1 Nephi 13:37 (page 26): "And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be."
What is Zion? We often hear that we should be a Zion-like people, but what does that mean? How do we bring forth Zion? These are some of the things that I have been pondering lately. In Doctrine and Covenants 97:21 it states, "...for this is Zion - The Pure in Heart..." What does it mean to be pure in heart? This too, is not easily defined. Some scriptures that help describe the pure in heart include:
-2 Timothy 2:22 "...but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
-1 Peter 1:22 "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently."
-Psalm 24:34 "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart."
As I thought about these scriptures and others I came to the conclusion that those who are "pure in heart" are those who genuinely love and serve others. They are humble followers of Christ, happily doing his bidding without hesitation. They are loving, compassionate, and Christlike. They are those around us who do as Jesus would. As it states in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." This is Zion and I desire it greatly. As I've studied, pondered, and prayed over these things, I've realized my many weaknesses. I've looked at myself more closely through the magnify glass and realized that there are many ways in which I can improve. Oddly enough, this recognition of my weaknesses has not caused me to be down or depressed but rather, it has awakened my soul and stirred within me a desire to greatly improve. I've felt a greater hope and faith within me.
This summer, a local movie theater decided to show the movie 17 Miracles for one week. This movie is about the Willie Handcart Company and its trek across the plains to the Salt Lake Valley. Since I have ancestors who traveled in the Willie Handcart Company, I was really excited to see this movie. In part of the movie, they highlight Mary Murdoch. Her son had already made the trek and was waiting for her in Salt Lake. Unfortunately, Mary Murdoch did not survive the journey. Just before she passed away, she stated, "Tell John, I died with my face toward Zion." Her profound statement touched me greatly and caused me to think about the significance of what she said. What does it mean to have our face toward Zion? It brought to mind a favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon. Alma 37:46-47 (pate 304) states, "O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. the way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever. And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live..." It is easier to focus our time and our energy on something when we look to it. If we have our backs toward Zion, then it will never come to be. On the other hand, if we look to it, focus on it, strive for it - then it is within our reach.
In the last General Conference, Elder Carl B. Cook shared a story about how after a long and difficult day shortly after he was called to be a General Authority, he packed his briefcase and got into the elevator to go home. He felt overwhelmed and down. His briefcase was heavy in his hand and he stared down at his shoes. The elevator door opened and someone stepped in, but he didn't look up. He continued to stare down at his shoes. Suddenly, he heard President Monson's voice asking how he was doing. Then he put his hand on Elder Cook's shoulder, pointed heavenward and said, "It's easier to look up!"
What does this mean for us today? How do we apply these principles in our own, busy lives? 1 Timothy 4:12 states, "Let no man despise they youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." How important is our example? Does it really make a difference?
There are many examples in the scriptures that I could list but there are two from the Book of Mormon that I would like to mention. First, the Anti Nephi Lehi's. These are those Lamanites who were converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ after being taught by Ammon and the other sons of Mosiah. In describing them, it states in Alma 27:27,30 (page 276-277): "And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end. And they were a zealous and beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lord." These were people who were true to the faith and true to their covenants. As we read further in the Book of Mormon, we learn that their great example inspired their young sons to have the faith of giants who feared not death and doubted not God. (Alma 56:47-48 page 350-351). Their examples of faith had a great impact on their children and continue to inspire millions who read their story from the pages of the Book of Mormon.
I love to think of how many people they have inspired and uplifted. Likewise, a bad example can also have a great impact. We can learn this from Alma the Younger's son Corianton who allowed himself to commit serious sin. In Alma 39:11 (page 306) we read, "Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots. Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words." Unfortunately, many would never believe in Alma's words because of the bad example set by his son.
1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
What kind of an example are we setting? Five years ago, while attending a servicemen group's fast and testimony meeting, a young Airman stood and bore his testimony. I do not remember his name but I will forever remember his words. In his testimony, he talked about the difficulties that come with being a Latter-Day Saint in the Air Force. He talked about the temptations that were constantly thrown his way and he mentioned seeing others who were members of the church falter. He then stated, "Live such so that people aren't surprised to discover that you are a Mormon!" We are different! We are a peculiar people and others recognize that. Whether we want to or not, we represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. People base their opinion of the church by our examples. Are we representing it well?!
In a letter to his son, President Brigham Young stated, "The strength of Zion is in the virtue of her sons and daughters." Elder Dallin H. Oaks said in his last general conference address, "There is no middle ground. We are followers of Jesus Christ. Our citizenship is in His church and His gospel, and we should not use a visa to visit Babylon or act like one of its citizens. We should honor His name, keep His commandments, and 'see not the things of this world but seek...first to built up the kingdom of God, and to establish His righteousness' (Matt 6:33)" I have been guilty of keeping a foot in Babylon. In these times, where Satan is working extra hard with the little time he has left, that is very dangerous. Even a toe is something he can grab onto.
In the Oct 2011 Conference, President Monson stated, "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." Have I been surrendering my chance for eternal life? This question can feel very overwhelming. A new Mormon Messages was recently released with Elder Russell M. Nelson sharing an experience he had while flying on a commercial airliner. I was greatly touched by his testimony when he said, "...to the individual who is weak in the heart, fearful in the heart. Be patient with yourself. Perfection comes not in this life but in the next life. Don't demand things that are unreasonable, but demand of yourself improvement. As you let the Lord help you through that, He will make the difference." We don't need to be overwhelmed. We can do so much and when we feel like we can't do any more, the Lord will be there to "make the difference"!
