My internal alarm woke me this morning.
I got up and checked the children, covered up the ones that had kicked off their covers and hopped back into my warm bed to go back to sleep. A bright thought lit up in my mind, "Get up and study the scriptures." I really wanted to try going back to sleep. And several seconds, I got up out of bed and came upstairs to study.
In a few weeks, I will be teaching in Sunday Relief Society Meeting about the second coming of Jesus Christ.
I had some questions surrounding this subject about the New Jerusalem. And so, this is where I began my studies.
Here is something I discovered about the preparations for His second coming.
Doctrine & Covenants 84 beginning wih verse 103
103 And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, it is expedient that every man who goes forth to proclaim mine everlasting gospel, that inasmuch as they have families, and receive money by gift, that they should send it unto them or make use of it for their benefit, as the Lord shall direct them, for thus it seemeth me good.
104 And let all those who have not families, who receive money, send it up unto the bishop in Zion, or unto the bishop in Ohio, that it may be consecrated for the bringing forth of the revelations and the printing thereof, and for establishing Zion.
To me, this means that I can help build the kingdom by helping, even financially, support the missionary effort.
105 And if any man shall give unto any of you a coat, or a suit, take the old and cast it unto the poor, and go on your way rejoicing.
To me, this means that as I receive, I give to the poor my excess, and then I rejoice!
106 And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also.
To me, this means that I am to lift, love, serve, invite and continue to lead my neighbors in Christ's way, that they will have firm testimonies of Christ.
107 Therefore, take with you those who are ordained unto the lesser priesthood, and send them before you to make appointments, and to prepare the way, and to fill appointments that you yourselves are not able to fill.
108 Behold, this is the way that mine apostles, in ancient days, built up my church unto me.
This means that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same church Christ established on the earth before He died. It is the same church that Paul, and Peter, and even Stephen had testified.
109 Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand?
110 Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.
To me, this means that where ever I am, to what ever calling I am called, I can magnify it and bless the lives of those I am called to serve. Because every calling is NEEDFUL.
111 And behold, the high priests should travel, and also the elders, and also the lesser priests; but the deacons and teachers should be appointed to watch over the church, to be standing ministers unto the church.
112 And the bishop, Newel K. Whitney, also should travel round about and among all the churches, searching after the poor to administer to their wants by humbling the rich and the proud.
To me, this means that Bishops are called of God. They serve and help members of their wards, bringing them to Christ. And I need to heed their counsel.
113 He should also employ an agent to take charge and to do his secular business as he shall direct.
114 Nevertheless, let the bishop go unto the city of New York, also to the city of Albany, and also to the city of Boston, and warn the people of those cities with the sound of the gospel, with a loud voice, of the desolation and utter abolishment which await them if they do reject these things.
115 For if they do reject these things the hour of their judgment is nigh, and their house shall be left unto them desolate.
116 Let him trust in me and he shall not be confounded; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed.
Bishops, of the church, have a great responsibility and need our prayers as they serve.
117 And verily I say unto you, the rest of my servants, go ye forth as your circumstances shall permit, in your several callings, unto the great and notable cities and villages, reproving the world in righteousness of all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds, setting forth clearly and understandingly the desolation of abomination in the last days.
We have a lot of work to do!
118 For, with you saith the Lord Almighty, I will rend their kingdoms; I will not only shake the earth, but the starry heavens shall tremble.
119 For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am, and that I will come and reign with my people.
120 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Amen.
The Lord ALWAYS keeps His promises.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
"This is not my doctrine..."
Last week for our traveling Family Home Evening (commuting gives us a variety on where we hold FHE), we had Book of Mormon Trivia. It was AWESOME! We opened with this question:
We heard a lot of ideas.
To steal? To lie? To be mean?
And the answer is.....
3 Nephi 11:29 - 30.
"For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away."
So this week, these verses have caused for a lot of thought. And, so, I will blog these thoughts
The devil will to stir his pot and throw families in the mix of it. And, frankly, I don't want any of it.
I can see why the Lord commands us to pray for Charity...
Moroni 7:44-48
"...he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.
And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
because it doesn't come naturally. Even in families.
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."
In Relief Society today, we discussed Elder Scott's talk from April General Conference entitled, "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage" A story (click here to read the full text) was shared about a couple wanting to marry in the temple. They went through a lot of hardships before they actually made it to the temple. The teacher posed the question:
Good question! So, re-wording the question:
Because as a mother, I can help create a place where we can love to be. And, because I believe the words penned by John Hugh McNaughton.
There is beauty all around,
When there’s love at home;
There is joy in every sound,
When there’s love at home;
Peace and plenty here abide,
Smiling sweet on every side,
Time doth softly, sweetly glide,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Time doth softly, sweetly glide,
When there’s love at home.
In the cottage there is joy,
When there’s love at home;
Hate and envy ne’er annoy,
When there’s love at home;
Roses bloom beneath our feet,
All the earth’s a garden sweet,
Making life a bliss complete,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Making life a bliss complete,
When there’s love at home.
