276 - Watch and Pray Always

3 Nephi 18:18

 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for ^aSatan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.

What do we do to avoid entering into temptation?  Watch and pray.

Notice it doesn't say to avoid temptation, to eliminate temptation, to never see it again!
It says to avoid entering into it...

We always have a choice, even up to the last second before we make a bad one.  It's ours completely!  We choose what we enter into.

To keep us from walking down that path, making that choice, that sometimes entangles us and traps us... He wants us to watch and pray. 

Be aware of what is around us, avoid things that are tempting.  See what is going on, what my choices will lead to, what the consequence will be.

And pray.  There is power in prayer.  I strongly believe that if I am praying and keeping that communication open, if I am pondering and thinking often of my Savior, of things I'm thankful for, of the goodness of life, of uplifting things, the things that 'tempt' have no power. 

Watch and pray.

Henry B Eyring said:

He knows perfectly the powerful forces that influence us and also what it means to be human.
...The Master not only foresees perfectly the growing power of the opposing forces but also knows what it is like to be mortal. He knows what it is like to have the cares of life press upon us... And he knows how our human powers to cope are not constant...
...As the forces around us increase in intensity, whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough.  And whatever growth in spiritual strength we once thought was possible, greater growth will be made available to us.  Both the need for spiritual strength and the opportunity to acquire it will increase at rates which we underestimate...
... Start with remembering Him.  -'Always'

275 - In Remembrance of Me

3 Nephi 18: 1-14

In these verses Christ institutes the sacrament among the Nephites.
In His church anciently the sacrament was important.  In His restored gospel today it is the same.
Why?

'And this shall ye do in remembrance...'

It is so easy to get swept away today with all we have going on.  There are distractions everywhere, both important and unimportant. 

This is a time to stop... and remember Him.

Certainly I hope to do that more than once a week when I take the sacrament, but this is part of gathering together.  It gives us reason, creates an opportunity, just in case we didn't do it on our own.  It is a gentle reminder, and can benefit us if we let it.

Day 274 Behold Your Little Ones...

I will get myself organized with all of the writing I insist on doing!  It takes organization!

3 N 17: 11-24 Behold Little Ones

As I was reading through this section this time I thought about a recent quote I've read... can't remember where I read it, but it essentially says that it's not enough to just live a good life, assuming your children will see that and choose that path also. 

We have to teach them, they don't just grow up to be good people without learning how.  What makes you good?  Why do you make the choices you do?  What are the results of that?  We need to teach them! 

Sister Grassli (former general primary president) 'Let us not underestimate the capacity and potential power for today's children to perpetuate righteousness. No group of people in the church is as receptive to the truth.

We see the result of the Savior loving and teaching these children.  For two hundred years there is righteousness with the Nephites.  These children held on to their experience, knowledge and testimony.  They grew and taught their children, who taught their children.  We see that as more time passes and more generations follow posterity starts to forget, maybe lag a little.  The intensity and reality of the experience becomes a story some may tell and some may not. 

We had our primary program on Sunday and I thought about my cute kids as I saw them up there on the stand, bearing testimony in the simplest of form.  I thought about teaching them... I need to do so much better.

They sang 'A Child's Prayer' and I cried... I always cry.  I love that song...

Lyrics

1. 1. Heavenly Father, are you really there?
   And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?
   Some say that heaven is far away,
   But I feel it close around me as I pray.
   

   Heavenly Father, I remember now

   Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:

   "Suffer the children to come to me."

   Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.

This is the section where Christ blesses these children.  Not only does He himself take them, and love and care for them.  He prays to our Father in Heaven for them.

 

There is so much that is nasty and ugly in the world, so much I want to protect my children from.  I want to teach them, not only so they can grow to be good people, but so they can be happy, find peace, strength and consistency. 