Zion is something that we can achieve. We can be the stripling warriors of today. We can be faithful, true at all times, keeping the commandments with exactness. Even with the chaos that surrounds us, there can be Zion within!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Remember
Helaman 5:12 (page 378): "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."
This is my favorite scripture in The Book of Mormon. It has been since I was a teenager. It is a verse that I turn to often. It strengthens me when I struggle, it comforts me when I suffer and it encourages me to refocus when I falter. It teaches of the great importance a testimony of Jesus Christ is. I am grateful for the testimony that I have of my Savior.
Recently there has been a lot of national discussion about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We, as Mormons, have been accused of not being Christians but instead as being members of a cult. As a Latter-Day Saint, I was shocked and saddened when I first heard these accusations. I was frustrated with the misrepresentation and half truths that were given. I felt a great desire within me to proclaim the truth for all the world to hear but felt small, insignificant, and completely helpless. I was happily surprised to see many who are not members of my faith stand and proudly defend it. Despite my feelings of inadequacy, I wanted to add my voice and testimony as well.
Having grown up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was quite perplexed by the notion that we are not Christians. I understand that there are some doctrinal differences between us and most other christian churches, but I don't understand how these differences somehow disqualify us as believers and followers of Christ. Throughout my life, I have been taught the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We use the King James version of The Bible and study it often. We firmly believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world and I believe that He is my personal Savior. I know that salvation can only come through Jesus Christ. I do my best to follow His teachings each and every day and when I do something wrong, I do my part to right it. I am trying to be a better person. How can I not be a Christian?
Matthew 7:20 states, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them". I don't need a theologian or even a dictionary to define what a Christian is. To me, Christians can't really be defined with a simple explanation. Their acts define them. When I think of a Christian, I imagine someone who thinks less of themselves and more of others. I imagine someone who not only finds time to help others but actively searches for those opportunities. I imagine someone who is never weary to lend a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or arms to lift another up. These types of selfless acts of love and compassion come from true Christians.
I love the phrase, "What Would Jesus Do". It helps me to stop and take a moment for reflection. It helps me to do what is right. I still have a lot to work on and change about me. I can be quite prideful and selfish at times. I'm not as forgiving as I should be. I have a temper. Despite these and many other faults, I am trying to change my ways and my heart. I know that turning to Christ will help me to become more like Him. I hope to find ways everyday where I can reach out and help another, even if it's only something small.
2 Nephi 25:26 (page 100) states, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins". I highly encourage anyone who sincerely wants to learn more to visit mormon.org.
This is my favorite scripture in The Book of Mormon. It has been since I was a teenager. It is a verse that I turn to often. It strengthens me when I struggle, it comforts me when I suffer and it encourages me to refocus when I falter. It teaches of the great importance a testimony of Jesus Christ is. I am grateful for the testimony that I have of my Savior.
Recently there has been a lot of national discussion about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We, as Mormons, have been accused of not being Christians but instead as being members of a cult. As a Latter-Day Saint, I was shocked and saddened when I first heard these accusations. I was frustrated with the misrepresentation and half truths that were given. I felt a great desire within me to proclaim the truth for all the world to hear but felt small, insignificant, and completely helpless. I was happily surprised to see many who are not members of my faith stand and proudly defend it. Despite my feelings of inadequacy, I wanted to add my voice and testimony as well.
Having grown up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was quite perplexed by the notion that we are not Christians. I understand that there are some doctrinal differences between us and most other christian churches, but I don't understand how these differences somehow disqualify us as believers and followers of Christ. Throughout my life, I have been taught the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We use the King James version of The Bible and study it often. We firmly believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world and I believe that He is my personal Savior. I know that salvation can only come through Jesus Christ. I do my best to follow His teachings each and every day and when I do something wrong, I do my part to right it. I am trying to be a better person. How can I not be a Christian?
Matthew 7:20 states, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them". I don't need a theologian or even a dictionary to define what a Christian is. To me, Christians can't really be defined with a simple explanation. Their acts define them. When I think of a Christian, I imagine someone who thinks less of themselves and more of others. I imagine someone who not only finds time to help others but actively searches for those opportunities. I imagine someone who is never weary to lend a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or arms to lift another up. These types of selfless acts of love and compassion come from true Christians.
I love the phrase, "What Would Jesus Do". It helps me to stop and take a moment for reflection. It helps me to do what is right. I still have a lot to work on and change about me. I can be quite prideful and selfish at times. I'm not as forgiving as I should be. I have a temper. Despite these and many other faults, I am trying to change my ways and my heart. I know that turning to Christ will help me to become more like Him. I hope to find ways everyday where I can reach out and help another, even if it's only something small.
2 Nephi 25:26 (page 100) states, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins". I highly encourage anyone who sincerely wants to learn more to visit mormon.org.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Stand as a Bright Testimony
Mosiah 3:24 (page 154): "And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgement day..."
