 years?



Here is a link
to the complete address.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Pres. Monson in Oct. 2011


1. As We Meet Again:
*suggestion- If you are able, contribute to the General Temple Patron Assistance Fund.


2. Dare to Stand Alone: (Priesthood session):
*We must conduct our lives so that we are ever worthy of the priesthood we bear.

*Please, before you put yourself and your priesthood in jeopardy by venturing into places or participating in activities which are not worthy of you or of that priesthood, pause to consider the consequences.

* Quoting Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley- “You cannot afford to do anything that would place a curtain between you and the ministering of angels in your behalf.

“You cannot be immoral in any sense. You cannot be dishonest. You cannot cheat or lie. You cannot take the name of God in vain or use filthy language and still have the right to the ministering of angels.”

*we must have our own testimony. Whether you are 12 or 112—or anywhere in between—you can know for yourself that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Read the Book of Mormon. Ponder its teachings. Ask Heavenly Father if it is true.

*Once we have a testimony, it is incumbent upon us to share that testimony with others.

*With all my heart and soul, I pray that every man who holds the priesthood will honor that priesthood and be true to the trust which was conveyed when it was conferred. May each of us who holds the priesthood of God know what he believes. May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven.


3. Stand in Holy Places:
*Our code of conduct is definitive; it is not negotiable. It is found not only in the Ten Commandments but also in the Sermon on the Mount, given to us by the Savior when He walked upon the earth.

*there is nothing which can bring more joy into our lives or more peace to our souls than the Spirit which can come to us as we follow the Savior and keep the commandments.

*We must be vigilant in a world which has moved so far from that which is spiritual. It is essential that we reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing in the process to surrender that which we desire most: eternal life in the kingdom of God.

*The storms will still beat at our doors from time to time, for they are an inescapable part of our existence in mortality. We, however, will be far better equipped to deal with them, to learn from them, and to overcome them if we have the gospel at our core and the love of the Savior in our hearts.

*it is necessary that we communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer.

*Not a day has gone by that I have not communicated with my Father in Heaven through prayer. It is a relationship I cherish—one I would literally be lost without. If you do not now have such a relationship with your Father in Heaven, I urge you to work toward that goal.

*That remarkable experience (announcing Peter Mourik to speak at the temple dedication when he wasn't there.) has provided an undeniable witness to me of the importance of being worthy to receive such inspiration and then trusting it—and following it—when it comes.

*communication with our Father in Heaven—including our prayers to Him and His inspiration to us—is necessary in order for us to weather the storms and trials of life.

*may we remember the Lord’s precious promise to those who trust in Him: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

4. Until We Meet Again:

*I would ask once again that you would remember me and all the General Authorities in your prayers.

"I leave with you my witness and my testimony that God our Eternal Father lives and loves us. He is indeed our Father, and He is personal and real. May we realize and understand how close to us He is willing to come, how far He is willing to go to help us, how much He loves us, and how much He does and is willing to do for us."

Sunday, December 4, 2011

As a Hen Gathereth her Chicks

I am reading in 3 Nephi right now. I am at the part where after many of the cities have been burned, buried, etc. there is a vaporous darkness. The people are howling and lamenting their dead. Then out of the darkness, Jesus speaks to them. Here is part of what He says:
3 Nephi 10:4
O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.






There are a few scriptures that the word "nourished" refers you to. This is one of them.


1 Nephi 17:3

And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them;


The reason these scriptures stand out to me so much is that it makes me think of the quote from Pres. Monson, from last general conference, that I just read again.

That quote and these scriptures all testify of God's great love for each of us and His willingness to help us. Even when we don't do what's right, if we repent and keep trying, He will keep coming back to help us.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Prayer Cycle

A few years back, a member of the Stake High Council, Br. Mayfield, spoke to our ward about prayer.

He talked about the cycle of getting answers to prayer that he said goes like this:
1- We have a need
2- We pray about that need
3- God answers that prayer
4- We thank Him
5- The cycle starts again


As I was reading in 3 Nephi, I realized that what the people were experiencing was a perfect example of this prayer cycle. There is one important aspect of prayer that needs to be added. That is that after we pray, we need to do all in our power first. Heavenly Father won't usually do something for us that we can do for ourselves.

There is a saying:
“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”
~St. Augustine
So here is the Answers to Prayer Cycle with the new addition:
1- We have a need
2- We pray about that need
3- We do our part to help bring about the answer and God answers that prayer
4- We thank Him
5- The cycle starts again

In this example from the scriptures, the people pray for deliverance from their enemies, then they work hard to prepare themselves, then God helps them to win their battles, and then they thank Him with all their hearts for His help.

3 Nephi 3:12,14 and 3 Nephi 4: 32 and 33

12 Now behold, this Lachoneus, the governor, was a just man, and could not be frightened by the demands and the threatenings of a robber; therefore he did not hearken to the epistle of Giddianhi, the governor of the robbers, but he did cause that his people should cry unto the Lord for strength against the time that the robbers should come down against them.