Love becomes a way of life,
When there’s love at home;
Sweet, insistent end to strife,
When there’s love at home;
Glad submission each one’s gift,
Willing pledge to love and lift,
Healing balm for every rift,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Healing balm for every rift,
When there’s love at home.
Anger cools and pressures cease,
When there’s love at home;
Children learn to live in peace,
When there’s love at home;
Courage to reach out in grace,
Meet a stranger face to face,
Find a reconciling place,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Find a reconciling place,
When there’s love at home.
There’s no question you can’t ask,
When there’s love at home;
There is strength for any task,
When there’s love at home;
Sharing joy in work or play,
Confidence to face the day,
Knowing love will find a way,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Knowing love will find a way,
When there’s love at home.
Kindly heaven smiles above,
When there’s love at home;
All the world is filled with love,
When there’s love at home;
Sweeter sings the brooklet by,
Brighter beams the azure sky;
Oh, there’s One who smiles on high
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Oh, there’s One who smiles on high
When there’s love at home.
So, I am commiting these verses to memory, to heart, to soul. Hoping in the internalizing of these verses that in those moments of irritation and frusteration and disappointment, I can remember His doctrine.
What did Christ say was NOT his doctrine?
We heard a lot of ideas.
To steal? To lie? To be mean?
And the answer is.....
3 Nephi 11:29 - 30.
"For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away."
So this week, these verses have caused for a lot of thought. And, so, I will blog these thoughts
The devil will to stir his pot and throw families in the mix of it. And, frankly, I don't want any of it.
I can see why the Lord commands us to pray for Charity...
Moroni 7:44-48
"...he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.
And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."
because it doesn't come naturally. Even in families.
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."
In Relief Society today, we discussed Elder Scott's talk from April General Conference entitled, "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage" A story (click here to read the full text) was shared about a couple wanting to marry in the temple. They went through a lot of hardships before they actually made it to the temple. The teacher posed the question:
"Why, if all these hardships happened, did they continue to try and reach that goal, to be sealed in the temple?"
Good question! So, re-wording the question:
"Why, especially with my family, do I continue to try and reach that goal, to have charity?"
Because as a mother, I can help create a place where we can love to be. And, because I believe the words penned by John Hugh McNaughton.
There is beauty all around,
When there’s love at home;
There is joy in every sound,
When there’s love at home;
Peace and plenty here abide,
Smiling sweet on every side,
Time doth softly, sweetly glide,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Time doth softly, sweetly glide,
When there’s love at home.
In the cottage there is joy,
When there’s love at home;
Hate and envy ne’er annoy,
When there’s love at home;
Roses bloom beneath our feet,
All the earth’s a garden sweet,
Making life a bliss complete,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Making life a bliss complete,
When there’s love at home.
Love becomes a way of life,
When there’s love at home;
Sweet, insistent end to strife,
When there’s love at home;
Glad submission each one’s gift,
Willing pledge to love and lift,
Healing balm for every rift,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Healing balm for every rift,
When there’s love at home.
Anger cools and pressures cease,
When there’s love at home;
Children learn to live in peace,
When there’s love at home;
Courage to reach out in grace,
Meet a stranger face to face,
Find a reconciling place,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Find a reconciling place,
When there’s love at home.
There’s no question you can’t ask,
When there’s love at home;
There is strength for any task,
When there’s love at home;
Sharing joy in work or play,
Confidence to face the day,
Knowing love will find a way,
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Knowing love will find a way,
When there’s love at home.
Kindly heaven smiles above,
When there’s love at home;
All the world is filled with love,
When there’s love at home;
Sweeter sings the brooklet by,
Brighter beams the azure sky;
Oh, there’s One who smiles on high
When there’s love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Oh, there’s One who smiles on high
When there’s love at home.
So, I am commiting these verses to memory, to heart, to soul. Hoping in the internalizing of these verses that in those moments of irritation and frusteration and disappointment, I can remember His doctrine.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Now is not the time!
A quick post.
I am reading through my email with my three year old beside me, playing with some of her toys.
My email is FULL (okay, full is an understatement)!!! It needs to be cleaned out.
I say outloud to myself as I am deleteing new emails and looking at the number of emails that need to be deleted:
Me: This sooo needs to be cleaned out. But NOT today. Now is Not the time.
Three year-old, now climbing up onto my lap: That's right. Now is NOT the time!
So, Hi ho, Hi ho, it's off the computer I go!
I am reading through my email with my three year old beside me, playing with some of her toys.
My email is FULL (okay, full is an understatement)!!! It needs to be cleaned out.
I say outloud to myself as I am deleteing new emails and looking at the number of emails that need to be deleted:
Me: This sooo needs to be cleaned out. But NOT today. Now is Not the time.
Three year-old, now climbing up onto my lap: That's right. Now is NOT the time!
So, Hi ho, Hi ho, it's off the computer I go!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence
Yesterday, I ran into a friend that I had not seen in a long time. I love these kinds of reunions! We met in our home ward about seven years ago. She became a part of our family. The girls saw her as an aunt figure, someone they could play with and trust. I saw her as a friend and a wonderful role model for our children. Anyway, she moved and then we moved and life carried on.