At this time in the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin is addressing his people a final time as their king. He commanded the people to gather in one place so that they could hear his words. He felt it necessary to share with them his testimony of the Savior. He mentions in verse 23 that he had "spoken the words which the Lord had commanded" him and it is his words that stand as a bright testimony. When I first put a box around the words "stand as a bright testimony" an image of the Young Women logo entered my mind.
image received from lds.org
As a young woman, I loved the image represented in the young woman logo. It would bring to mind Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." I felt the Spirit burn within my soul and knew that I could be a light for others to see. I could see and feel my divine potential and knew that if I followed the teachings of the Savior, I could become a powerful tool and a force for good. We can be a bright testimony and example!
We often hear the phrase "actions speak louder than words". A few years ago, my husband served in a serviceman's group at the local military base. These young soldiers were only at the base for a short time for training, but the serviceman's group was a place for the LDS members to meet and participate in Sabbath meetings. I would often attend the meetings with my husband and enjoyed the Spirit that these young airmen brought with them. During one fast and testimony meeting, a young man stood to share his feelings of the gospel and to testify of the Savior. I don't remember his name, but I will never forget the way his testimony touched me that day. He shared a personal story about being in the military as a member of the Church and it's unique difficulties. He talked about the importance of being an example and representative of the Savior. At the conclusion of his testimony, he challenged all of us to live in such a way that others will not be surprised to find out that we are a Mormon. He challenged us to always represent the Church well. His words made me ponder and recall my own actions throughout life. Had I been a good example? Had I ever slipped and left a bad impression? How was I representing the Lord?
I thought of 1 Timothy 4:12, "...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Our actions speak loudly. People watch us, carefully, to see how we will react to different situations. Naturally, others are curious about our faith and want to see if we truly live it. In the Book of Mormon, there are many examples of those who live their faith well, but there are also many examples of what happens when others choose to not follow the principles of the gospel. In Alma 39:11 (page 306), Alma is talking with his son Corianton, who behaved badly while they were out spreading the gospel. Alma states, "...Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words." Our examples can help build the kingdom of God but, if we are not careful, we can also keep others from accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Savior Jesus Christ is the perfect example. After the Savior washed the apostle's feet, he said in John 13:15, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." He taught by example that the apostles should love and serve one another. In 3 Nephi 18:24 (page 443) he stated to the Nephites, "Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up--that which ye have seen me do..." If we follow our perfect example, the Savior Jesus Christ, we truly can be a bright testimony for others to see. We can be a beacon of hope, a healing touch, an answered prayer. This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
At this time in the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin is addressing his people a final time as their king. He commanded the people to gather in one place so that they could hear his words. He felt it necessary to share with them his testimony of the Savior. He mentions in verse 23 that he had "spoken the words which the Lord had commanded" him and it is his words that stand as a bright testimony. When I first put a box around the words "stand as a bright testimony" an image of the Young Women logo entered my mind.
image received from lds.orgWe often hear the phrase "actions speak louder than words". A few years ago, my husband served in a serviceman's group at the local military base. These young soldiers were only at the base for a short time for training, but the serviceman's group was a place for the LDS members to meet and participate in Sabbath meetings. I would often attend the meetings with my husband and enjoyed the Spirit that these young airmen brought with them. During one fast and testimony meeting, a young man stood to share his feelings of the gospel and to testify of the Savior. I don't remember his name, but I will never forget the way his testimony touched me that day. He shared a personal story about being in the military as a member of the Church and it's unique difficulties. He talked about the importance of being an example and representative of the Savior. At the conclusion of his testimony, he challenged all of us to live in such a way that others will not be surprised to find out that we are a Mormon. He challenged us to always represent the Church well. His words made me ponder and recall my own actions throughout life. Had I been a good example? Had I ever slipped and left a bad impression? How was I representing the Lord?
I thought of 1 Timothy 4:12, "...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Our actions speak loudly. People watch us, carefully, to see how we will react to different situations. Naturally, others are curious about our faith and want to see if we truly live it. In the Book of Mormon, there are many examples of those who live their faith well, but there are also many examples of what happens when others choose to not follow the principles of the gospel. In Alma 39:11 (page 306), Alma is talking with his son Corianton, who behaved badly while they were out spreading the gospel. Alma states, "...Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words." Our examples can help build the kingdom of God but, if we are not careful, we can also keep others from accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Savior Jesus Christ is the perfect example. After the Savior washed the apostle's feet, he said in John 13:15, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." He taught by example that the apostles should love and serve one another. In 3 Nephi 18:24 (page 443) he stated to the Nephites, "Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up--that which ye have seen me do..." If we follow our perfect example, the Savior Jesus Christ, we truly can be a bright testimony for others to see. We can be a beacon of hope, a healing touch, an answered prayer. This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Reminder!
Just a quick reminder to check out the slide show at the bottom of the page. Be sure to have your speakers on because the music is absolutely amazing! I watch this often and have yet to get through it without shedding tears. I love the Spirit it brings! It testifies to me each time I watch it that the Book of Mormon bears solemn testimony that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the World. I hope that you enjoy it as well.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Taught by their Mothers
Alma 56:47 (page 350): "Now they never had fought yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them."