14 And he caused that fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedingly great. And he caused that armies, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites, or of all them who were numbered among the Nephites, should be placed as guards round about to watch them, and to guard them from the robbers day and night.

31 And it came to pass that they did break forth, all as one, in singing, and praising their God for the great thing which he had done for them, in preserving them from falling into the hands of their enemies.

32 Yea, they did cry: Hosanna to the Most High God. And they did cry: Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the Most High God.

33 And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Latest message from the prophet

I have a previous post that I started after the October 2011 conference was over that I just published. I wanted to call attention to something that Pres. Monson said in his parting message at General Conference. This is powerful.



I leave with you my witness and my testimony that God our Eternal Father lives and loves us. He is indeed our Father, and He is personal and real. May we realize and understand how close to us He is willing to come, how far He is willing to go to help us, how much He loves us, and how much He does and is willing to do for us.

October 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Blind Guides


Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides?

Who do we look to for help to get us through this life? Something to think about.....

Helaman 13

26 Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil.

27 But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet.

28 Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him.

29 O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?

Return

As I was reading about Samuel the Lamanite in Helaman, I was reminded that he had been kicked out of Zarahemla and was returning to his own land, when the Spirit told him to return to Zarahemla and keep trying. I had forgotten this part of the story. Thinking about this story started me thinking about other times this same thing has happened. I want to use this post as a place to put all the instances where someone was leaving and then told by the Spirit to return and keep going.

It's a good lesson for us. When we think we have given enough, we need to keep going until the Spirit tells us we are through.

Samuel the Lamanite

Helaman 13:

2 And it came to pass that in this year there was one Samuel, a Lamanite, came into the land of Zarahemla, and began to preach unto the people. And it came to pass that he did preach, many days, repentance unto the people, and they did cast him out, and he was about to return to his own land.

3 But behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart.



The sons of Mosiah


Alma 26:27

27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.


Alma
Alma 8:15,16,18

15 Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you.

16 And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lord God will destroy them.

18 Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yea, by the way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Record-keepers, Timeline links, etc.

Here is a link to the order and timeline of the record-keepers in the Book of Mormon. I want to have this in a place I can find quickly, so I can look at it from time to time.

And while I am at it, here is a link to a chronological timeline of the Book of Mormon.

Here is a link that shows what all the different records were.

Who's who in the Book of Mormon.


Here is an interesting source online for reading/studying the Book of Mormon.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Pahoran



I have posted before about Alma 60 and 61. These are the letters between Moroni and Pahoran. Moroni, out of desperation, sends a scathing epistle to Pahoran and Pahoran sends back an epistle full of peace, encouragement and love back.

I have more to say about Pahoran. He read not just the words of Moroni, but he also read the heart of Moroni.

Here's my new take. Pahoran was humble, not prideful. He received a scathing letter where he was censured, but he read the letter and he says that it gave him great joy! It gave him great joy because he did not take offense at the letter. Instead, he thought about the contents and it helped him to make a decision about what to do. It doesn't come right out and say it, but I know, being the great man he was, he was praying about this situation. The Lord sent Pahoran the answer to his prayer through Moroni. Pahoran was humble enough to see it as an answer to prayer instead of what it appeared to be at first glance.

When you are praying about something, be watchful. You never know where the answer to that prayer will come from.

Because of Pahoran's actions, the relationship between the two of them was actually strengthened. When Moroni received his epistle back, it strengthened and encouraged him and they were able to work together to solve the problems they faced.

The more I think about Pahoran, the more he becomes one of my favorite Book of Mormon characters. There is so much that can be learned from his reaction to the epistle he received.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

More on problem solving

I have mentioned in previous blog posts about gospel resources in solving problems. As I read Elder Scott's address this morning, I was impressed with what he had to say regarding scriptures as basically a handbook for solving problems.

I also want to include this post about Christ as the ultimate help for solving problems.


Throughout the ages, Father in Heaven has inspired select men and women to find, through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, solutions to life’s most perplexing problems. He has inspired those authorized servants to record those solutions as a type of handbook for those of His children who have faith in His plan of happiness and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We have ready access to this guidance through the treasure we call the standard works—that is, the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Elder Richard C. Scott, "The Power of Scripture" October 2011 General Conference
.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Alma 32/33 connection

I have never tuned in to the fact that right after Alma discusses comparing faith to a seed in Alma 32, the very next thing he talks to the people about is prayer. The people want to know what seed they should plant and how they should plant it. Prayer is the starting place. In fact, the answer is always, at least in part, prayer. He quotes a prophet we don't know too much about, Zenos. This is what Zenos has to say about prayer. It seems very poetic to me.

Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.

5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.

6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.

7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.

8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them.

9 Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.

10 Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction.

11 And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.


The last verse in Alma 33 says this:
23 And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Feeding a pet / Feeding a testimony analogy


A couple weeks ago, Preston Weekes was speaking in Sacrament meeting and talking about testimony. This is the analogy he made.
When you get a pet, what do you need to do to take care of it?
You have to feed it and give it water everyday. It is helpful if you play with it, and give it exercise. Take it to the vet to get check-ups and shots and things it needs to be healthy. Make it a part of your life. If you don't feed it, it will eventually die.