I think yesterday's reunion was a little like Ammon's with Alma. It was so good to see her.
Anyway, in our conversation, she referred me to a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.
"Cast Not Away Therefore Thy Confidence." (click here or here).
Here are some things Elder Holland teaches:
"First of all, revelation almost always comes in response to a question, usually an urgent question—not always, but usually. In that sense it does provide information, but it is urgently needed information, special information."
"Lesson number two is closely related. It is that in the process of revelation and making important decisions, fear plays a destructive, sometimes paralyzing role...That is the second lesson of the spirit of revelation. After you have gotten the message, after you have paid the price to feel His love and hear the word of the Lord, go forward. Don’t fear, don’t vacillate, don’t quibble, don’t whine. ... With the spirit of revelation, dismiss your fears and wade in with both feet. In the words of Joseph Smith, “Brethren [and sisters], shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!"
"The third lesson from the Lord’s spirit of revelation ...is that along with the illuminating revelation that points us toward a righteous purpose or duty, God will also provide the means and power to achieve that purpose. Trust in that eternal truth. If God has told you something is right, if something is indeed true for you, He will provide the way for you to accomplish it. That is true of joining the Church or raising a family, of going on a mission, or any one of a hundred other worthy tasks in life."
So, this morning, I read Elder Holland's talk. I loved it! Reading his words gives me absolute confidence to follow the spirit's direction especially. Particularly after the spirit has given me a deifinite answer. And boy, has anxiety and doubt crept...maybe more like stormed in after answers had come. I do not need to tvivla (This word most accurately describes what I am trying to say. It is Swedish for doubt, but it means more that the word doubt in English.) Hesitate. Vacillate. Rethink. JUST MOVE FORWARD.
I think, because anxiety and depression have been a difficult burden, and yet these two things have played a vital role in my faith and coming to know Christ, Elder Holland's words give me direction and clarity to hold to those feelings of the spirit.
HOLD ON TIGHT!
MOVE FORWARD WITH FAITH!
And then I as I do, I will SEE and FEEL the confidence of the Lord.
DO WHAT THE SPIRIT DIRECTS and
DON'T LOOK BACK or QUESTION the feelings that came.
Because that lays weedy seeds of doubt that quickly overtake my mind and heart.
The beauty of living prophets is that THEIR WORDS ARE TRUE! From God! I can follow them and KNOW that they will ALWAYS lead me to a happy life. NEVER to a place of unhappiness.
I think yesterday's reunion was a little like Ammon's with Alma. It was so good to see her.
Anyway, in our conversation, she referred me to a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.
"Cast Not Away Therefore Thy Confidence." (click here or here).
Here are some things Elder Holland teaches:
"First of all, revelation almost always comes in response to a question, usually an urgent question—not always, but usually. In that sense it does provide information, but it is urgently needed information, special information."
"Lesson number two is closely related. It is that in the process of revelation and making important decisions, fear plays a destructive, sometimes paralyzing role...That is the second lesson of the spirit of revelation. After you have gotten the message, after you have paid the price to feel His love and hear the word of the Lord, go forward. Don’t fear, don’t vacillate, don’t quibble, don’t whine. ... With the spirit of revelation, dismiss your fears and wade in with both feet. In the words of Joseph Smith, “Brethren [and sisters], shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!"
"The third lesson from the Lord’s spirit of revelation ...is that along with the illuminating revelation that points us toward a righteous purpose or duty, God will also provide the means and power to achieve that purpose. Trust in that eternal truth. If God has told you something is right, if something is indeed true for you, He will provide the way for you to accomplish it. That is true of joining the Church or raising a family, of going on a mission, or any one of a hundred other worthy tasks in life."
So, this morning, I read Elder Holland's talk. I loved it! Reading his words gives me absolute confidence to follow the spirit's direction especially. Particularly after the spirit has given me a deifinite answer. And boy, has anxiety and doubt crept...maybe more like stormed in after answers had come. I do not need to tvivla (This word most accurately describes what I am trying to say. It is Swedish for doubt, but it means more that the word doubt in English.) Hesitate. Vacillate. Rethink. JUST MOVE FORWARD.
I think, because anxiety and depression have been a difficult burden, and yet these two things have played a vital role in my faith and coming to know Christ, Elder Holland's words give me direction and clarity to hold to those feelings of the spirit.
HOLD ON TIGHT!
MOVE FORWARD WITH FAITH!
And then I as I do, I will SEE and FEEL the confidence of the Lord.
DO WHAT THE SPIRIT DIRECTS and
DON'T LOOK BACK or QUESTION the feelings that came.
Because that lays weedy seeds of doubt that quickly overtake my mind and heart.
The beauty of living prophets is that THEIR WORDS ARE TRUE! From God! I can follow them and KNOW that they will ALWAYS lead me to a happy life. NEVER to a place of unhappiness.
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