In this verse, Helaman is informing Moroni about some of his soldiers known as the 2000 Stripling Warriors and their great faith in the Lord. As I have read and studied about the Stripling Warriors, I have often been amazed at their strength, courage, and faith in the Lord. I have been in awe that such characteristics have been fostered and built from the teachings and testimonies of their mothers. In this motto, I would like to focus on the great role and responsibility that parents have in raising their children. A task that has been given to parents since the beginning of time and has a great importance in these latter days.
As a mother of two very young children and a third on the way, I have worried, stressed, pondered, and prayed about what I can do to teach my children the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have found much comfort and encouragement as I have studied the scriptures and the teachings of latter day prophets and apostles. I continue to learn and have so much more yet to learn but I hope to share some of these things along with my testimony with hopes that the Spirit may touch and help others in seeing this divine role that has been given to us as stewards of the Lord's children here on earth.
In Proverbs 22:6 it states, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." The Book of Mormon begins, "I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." I am eternally grateful for goodly parents who taught me in my youth the ways of the Lord through their shining examples. I owe so much of who I am today to my loving parents and I hope that I can do the same for my own children.
I have a great love of all scripture, but I especially hold the Book of Mormon dear to my heart. There are many great examples of goodly parents within its pages. Lehi, Alma, Helaman, and Mormon are just a few. Some of my favorite chapters and passages are the words of loving fathers bearing testimony to their children. In Helaman 5:12 (page 378), Helaman is teaching his two sons, Nephi and Lehi, before they leave to preach the gospel to others, "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." This is my favorite verse in the Book of Mormon and when I read it I can feel the love of this father. I feel the love he has for the gospel but especially the love he has for his two boys who are about to leave on a dangerous mission. As we read further we see how these two sons were able to perform miracles because of their great faith in the Lord. A faith that they had to gain for themselves but that was directed and aided by the love and testimony of a parent. Like Helaman, we can help our children build on such a foundation.
Today, we are blessed to have prophets and apostles on the earth who hold the Lord's authority and therefore can teach us His word. In The Family, A Proclamation To The World (you can read it here.) it states, "Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives-mothers and fathers-will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations." How do we accomplish such a daunting task in a world filled with great filth and wickedness? The Proclamation continues on saying, "Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." I was amazed at how many talks during this last General Conference in April were about the important role parents have in teaching their children. There is so much wonderful information that I couldn't possibly share all of it here, but all of the talks can be accessed here. It is obvious that this is important to the Lord and therefore should be important to us.
In his General Conference address this past April, President Eyering said, "Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child's life to put feet firmly on the path home." I know that this is true. I know that now is the time for us to perform our labors (Alma 34:32 page 295). It won't be easy. It is a lifelong responsibility. It can, however, be done and be done well if we follow the promptings of the Spirit, pray with all energy of heart (Moroni 7:48 page 524) and teach by example. It is my hope and prayer that I can do this for my children and like the Stripling Warriors they may someday say, "We do not doubt our mother knew it" (Alma 56:48 page 351). This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
In this verse, Helaman is informing Moroni about some of his soldiers known as the 2000 Stripling Warriors and their great faith in the Lord. As I have read and studied about the Stripling Warriors, I have often been amazed at their strength, courage, and faith in the Lord. I have been in awe that such characteristics have been fostered and built from the teachings and testimonies of their mothers. In this motto, I would like to focus on the great role and responsibility that parents have in raising their children. A task that has been given to parents since the beginning of time and has a great importance in these latter days.
As a mother of two very young children and a third on the way, I have worried, stressed, pondered, and prayed about what I can do to teach my children the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have found much comfort and encouragement as I have studied the scriptures and the teachings of latter day prophets and apostles. I continue to learn and have so much more yet to learn but I hope to share some of these things along with my testimony with hopes that the Spirit may touch and help others in seeing this divine role that has been given to us as stewards of the Lord's children here on earth.
In Proverbs 22:6 it states, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." The Book of Mormon begins, "I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." I am eternally grateful for goodly parents who taught me in my youth the ways of the Lord through their shining examples. I owe so much of who I am today to my loving parents and I hope that I can do the same for my own children.
I have a great love of all scripture, but I especially hold the Book of Mormon dear to my heart. There are many great examples of goodly parents within its pages. Lehi, Alma, Helaman, and Mormon are just a few. Some of my favorite chapters and passages are the words of loving fathers bearing testimony to their children. In Helaman 5:12 (page 378), Helaman is teaching his two sons, Nephi and Lehi, before they leave to preach the gospel to others, "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." This is my favorite verse in the Book of Mormon and when I read it I can feel the love of this father. I feel the love he has for the gospel but especially the love he has for his two boys who are about to leave on a dangerous mission. As we read further we see how these two sons were able to perform miracles because of their great faith in the Lord. A faith that they had to gain for themselves but that was directed and aided by the love and testimony of a parent. Like Helaman, we can help our children build on such a foundation.
Today, we are blessed to have prophets and apostles on the earth who hold the Lord's authority and therefore can teach us His word. In The Family, A Proclamation To The World (you can read it here.) it states, "Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives-mothers and fathers-will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations." How do we accomplish such a daunting task in a world filled with great filth and wickedness? The Proclamation continues on saying, "Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." I was amazed at how many talks during this last General Conference in April were about the important role parents have in teaching their children. There is so much wonderful information that I couldn't possibly share all of it here, but all of the talks can be accessed here. It is obvious that this is important to the Lord and therefore should be important to us.