When you get a testimony, what do you need to do to take care of it?
You have to feed it daily. You need to give it exercise and make it part of your life. If you aren't doing something for it everyday, it cannot grow and progress as it should. You should check on it frequently to make sure it is growing and progressing.

Because of Alma 32:26-43, I have frequently compared faith or testimony to a seed, but I hadn't really thought much about how similar it is to caring for a pet or a living thing. This helps to clarify for me, the need for daily nourishing of testimony.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Pres. Uchtdorf's message- Forget-me-not




1) forget not to be patient with yourself.

2) forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.

3) forget not to be happy now.

4) forget not the ‘why’ of the gospel.

5) forget not that the Lord loves you.


“My dear Relief Society sisters, you are closer to heaven that you suppose. You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine. Continue to increase in faith and personal righteousness. Accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as your way of life. Cherish the gift of activity in this great and true Church. Treasure the gift of service in the blessed organization of Relief Society. Continue to strengthen homes and families. Continue to seek out and help others who need your and the Lord’s help.”


Click here for Pres. Uchtdorf's message. Part 1
Part 2

Thursday, September 22, 2011

What I get from Alma 29

These are my rambling thoughts about the 29th chapter of Alma...

Alma 29:
1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.



9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.


Alma has huge desires to be an angel and cry repentance to all the world. Why would that be a sin? I guess the sin lies in the fact that, though he has fine desires, he needs to make sure that He is doing what the Lord wants him to do. He "tones" down his desire in verse 9, to be an instrument in God's hands to bring a soul to Him. It is really the same goal, just not as grandiose.

We need to seek the Lord's will and make sure we are doing with our lives what He has "allotted" us to do.

I also think sometimes we get huge ideas and bite off more than we can chew. Crying repentance to the world looks at the world as a whole. After he thinks about it, and says he would like to bring a soul to God, that individualizes it more. That is what the Lord is about. He wants the Gospel taken to someone one at a time.

The interesting thing is that Alma actually got his original wish; Now his words are contained in the Book of Mormon that is spreading over the world. All Alma needed to worry about doing was bringing the Gospel to one person at a time and God will take care of the rest.

Friday, September 16, 2011

More on General Conference

In looking for patterns in the last General Conference addresses, this is what I found:

Topics covered 5 times or more
Faith
Family
Holy Ghost
Jesus Christ
Obedience
Priesthood
Service

The topics talked about the most:
Faith
service

These are the titles on which each of the Prophet and Apostles spoke:

Thomas S. Monson:

It’s Conference Once Again
Priesthood Power
The Holy Temple—a Beacon to the World
At Parting


Boyd K. Packer

Guided by the Holy Spirit
L. Tom Perry
The Sabbath and the Sacrament
Russell M. Nelson
Face the Future with Faith
Dallin H. Oaks
Desire
M. Russell Ballard
Finding Joy through Loving Service
Richard G. Scott
The Eternal Blessings of Marriage
Robert D. Hales

Jeffrey R. Holland

An Ensign to the Nations
David A. Bednar
The Spirit of Revelation
Quentin L. Cook
LDS Women are Incredible!
D. Todd Christofferson
“As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten”
Neil L. Andersen
Preparing the World for the Second Coming

Call me observant, but I didn't realize that Robert D. Hales didn't speak. Was he sick?

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Pres. Monson's message from April


As Gen. Conf. is coming up in a few weeks, I want to review Pres. Monson's messages from April. He spoke 4 times and these are the things he asked us to do:

1) It's Conference Once Again.
~Each year millions of ordinances are performed in the temples. May we continue to be faithful in performing such ordinances, not only for ourselves but also for our deceased loved ones who are unable to do so for themselves.

~May I suggest that if you are able, you might consider making a contribution to the General Missionary Fund of the Church.

2) Priesthood Power

~Many movies and television shows portray behavior which is in direct opposition to the laws of God. Do not subject yourself to the innuendo and outright filth which are so often found there. The lyrics in much of today’s music fall in the same category.

~I am sorry that any of us is subjected to profane language, and I plead with you not to use it. I implore you not to say or to do anything of which you cannot be proud.

~Stay completely away from pornography. Do not allow yourself to view it, ever.

~The Church is true. If you do not already have a testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one.

~Attend church.

~Choose a companion carefully and prayerfully; and when you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another.

3) The Holy Temple- A Beacon to the World
~If you have been to the temple for yourselves and if you live within relatively close proximity to a temple, your sacrifice could be setting aside the time in your busy lives to visit the temple regularly.

~there is no more important goal for you to work toward than being worthy to go to the temple.

~(quoting Spencer W. Kimball) It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives].

~I plead with you to teach your children of the temple’s importance

~As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.

~may we make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple and to have the spirit of the temple in our hearts and in our homes.

4) At Parting

~As we receive the issues of the Ensign and Liahona magazines which will contain these messages in written form, may we read and study them.