In his General Conference address this past April, President Eyering said, "Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child's life to put feet firmly on the path home." I know that this is true. I know that now is the time for us to perform our labors (Alma 34:32 page 295). It won't be easy. It is a lifelong responsibility. It can, however, be done and be done well if we follow the promptings of the Spirit, pray with all energy of heart (Moroni 7:48 page 524) and teach by example. It is my hope and prayer that I can do this for my children and like the Stripling Warriors they may someday say, "We do not doubt our mother knew it" (Alma 56:48 page 351). This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Message
1 Nephi 11:13-15 (page 20)
And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou? And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.
1 Nephi 11:18-21 (page 20)
And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!
1 Nephi 11:27-28, (page 21)
And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove.
1 Nephi 11:311-33 (page 21)
And he spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out. And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record. And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.
Alma 34:8-9 (page 293)
And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it. For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.
Alma 42:14-15 (page312)
And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence. And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.
2 Nephi 2:6-9 (page 57)
Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.
2 Nephi 31:20 (page 114)
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father; Ye shall have eternal life.
Ether 12:41 (page 511-12)
And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen.
And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou? And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.
1 Nephi 11:18-21 (page 20)
And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!
1 Nephi 11:27-28, (page 21)
And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove.
1 Nephi 11:311-33 (page 21)
And he spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out. And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record. And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.
Alma 34:8-9 (page 293)
And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it. For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.
Alma 42:14-15 (page312)
And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence. And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.
2 Nephi 2:6-9 (page 57)
Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.
2 Nephi 31:20 (page 114)
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father; Ye shall have eternal life.
Ether 12:41 (page 511-12)
And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wax Strong in the Spirit
Mosiah 18:26 (page 182): "And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God."
After being converted, Alma began preaching the gospel to others. Having authority, he baptized many and ordained priests to teach the people. Like the Church of Jesus Christ today, these priests were not payed for their service. Their reward would come as a strengthening of the Spirit, making them better servants of the Lord as they taught with "power and authority from God." As I've read this verse, I've pondered why it is important to have the Spirit in my life and what I can do to strengthen my own spirituality.
1 Corinthians 12:7 states, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." I recently read Elder Richard G. Scott's talk from this last General Conference session in October (you can read it here). This talk is absolutely amazing and I recommend reading the whole talk. He discusses how to acquire spiritual guidance. He quotes President John Taylor, who wrote, "Joseph Smith, upwards of forty years ago, said to me: 'Brother Taylor, you have received the Holy Ghost. Now follow the influence of that Spirit, and it will lead you into all truth, until by and by, it will become in you a principle of revelation.'" Elder Scott explains that "spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it." He gives two examples where he was able to receive personal revelation during Sunday School lessons. In the first example, the teacher had a difficult time expressing his thoughts and explaining the principles. Elder Scott was touched by the teacher's evident sincerity and began to receive spiritual promptings. As he received them, he wrote them down. Talking about these promptings, Elder Scott said, "the details of the communication are sacred and, like a patriarchal blessing, were for my individual benefit. I was given specific directions, instructions, and conditioned promises that have beneficially altered the course of my life." Wow. When I first read this, the Spirit testified to me that Elder Scott is an apostle of the Lord. What an amazing example that he has given us. There have been many times where I have been given promptings of further enlightenment during talks or lessens and while I recognized them as promptings of the Spirit, I failed to record my thoughts and feelings. I may have missed opportunities to receive something that would have been both precious and sacred to me.
In the second example that Elder Scott gives, he also received promptings during a Sunday School lesson. Again, he began to record the promptings until he felt that they were too personal to record them in that setting. When he returned home, he finished writing down the promptings he had received. He reviewed them, pondered them, and then asked the Lord if there was more for him to receive. More impressions came. He studied and pondered these and asked the Lord again if there was more. Again, more impressions came. Speaking of this experience, Elder Scott said, "when the last, most sacred experience was concluded, I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance... I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you." How many times have we missed out on what the Lord is willing to give to us?
In a revelation given to Joseph Smith, recorded in Doctrine in Covenants 46:28, it states, "and it shall come to pass that he that asketh in Spirit shall receive in Spirit." The Lord wants to give us a greater knowledge and understanding of the gospel, but we must do our part to receive it. The Spirit can teach us the simple truths of the gospel and open our minds to the mysteries of God (1 Nephi 10:19, page 19). Moroni 10:5 (page 529) teaches us, "and by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. All that I know to be true has been given to me through the Spirit. It is something that I can't give to somebody else. It is something that I have a difficult time explaining or describing, but it is something that I can't deny because I've felt the burning in my bosom and I've heard the soft whisperings of the Spirit. I've experienced it time and time again as I pray to my Father in Heaven, read His word, and ponder it's meaning and importance. This important principle, waxing strong in the Spirit, is something that doesn't happen overnight. It takes faith, work, and dedication, but if we are willing to do this, our spirituality will become a great strength that we will be able to use in helping the Lord. Ether 12:27 (page 510) says, "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." This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
After being converted, Alma began preaching the gospel to others. Having authority, he baptized many and ordained priests to teach the people. Like the Church of Jesus Christ today, these priests were not payed for their service. Their reward would come as a strengthening of the Spirit, making them better servants of the Lord as they taught with "power and authority from God." As I've read this verse, I've pondered why it is important to have the Spirit in my life and what I can do to strengthen my own spirituality.