~We face many challenges in the world today, but I assure you that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us. He loves each of us and will bless us as we seek Him through prayer and strive to keep His commandments.

~May we be good citizens of the nations in which we live and good neighbors in our communities, reaching out to those of other faiths as well as to those of our own.

~May we be examples of honesty and integrity wherever we go and in whatever we do.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Courage

Found this on a facebook status update. I really like it!

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.”

Book of Mormon geography

In my studies today, I found an interesting website that tries to piece together where the different cities, etc. were located: Click here In the website, click on The Map in the upper left corner.

Here are some other websites:

Here

And here

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Words of Counsel from Alma

Alma 7:23-24:

And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Gaining a testimony


In reading this scripture this morning, it reminded me of the first time it was brought to my attention. Craig Merrill, I believe in a testimony meeting, talked about it.
45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?

46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.


He mentioned that people tend to think that Alma the younger was converted by his experience of having an angel appear to him. It is true that it caught his attention, but he still had to go through the same process we all do of gaining a testimony. There isn't really a shortcut. Remember that Laman and Lemuel both saw an angel and it didn't have the same effect on them as Alms's experience.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

I don't remember the last time we sang this in sacrament meeting, up until today. I really like the words. I hadn't paid much attention to them before. I especially liked the 2nd verse.

1. God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

2. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.


3. His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

4. Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.



Here is some information
I found that talks about this hymn and the man who wrote it.

If the Savior stood beside me.......


I saw this painting at Deseret Book a few months ago when I was looking for something for a YW lesson.

It really makes you think. Do I think of the Savior during the Sacrament as much as I would if He were actually passing it to me personally?

This 15-20 minutes are the most important in our whole week. Partaking of the sacrament of the Lord's supper allows us to repent and renew the covenants we made when we were baptized. When I first got baptized, I didn't really get it. I was so disappointed when I wasn't able to keep that sinlessness for more than an hour or two. I didn't realize that taking the sacrament with real intent each Sunday is as sanctifying to my soul as my actual baptism. They work together to help me make it back to my Father in Heaven.

The words to two different songs come to my mind when thinking on this subject. The first is:
If the Savior Stood Beside Me
Click here to see two of my daughters sing with other Young Women from our area for a General Young Women Meeting in 2007.

Here are the words:

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would my thoughts be clean and pure?
Would His presence give me strength and hope, and courage to endure?
Would His counsel guide my actions? Would I choose more worthily
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I often kneel to pray?
Would I listen to the Spirit's voice, and hasten to obey?
Would I count my many blessings? Would I praise Him gratefully
If I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I comfort those in need?
Would I try to show the Savior's love in every word and deed?
Would I give to those who hunger? Would I serve more willingly
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

He is always near me, though I do not see Him there
And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care
So I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.


The other song I think of is "I Am a Child of God". The words originally said "teach me all that I must know". The story that circulates is that the prophet suggested to the author of the lyrics that it might be better for that line to read "teach me all that I must do." Now I have heard some say that it might be more appropriate for it to say "teach me all that I must be."

That is the purpose of life. To learn more about God and Jesus so we can know more, so we can do more, and ultimately that we can be more what He wants us to be.

In praise of sacrament meeting



First off, kudos to a great home teacher who got my laptop working on our wireless router once again!

Now onto the topic which has been on my mind for the last little while..... Church.

I love going to church. I love the feeling I get when I go. I love learning more about Jesus and Heavenly Father and their Gospel. I love meeting with people who aren't perfect but who also love God and want to learn how to serve Him and be more like Him.

In trying to find a picture that would go along with my topic, I was quite dismayed at what I found when I googled "lds sacrament meeting". There were a couple official church sites but there were also some former church members grumbling about sacrament meeting. (That's why I decided to make my post title something with sacrament meeting in it. Hopefully, it might rise to the top.

I love hymns. I love hearing different people talk about their experiences in how their understanding of the Gospel has helped them in their life. I listening to different people expound on the scriptures so that I can understand them better. I love it. How can anyone make it through a week without it? I haven't even discussed that going to church gives you the opportunity to partake of the sacrament of the Lord's atonement. This gives me the chance to start over and try to do better the next week. I love the "start over" approach the Gospel gives me.

I love church.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The atonement and piano lessons- an analogy


I haven't been able to find the talk on the internet yet, but Brad Wilcox gave a talk on the atonement at the BYU devotional July 12. I didn't hear it, but Casey did and I got a lot out of what she told me. So this is kind of third person, but I wanted to put these thoughts down because it was really helpful to me.

When you were little, your mom paid for your piano lessons. You paid her back by practicing and trying to improve your skills. That is really all she gets from it. You don't actually pay her back. That can be likened to the atonement. Christ pays for your sins. The only way you can really pay him back is to use it to repent and improve yourself but you don't actually pay Him back. He doesn't get any benefit from it other than the joy of watching you learn and grow. It makes me think of the scripture in Moses 1:39:

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.



That is interesting to think about. I have heard that life is God's gift to us, and our gift to Him is what we do with that life.

Also, when you take piano lessons, you are expected to make mistakes. You might even make the same mistakes over and over again, but the more you practice and stick with it, the more likely you are to eventually stop making the mistakes and go on to a harder piece where you will learn to play it by practicing it over and over and make more mistakes.

In our lives, Jesus expects that we will make mistakes as we learn and grow. It is to be expected. We may, in fact, keep making the same mistakes over again. But this is when we must not get discouraged and give up. We need to keep practicing over and over again until we get it right.

What about if we can't play well enough to play at Carnegie Hall? Is that the only option? What about all the levels of playing from beginnner on up? Aren't they worth something too?

In real life, there is value to our lives even if we aren't the absolute best we can be. We keep trying and progressing.

This analogy really helps me in thinking about me in relationship to the atonement of Jesus Christ and what He expects of me. It also reminds me of a post earlier where I talk about the "practicing" aspects of the Gospel. There are scriptures about exercising faith and practicing holiness. That is right in line with the piano practicing analogy. Practicing living aspects of the Gospel and characteristics of Jesus are what this life is all about. When we make mistakes, even if they seem to be the same ones, we keep pressing forward and we don't give up.

Modified 9/18/11: I found this blog that talks more about Br. Wilcox's talk and has the actual link to the talk. She quoted me and linked back to this post! Click here.

Modified 2/8/12: Here is the byutv link for the talk.

Monday, July 11, 2011

I love this quote....

"Live in such a way that people who don't know Christ but know you, will want to know Christ because they know you".

H. David Burton

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Thy Will Be Done

In reading the Sunday School assignment today, I discovered something I never noticed before. When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, according to Matthew, he prayed at least 3 times to ask God to "let the cup pass from him". Matthew 26: 39,42,44

That gives me more insight into how Jesus felt and that He really does know how it feels to do something you really don't want to do. It hadn't occurred to me before that Jesus had prayed to Heavenly Father more than once to ask not to have to suffer in the garden.

Sometimes I have felt bad when I pray more than once asking Heavenly Father to not have to do something I don't want to do. Apparently, it is an understandable human emotion that even Jesus experienced.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Loved of God

“Now, this is the truth. We humble people, we who feel ourselves sometimes so worthless, so good-for-nothing, we are not so worthless as we think. There is not one of us but what God’s love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are children of God and that He has actually given His angels … charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping.”

- George Q. Cannon, (Gospel Truths, comp. Jerreld L. Newquist, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, 1:2.), quoted in May 1989, Ensign.

In my search today, I found this website: nextdoormormon.com This is where I got this quote.

It reminds me a bit of Elder Holland's quote from Gen. Conf. a while ago:

I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church. The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation. Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you. No, don’t turn and look at your neighbor. I am talking to you!

(Because of Your Faith, Nov. 2010 Ensign)

Recognizing our dependence on God....

2 Nephi 20:15

Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!


D & C 59:21

And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Isaiah for Airheads


I think the book Isaiah for Airheads by John Bytheway is a great book to help understand Isaiah. I would highly recommend it.

The reason I bring this up, is because I am in 2 Nephi where Nephi starts putting in the some of the writings of Isaiah.

Here are a couple links to articles John Bytheway has written:
Link
Link

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Desire

I missed this great talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks when he spoke in conference. I am so glad we have the opportunity to study them in the Ensign! This has some powerful messages about desire and the priorities we make in this life. Lots to think about....
Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming.


Readjusting our desires to give highest priority to the things of eternity is not easy. We are all tempted to desire that worldly quartet of property, prominence, pride, and power. We might desire these, but we should not fix them as our highest priorities.


...it is our actions and our desires that cause us to become something, whether a true friend, a gifted teacher, or one who has qualified for eternal life.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Desire" May 2011 Ensign

The full talk

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Faith and Diligence



I am reading in 1 Nephi 16 today and it is talking about the liahona and how it worked. Nephi says that it worked according to their faith and diligence. I know what faith is, but I started thinking about what diligence has to do with faith. The definition of diligence is: careful and persistent work or effort. I think it is another way of saying faith without works is dead.

After Nephi talks about the liahona, he gives us an example of how it works. They were trying to find food and they were all at a point when they were very hungry. Their bows were broken or lost their spring. With hunger looming, many started complaining. Nephi, on the other hand, diligently worked to find a solution. Instead of using what little energy he had complaining, he used it to make another bow and then asked his father where to go look for food. This is a great example of faith and diligence. He had faith that Heavenly Father would take care of them, but he did his part to fix the situation. He didn't expect Heavenly Father to do for him what he could do himself. He did what he could do, and then he relied on God. This is a perfect example of what faith and diligence is all about. Nephi showed plenty of examples of this throughout his life. In fact, the motto of his life could be faith and diligence.

Here is a wonderful article on faith and diligence by Elder Gene R. Cook
.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

It was the best of times; It was the worst of times...

This scripture is in my top 10 favorites:
1 Nephi 1:20

The bad part.....
And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away.