1 Corinthians 12:7 states, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." I recently read Elder Richard G. Scott's talk from this last General Conference session in October (you can read it here). This talk is absolutely amazing and I recommend reading the whole talk. He discusses how to acquire spiritual guidance. He quotes President John Taylor, who wrote, "Joseph Smith, upwards of forty years ago, said to me: 'Brother Taylor, you have received the Holy Ghost. Now follow the influence of that Spirit, and it will lead you into all truth, until by and by, it will become in you a principle of revelation.'" Elder Scott explains that "spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it." He gives two examples where he was able to receive personal revelation during Sunday School lessons. In the first example, the teacher had a difficult time expressing his thoughts and explaining the principles. Elder Scott was touched by the teacher's evident sincerity and began to receive spiritual promptings. As he received them, he wrote them down. Talking about these promptings, Elder Scott said, "the details of the communication are sacred and, like a patriarchal blessing, were for my individual benefit. I was given specific directions, instructions, and conditioned promises that have beneficially altered the course of my life." Wow. When I first read this, the Spirit testified to me that Elder Scott is an apostle of the Lord. What an amazing example that he has given us. There have been many times where I have been given promptings of further enlightenment during talks or lessens and while I recognized them as promptings of the Spirit, I failed to record my thoughts and feelings. I may have missed opportunities to receive something that would have been both precious and sacred to me.
In the second example that Elder Scott gives, he also received promptings during a Sunday School lesson. Again, he began to record the promptings until he felt that they were too personal to record them in that setting. When he returned home, he finished writing down the promptings he had received. He reviewed them, pondered them, and then asked the Lord if there was more for him to receive. More impressions came. He studied and pondered these and asked the Lord again if there was more. Again, more impressions came. Speaking of this experience, Elder Scott said, "when the last, most sacred experience was concluded, I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance... I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you." How many times have we missed out on what the Lord is willing to give to us?
In a revelation given to Joseph Smith, recorded in Doctrine in Covenants 46:28, it states, "and it shall come to pass that he that asketh in Spirit shall receive in Spirit." The Lord wants to give us a greater knowledge and understanding of the gospel, but we must do our part to receive it. The Spirit can teach us the simple truths of the gospel and open our minds to the mysteries of God (1 Nephi 10:19, page 19). Moroni 10:5 (page 529) teaches us, "and by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. All that I know to be true has been given to me through the Spirit. It is something that I can't give to somebody else. It is something that I have a difficult time explaining or describing, but it is something that I can't deny because I've felt the burning in my bosom and I've heard the soft whisperings of the Spirit. I've experienced it time and time again as I pray to my Father in Heaven, read His word, and ponder it's meaning and importance. This important principle, waxing strong in the Spirit, is something that doesn't happen overnight. It takes faith, work, and dedication, but if we are willing to do this, our spirituality will become a great strength that we will be able to use in helping the Lord. Ether 12:27 (page 510) says, "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." This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Labor Diligently
Moroni 9:6 (page 527): "And now, my beloved son, not withstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God."
This chapter is a letter that Mormon has written to his son, Moroni. At this time there were very few believers among the Nephites. In fact, Mormon mentions in verse 20 that the Nephites were more wicked than their enemies, the Lamanites. I believe that the Book of Mormon has come forth to help us in our day and there is something very important that we can learn from Mormon's great example.
There is a lot of work that the Lord needs us to do. It can feel very overwhelming at times. Alma 34:32 (page 295) tells us, "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." When I read this verse, I feel a heightened sense of and desire to do my duty to God (Alma 7:22, page 206), but I also feel anxiety as I ponder the tasks the Lord needs me to do. I find myself wondering how I can possibly do it all. It is at this point that I remember that the Lord has given us all we need to succeed in gaining our own salvation and all that we need in order to help those around us.
Where do we start? I recommend starting small and then adding to it. The Lord gives us "line upon line, precept upon precept" (2 Nephi 28:30, page 109). He doesn't expect us to bite off more than we chew, but he expects us to work hard, do our best, and progress each day. When we slip and fall, we can use the amazing blessing of the Atonement to repent of our sins and continue forward, bringing about good as we diligently labor. In a revelation given to Joseph Smith, recorded in D&C 58:27, it says, "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness." We can help move the Lord's work along as we serve him with all our heart, might, mind, and strength (D&C 4:2). This service will bless ourselves and others. There is great work to be done and the Lord needs us on His side. One of my favorite Hymns is We Are All Enlisted (Hymn #250). It states:
We are all enlisted till the conflict is o'er;
Happy are we! Happy are we!
Soldiers in the army, there's a bright crown in store;
We shall win and wear it by and by.
Haste to the battle, quick to the field;
Truth is our helmet, buckler, and shield
Stand by our colors; proudly they wave!
We're joyfully, joyfully, marching to our home.