The good part....
But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Another Book of Mormon message

As I have stated in a previous post, if I could sum up the Book of Mormon in just one word, it would be remember. Since I have recently finished reading the Book of Mormon and am now starting at the beginning again, another word has struck me. That word is mercy.

When I was reading in the last chapters of Moroni, I was struck by this part of a verse in the famous Moroni 10:3-5 scripture. This is part of Moroni 10:3:
Moroni 10:3
that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.


Actually, interestingly enough, that verse also uses the word remember! Anyway, as I began the first chapter of 1 Nephi today, I see that this is how the Book of Mormon begins, too:

1 Nephi 1:14-15

14 And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!

15 And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God; for his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled, because of the things which he had seen, yea, which the Lord had shown unto him.


So I see that the Book of Mormon begins with mercy and ends with mercy.
I guess if you put these two words together, then the theme of this great book is "remember the mercy of Jesus Christ".

In reading further on, Nephi makes essentially this same statement:
1 Nephi 19:18 And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Ten Steps to Greater Spirituality

In looking for the quote from Brigham Young in my previous post, I found this talk by Elder Joe J. Christensen. It is such a great talk, I thought I would include the reference in a separate post:
http://lds.org/ensign/1983/06/toward-greater-spirituality-ten-important-steps?lang=eng

Living beneath our privilieges

At times assignments can feel like burdens. Brethren, let us not pass through life immersed in the three Ws: wearied, worrying, and whining. We live beneath our privileges when we allow worldly anchors to keep us away from the abundant joy that comes from faithful and dedicated priesthood service, especially within the walls of our own homes. We live beneath our privileges when we fail to partake of the feast of happiness, peace, and joy that God grants so bountifully to faithful priesthood servants.


This is from the general conference address that Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave in the priesthood session (April 2011, Your Potential, Your Privilege). Though he was talking about priesthood service, I think it is is a relevant message for all of us.

He tells this story which really illustrates the point of living beneath our privileges:
There once was a man whose lifelong dream was to board a cruise ship and sail the Mediterranean Sea. He dreamed of walking the streets of Rome, Athens, and Istanbul. He saved every penny until he had enough for his passage. Since money was tight, he brought an extra suitcase filled with cans of beans, boxes of crackers, and bags of powdered lemonade, and that is what he lived on every day.

He would have loved to take part in the many activities offered on the ship—working out in the gym, playing miniature golf, and swimming in the pool. He envied those who went to movies, shows, and cultural presentations. And, oh, how he yearned for only a taste of the amazing food he saw on the ship—every meal appeared to be a feast! But the man wanted to spend so very little money that he didn’t participate in any of these. He was able to see the cities he had longed to visit, but for the most part of the journey, he stayed in his cabin and ate only his humble food.

On the last day of the cruise, a crew member asked him which of the farewell parties he would be attending. It was then that the man learned that not only the farewell party but almost everything on board the cruise ship—the food, the entertainment, all the activities—had been included in the price of his ticket. Too late the man realized that he had been living far beneath his privileges.


Wow, this is a great talk. Here is another jewel:
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.


His talk reminds me of what Brigham Young said on the topic of living beneath our privileges:
“There is no doubt, if a person lives according to the revelations given to God’s people, he may have the Spirit of the Lord to signify to him his will, and to guide and to direct him in the discharge of his duties, in his temporal as well as his spiritual exercises. I am satisfied, however, that in this respect, we live far beneath our privileges.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. and arr. by John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973, p. 32; emphasis added.)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Faith, Hope, and Charity

I am reading Steve E. Snow's general conference address on Hope. This is a quote from Russell M. Nelson that he used in his message:

“faith is rooted in Jesus Christ. Hope centers in the Atonement. Charity is manifest in the ‘pure love of Christ.’ These three attributes are intertwined like strands in a cable and may not always be precisely distinguished. Together they become our tether to the celestial kingdom” (“A More Excellent Hope,” Ensign, Feb. 1997, 61).


Here is a story he told:

In 1851, Mary Murray Murdoch joined the Church in Scotland as a widow at age 67. A small woman at four feet seven inches (1.2 m) tall and barely 90 pounds (41 kg), she bore eight children, six of whom lived to maturity. Because of her size, her children and grandchildren affectionately called her “Wee Granny.”

Her son John Murdoch and his wife joined the Church and left for Utah in 1852 with their two small children. In spite of his family’s own hardships, four years later John sent his mother the necessary funds so she might join the family in Salt Lake City. With a hope much greater than her small size, Mary began the arduous journey west to Utah at age 73.

After a safe passage across the Atlantic, she ultimately joined the ill-fated Martin handcart company. On July 28 these handcart pioneers began the journey west. The suffering of this company is well known. Of the 576 members of the party, almost one-fourth died before they reached Utah. More would have perished if not for the rescue effort organized by President Brigham Young, who sent wagons and supplies to find the stranded, snowbound Saints.