Hark! the sound of battle sounding loudly and clear;
Come join the ranks! Come join the ranks!
We are waiting now for soldiers; who'll volunteer?
Rally round the standard of the cross.
Hark! 'tis our Captain calls you today;
Lose not a moment, make no delay!
Fight for our Savior; come, come away!
We're joyfully, joyfully marching to our home.
Fighting for a kingdom, and the world is our foe;
Happy are we! Happy are we!
Glad to join the army, we will sing as we go;
We shall gain the vict'ry by and by.
Dangers may gather-why should we fear?
Jesus, our Leader, ever is near.
He will protect us, comfort, and cheer.
We're joyfully, joyfully marching to our home.
I love to sing this hymn because it is a happy, joyful tune that inspires me with the Spirit. It excites and readies me for the battle that lies ahead. A battle we must fight daily for the Lord. I know that the Lord will bless us greatly if we work hard for His sake. He promises in Matt. 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavey laden, and I will give you rest." Life is short. We are reminded of this often as we witness the passing of our friends and family, but I know that if we work hard at the Lord's errand we will find His rest in this life and in the next. Serving God will bring us true happiness and joy. This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
This chapter is a letter that Mormon has written to his son, Moroni. At this time there were very few believers among the Nephites. In fact, Mormon mentions in verse 20 that the Nephites were more wicked than their enemies, the Lamanites. I believe that the Book of Mormon has come forth to help us in our day and there is something very important that we can learn from Mormon's great example.
There is a lot of work that the Lord needs us to do. It can feel very overwhelming at times. Alma 34:32 (page 295) tells us, "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." When I read this verse, I feel a heightened sense of and desire to do my duty to God (Alma 7:22, page 206), but I also feel anxiety as I ponder the tasks the Lord needs me to do. I find myself wondering how I can possibly do it all. It is at this point that I remember that the Lord has given us all we need to succeed in gaining our own salvation and all that we need in order to help those around us.
Where do we start? I recommend starting small and then adding to it. The Lord gives us "line upon line, precept upon precept" (2 Nephi 28:30, page 109). He doesn't expect us to bite off more than we chew, but he expects us to work hard, do our best, and progress each day. When we slip and fall, we can use the amazing blessing of the Atonement to repent of our sins and continue forward, bringing about good as we diligently labor. In a revelation given to Joseph Smith, recorded in D&C 58:27, it says, "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness." We can help move the Lord's work along as we serve him with all our heart, might, mind, and strength (D&C 4:2). This service will bless ourselves and others. There is great work to be done and the Lord needs us on His side. One of my favorite Hymns is We Are All Enlisted (Hymn #250). It states:
We are all enlisted till the conflict is o'er;
Happy are we! Happy are we!
Soldiers in the army, there's a bright crown in store;
We shall win and wear it by and by.
Haste to the battle, quick to the field;
Truth is our helmet, buckler, and shield
Stand by our colors; proudly they wave!
We're joyfully, joyfully, marching to our home.
Hark! the sound of battle sounding loudly and clear;
Come join the ranks! Come join the ranks!
We are waiting now for soldiers; who'll volunteer?
Rally round the standard of the cross.
Hark! 'tis our Captain calls you today;
Lose not a moment, make no delay!
Fight for our Savior; come, come away!
We're joyfully, joyfully marching to our home.
Fighting for a kingdom, and the world is our foe;
Happy are we! Happy are we!
Glad to join the army, we will sing as we go;
We shall gain the vict'ry by and by.
Dangers may gather-why should we fear?
Jesus, our Leader, ever is near.
He will protect us, comfort, and cheer.
We're joyfully, joyfully marching to our home.
I love to sing this hymn because it is a happy, joyful tune that inspires me with the Spirit. It excites and readies me for the battle that lies ahead. A battle we must fight daily for the Lord. I know that the Lord will bless us greatly if we work hard for His sake. He promises in Matt. 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavey laden, and I will give you rest." Life is short. We are reminded of this often as we witness the passing of our friends and family, but I know that if we work hard at the Lord's errand we will find His rest in this life and in the next. Serving God will bring us true happiness and joy. This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Have ye inquired of the Lord?
1 Nephi 15:8 (page 30): "And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?"
When Lehi told his family about the vision he had about the tree of life, his sons were confused and didn't understand the meaning of it. Nephi, the youngest, had a righteous desire to have a greater comprehension of his father's dream. 1 Nephi 10:17 & 19 (pages 18-19) states: "And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in his vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God-and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come- I , Nephi, was desirious also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him...For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." Nephi understood the notion ask and ye shall receive. Following this he was given the same vision that his father saw along with an interpretation of the vision and so much more. (1 Nephi 11-14, pages 19-30) After seeing the vision, Nephi returned to where his family was staying, where he found his brothers arguing about the meaning of the vision. After asking them if they went to the Lord for understanding, he stated in 1 Nephi 15:11 (page 31), "Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?-If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."
I love what we can learn here about prayer and its importance in our relationship with our Father in Heaven. If we are humble, keep the commandments, and ask in faith, then the Lord will open our minds and help us understand His mysteries. The Lord asks us to put forth effort. He asks us to test our faith. Ether 12:6 (page 509) says, "...for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." We can turn to the Lord for anything, and we should. He is waiting with open arms to give us the answers our souls desire. He wants to comfort and guide us through our lives. He wants to be a part of each and every day. We are His children and He wants to show His love for us. But, we have to do our part. When you feel lost or confused, ask yourself, "have ye inquired of the Lord?"