Mary Murdoch died on October 2, 1856, near Chimney Rock, Nebraska. Here she succumbed to fatigue, exposure, and the hardships of the journey. Her frail body simply gave out under the physical hardships the Saints encountered. As she lay clinging to life, her thoughts were of her family in Utah. The last words of this faithful pioneer woman were “Tell John I died with my face toward Zion.” (See Kenneth W. Merrell, Scottish Shepherd: The Life and Times of John Murray Murdoch, Utah Pioneer [2006], 34, 39, 54, 77, 94–97, 103, 112–13, 115.)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Jesus noticed.


Mark 12: 41-44
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.


Luke 21:1-4
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.


This is such a great story, but the aspect of it that I have been particularly thinking about is that Jesus noticed her. She was of little consequence but Jesus knew her and her sacrifice. Jesus noticed her.


Mark 10:18-22
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

This is a great story too. The aspect of it that I am thinking about is that this person was trying hard to check off all the outward requirements off his list but still had a great deal to do inwardly. No matter. Jesus chastened him a little, but before that, it takes care to mention that Jesus loved him. Even with our flaws, Jesus loves us. He knows what is going on inside whether or not it is evident to others. When it looks like we are doing what's right outwardly, He still knows what our faults are, and loves us.

Jesus noticed.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Weeping is a gift...



So, last night as I was crying at Courtney's choir concert and Casey was laughing at me for doing so, it made me remember an article that I had read in the Ensign a few years back. The article was called "Quick to Observe" and it was by Elder David A. Bednar.(http://lds.org/liahona/2006/12/quick-to-observe?lang=eng) The thing that stood out to me was a quote he included in the article from Elder Marvin J. Ashton. This is what he said that got my attention:

Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.


Anyone that knows me will know why this stood out to me. I had never considered crying as a spiritual gift. Wow- not only do I possess this gift, but I am very good at it! I am the best at this gift of anything else that I do in this life! What a good joke on me! Throughout my life I was thinking that my ability to cry was an affliction, and it turns out that it is a spiritual gift, and, according to Marvin J. Ashton, an important one!

…let me mention a few gifts that are not always evident or noteworthy but that are very important. Among these may be your gifts—gifts not so evident but nevertheless real and valuable.


Who knew? I am officially "gifted"! Don't hate me because I am more gifted than you!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Studying The Book of Mormon is like exploring a castle...



For me, the Book of Mormon is like a vast mansion with gardens, towers, courtyards, and wings. My tour of it has never been completed. Some rooms I have yet to enter, and there are more felicitous fireplaces waiting to warm me. Even the rooms I have glimpsed contained further furnishings and rich detail yet to be savored. There are panels inlaid with incredible insights, and design and décor dating from eden. There are even sumptuous banquet tables painstakingly prepared by predecessors which await all of us. Yet we as church members sometimes behave like hurried tourists, scarcely venturing beyond the entry hall.


This is a quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell (Book of Mormon Symposium, 10 October 1986)

Friday, May 6, 2011

Here's a scripture that never gets old...

Couldn't you read this over and over and feel the same great Spirit from it everytime?

Me, too.

Moroni 10:3-5

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.


When was the last time you pondered how merciful the Lord has been to His children from the creation of Adam? When I read that, it fills me with such a spirit of gratitude to God for His kindnes and tender mercies.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Hard and Harder

Doing what is right is hard, but doing what is wrong is even harder. This is the message I take from the Gospel messages I have read today.

I first started with a talk from General Conference this past April by Russell M. Nelson, entitled "Face the Future with Faith". Here is a quote from it:
Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord “shall suffer persecution.” 12 That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives.

How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of your faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people.


He goes on to say:

Your rewards come not only hereafter. Many blessings will be yours in this life, among your children and grandchildren. You faithful Saints do not have to fight life’s battles alone. Think of that! The Lord declared, “I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” 17 Later came this promise to His faithful people: “I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children’s battles, and their children’s children’s, … to the third and fourth generation.”


Life is hard but we have the help of God and His angels when we obey His commandments and have faith.

Here is what life is like without that help:

Ether 15:

6 And it came to pass that the people repented not of their iniquity;
16 And it came to pass that when it was night they were weary, and retired to their camps; and after they had retired to their camps they took up a howling and a alamentation for the loss of the slain of their people; and so great were their cries, their howlings and lamentations, that they did rend the air exceedingly.

17 And it came to pass that on the morrow they did go again to battle, and great and terrible was that day; nevertheless, they conquered not, and when the night came again they did rend the air with their cries, and their howlings, and their mournings, for the loss of the slain of their people.


That would be, quite simply, a miserable existence. What a true waste of this life!

Life is hard; nobody gets out alive! I end the way I started. My take-home lesson today is that life is hard and very challenging. When we try hard to obey the commandments and have faith, the Lord has promised to fight our battles with us and bear us up. If we choose not to follow the commandments, we fight our own battles and life becomes infinitely harder and miserable.

One more favorite scripture: Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Struggle, Strength, and Faith


I am reading in Ether 12. It is interesting to read that Moroni knew that he was supposed to keep the record. I believe that he wrote it in a language that was not his native language. He writes about how awkward it is to write in the record this way. He knows what he has been commanded to do, and he knows that the Lord has promised that the record will come forth to the Lamanites at a future time. I see Moroni struggling to see that what he is doing is going to be enough to accomplish what the Lord has in mind.

He feels weak. In Ether 12, Moroni talks about faith. Then he talks about weakness. Sometimes it takes faith to keep going when you feel what you are doing isn't enough.


Ether 12:22-28
22 And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their brethren through the Gentiles; therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus Christ.

23 And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them;

24 And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them.

25 Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.

26 And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools bmock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness.


Jesus tries to show us over and over again, that if we have the Spirit with us, and follow it's promptings, whatever He commands us to do will be enough.

Here are a couple scriptures that speak to this:


Ether 12:27
And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.


1 Nephi 3:7
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.



Doctrine and Covenants 50:16

16 Behold ye shall answer this question yourselves; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto you; he that is weak among you hereafter shall be made strong.



2 Corinthians 12:10

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.



Doctrine and Covenants 35:13

13 Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit;


2 Corinthians 12:9

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.




Doctrine and Covenants 1:19

19 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh—




Alma 37:6

6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.




It is like that little baby chicken trying to hatch out of it's egg. It is hard and the little chick struggles and, at times, looks like he won't make it. Trying to get out of the shell makes the chick stronger. If someone helps the chick, the chick isn't strong enough to survive when it gets out. The struggle is what makes us strong.

Faith is needed so that we can believe that in our weakness, the Lord can take our offering and make us stronger and make our offering great.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

More on the Jaredites

I find it interesting that the Lord helped the brother of Jared to light the barges because Jesus is associated with light:


John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.


It is hard to imagine how hard it would have been for the Jaredites to cross the water for almost a year without any light. It would have been impossible. In the same way, it is impossible for us to navigate through our lives if we don't have the light from Christ to guide.

It reminds me of this scripture:


Psalms 119:105

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path
.


While searching around the internet about the Jaredite barges and the lighted stones, I found this article by Hugh Nibley that talks about this very thing. I will put a link here so I can find it again. It is quite a long article and I didn't get to read the whole thing.
http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/books/?bookid=60&chapid=609

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Trials, challenges, tender mercies



I am reading in Ether about Jared and his brother and their journey to the promised land in barges. I feel like it is a metaphor for our journey back to heaven.

I can still remember Andrea Merrill talking about some of the verses in the 6th chapter of Ether during a Primary presidency meeting years ago. She talked about the fact that what got the people of Jared across the sea was the fierce wind that God sent. The harder the wind was blowing, the faster they moved across the water to their intended destination. This can be likened to trials and challenges in our lives. Life is easier when we don't have them, but do we learn and grow as much as when we have challenges in life and have to rely on the Lord more heavily?

Here are some of the verses in Ether 6 that talk about this:

5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.

6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.

7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.

8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.


In reading about how the barges worked, I don't feel like it could have been a very comfortable ride (and it lasted almost a year!), but the Lord gave them light for their journey and when things got especially rough, he would bring them up to the top of the waters. In other words, he didn't give them more than they could handle. Most importantly, they relied on the Lord and He got them where they needed to go.

How did the people of Jared respond to their journey?




9 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.


12 And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.


One last thing, I have done a few posts about tender mercies because that is one of my favorite phrases when it comes to describing God's goodness to His children. Anyway, in those posts, I have never used the above scripture in those posts. How could I have missed that before? Here is yet another scripture testifying to the tender mercy of God to His children.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Practice, practice, practice



What gospel principles will you practice today? Have you done your spiritual exercises?


This whole process of "becoming a saint" takes daily practice and consistent exercise. To get better at anything you simply have to practice. To be like Jesus, we have to try doing the sorts of things he did when He was on earth.

Mosiah 3:19
“For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”


The prophet Heber J. Grant was known for using this quote all the time.

Ralph Waldo Emerson: "That which we persist in doing becomes easy to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our power to do has increased."

I am intrigued by scriptures that tell us to practice holiness or exercise faith. These remind me of this scripture:

John 7:17

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.


We learn and become better at something by doing it. If we want to be virtuous, holy, or have faith in Christ, we need to practice it.

Here are some scriptures where we are told to practice something:


Doctrine and Covenants 38:24

24 And let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practise virtue and holiness before me.

Doctrine and Covenants 46:33

33 And ye must practise virtue and holiness before me continually.


And then there is exercise.....


1 Nephi 7:12

12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.


Doctrine and Covenants 44:2

2 And it shall come to pass, that inasmuch as they are faithful, and exercise faith in me, I will pour out my Spirit upon them in the day that they assemble themselves together.

Doctrine and Covenants 104:80

80 And inasmuch as you are diligent and humble, and exercise the prayer of faith, behold, I will soften the hearts of those to whom you are in debt, until I shall send means unto you for your deliverance.

Alma 34:17

17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you.


Alma 32:27

27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.




So what gospel principles have you practiced or exercised today?