There are a lot of great examples of this principle, but I want to share the experience of Joseph Smith. When he was fourteen years old, he read James 1:5-6 which states, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering..." After reading this verse, he decided to go to a grove of trees to ask the Lord in prayer which church he should join. This led to his beautiful vision of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and later the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ in its fullness-all because a young boy asked in prayer. (You can view a video about Joseph Smith's experience here. First click on "Truth Restored" just above the blue box at the bottom, then click "view video" under The Restoration DVD)
I know that the Lord hears and answers our prayers. I have had countless experiences where He has answered mine. My knowledge of this began when I was just eight years old. I lost my earing and was very worried that I wouldn't find it because it was a very small stud. After searching for some time, I remembered that I had been taught to pray when I needed help. I went into my room and asked the Lord to help me find this lost earing. On completion of my prayer, I decided to resume my search. While walking out to the family room, I stepped on it, poking me in the foot. I laughed at the irony and then realized that there was no irony in it at all. The Lord was waiting to help me. He cared, because I cared.
When I was a teenager, I had a seminary teacher share with us that if we needed to feel the Lord's love, all we needed to do was ask Him and He would be unable to hold His love from us. I decided that I wanted to try this out because like all teenagers, I was needing comfort and guidance. After dinner, I took solitary in my bedroom, kneeled next to my bed, and prayed. Instantly after asking the Lord if He loved me, my entire body was filled with warmth. I began to cry at the overwhelming outpouring of love that I felt. I can not explain it with words, but I know and will always know that my Father in Heaven loves me very much.
I know that the power of prayer is real. I know that we can turn to our Father in Heaven for answers. He will enlighten our minds with His Spirit. He will give us a greater understanding of His teachings. He will comfort us in times of need and He will strenthen us when we are weak. I hope and pray that you will do as Nephi and "inquire of the Lord". This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
When Lehi told his family about the vision he had about the tree of life, his sons were confused and didn't understand the meaning of it. Nephi, the youngest, had a righteous desire to have a greater comprehension of his father's dream. 1 Nephi 10:17 & 19 (pages 18-19) states: "And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in his vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God-and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come- I , Nephi, was desirious also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him...For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." Nephi understood the notion ask and ye shall receive. Following this he was given the same vision that his father saw along with an interpretation of the vision and so much more. (1 Nephi 11-14, pages 19-30) After seeing the vision, Nephi returned to where his family was staying, where he found his brothers arguing about the meaning of the vision. After asking them if they went to the Lord for understanding, he stated in 1 Nephi 15:11 (page 31), "Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?-If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."
I love what we can learn here about prayer and its importance in our relationship with our Father in Heaven. If we are humble, keep the commandments, and ask in faith, then the Lord will open our minds and help us understand His mysteries. The Lord asks us to put forth effort. He asks us to test our faith. Ether 12:6 (page 509) says, "...for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." We can turn to the Lord for anything, and we should. He is waiting with open arms to give us the answers our souls desire. He wants to comfort and guide us through our lives. He wants to be a part of each and every day. We are His children and He wants to show His love for us. But, we have to do our part. When you feel lost or confused, ask yourself, "have ye inquired of the Lord?"
There are a lot of great examples of this principle, but I want to share the experience of Joseph Smith. When he was fourteen years old, he read James 1:5-6 which states, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering..." After reading this verse, he decided to go to a grove of trees to ask the Lord in prayer which church he should join. This led to his beautiful vision of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and later the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ in its fullness-all because a young boy asked in prayer. (You can view a video about Joseph Smith's experience here. First click on "Truth Restored" just above the blue box at the bottom, then click "view video" under The Restoration DVD)
I know that the Lord hears and answers our prayers. I have had countless experiences where He has answered mine. My knowledge of this began when I was just eight years old. I lost my earing and was very worried that I wouldn't find it because it was a very small stud. After searching for some time, I remembered that I had been taught to pray when I needed help. I went into my room and asked the Lord to help me find this lost earing. On completion of my prayer, I decided to resume my search. While walking out to the family room, I stepped on it, poking me in the foot. I laughed at the irony and then realized that there was no irony in it at all. The Lord was waiting to help me. He cared, because I cared.
When I was a teenager, I had a seminary teacher share with us that if we needed to feel the Lord's love, all we needed to do was ask Him and He would be unable to hold His love from us. I decided that I wanted to try this out because like all teenagers, I was needing comfort and guidance. After dinner, I took solitary in my bedroom, kneeled next to my bed, and prayed. Instantly after asking the Lord if He loved me, my entire body was filled with warmth. I began to cry at the overwhelming outpouring of love that I felt. I can not explain it with words, but I know and will always know that my Father in Heaven loves me very much.
I know that the power of prayer is real. I know that we can turn to our Father in Heaven for answers. He will enlighten our minds with His Spirit. He will give us a greater understanding of His teachings. He will comfort us in times of need and He will strenthen us when we are weak. I hope and pray that you will do as Nephi and "inquire of the Lord". This I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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