 

 

 

I can teach, I can only do my best... and when it isn't enough I need to follow the example of my Savior and pray unto the Father to bless my little one's.  To give them strength and peace that I can't give them, that they don't know how to ask for yet.  Am I using the power of faith through prayer?

 

I felt the call again, reading this, that it is my job to teach.  Not just to live a good life, but to teach my children, so they know.  They have capacity to bring much goodness and righteousness into the world.

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Section 25

I love D & C 25.
I read this a few weeks ago, but want to go back and write about it.
It seems I can't get here to write lately, although my studies do continue.  Some days I just get the BofM some days I just get the D&C, some days I get both... other days I get a read done in the Ensign, Thursday is always the New Testament.  Always something... not quite as disciplined as I'd like fitting both in one day... but always something! 
It keeps me centered...

This section speaks volumes...

2 A revelation I give unto you concerning my will; and if thou art faithful and ^awalk in the paths of ^bvirtue before me, I will preserve thy life, and thou shalt receive an ^cinheritance in Zion.

Virtue.  It seems a fleeting characteristic these days right?  Gods law remains even today, and his reward still, for those who obey...

Anyone looking in on Emma Smith may think poor Emma, she took on a lot didn't she?  Would she have signed up, married Joseph, if she knew truly what was coming?  The road was hard for her... it was hard for Joseph.  We see her strength, but also empathize for her and her struggles.

So when the Lord tells her, first, in v3 that her sins are forgiven, then second, that she is an elect lady... at first it seems a little backwards.  Don't you lift first, reassure and tell her she's an elect lady... then tell her her sins are forgiven?

The footnote on 'sins' takes us to Matthew 9:2.  This is the story of Jesus healing the man with palsy.  In this verse he says 'be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee'.  What?  This man has a physical ailment... clearly he came to healed physically.  That is what everyone expected.

Jesus asks them
5 ^aFor whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

Really, which is easier?  For our Savior probably easier to heal this man physically and send him off.  But he was trying to make a point.  He also, more importantly, has the power to cleanse us from sin.

Physical ailments may be uncomfortable for us to experience, but they ultimately won't keep us from entering into the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Sin, on the other hand... will completely keep us from Him, if we don't seek forgiveness.

Which healing are we most in need of?

Jesus wanted them to know that He has power to do both.
6 But that ye may know that the ^aSon of man hath ^bpower on earth to ^cforgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

7 And he arose, and departed to his house.

 

Why would the Lord want Emma to know this?  Why forgive her first? 

 

I look at myself and my weakness with my own spouse.  Sometimes I judge, sometimes I get mad and impatient.  Sometimes I am selfish and just wish he'd be how I want him to be.  Sometimes I focus on me, and the things I'm missing out on, or what he's doing/not doing for me...

 

All of these things are reasons for me to seek forgiveness.  Aren't judgement, pride and selfishness reasons to seek forgiveness... Yes, they are!

 

And the Lord forgives first... before I am an elect lady.  Really that is when I am most elect isn't it?  When I've been sanctified through His atonement?

 

Next the Lord tells Emma to be a comfort to her husband.  To support him, to beware of pride, to be meek, to delight in her husband.

 

Honestly, after 15 years of marriage, I'm like, really?  Where is MY appreciation!!!

 

I watched a tender moment a few weeks ago in institute/bible study.  Our instructor (who has been married to his sweet wife for many years) told us to appreciate our husbands.  We laughed and he said what we were all thinking, you may feel that he needs to appreciate you, but appreciate them.  He admitted that men don't like to tell us that they need that, but they do. 

 

He then teared up a little and told us that no matter how many times he's told his wife, or showed her, she would never really understand how deeply he loves her... um, I cried.

 

I came home and called Matt at work and told him that I appreciate him, and why. 

 

I also told him about Leon sharing his love for his wife with us.

 

I hear my husband tell me he loves me... Why I can't hold onto that or feel it as deeply as I need to sometimes is beyond me.  I could be behaviors, it could be insecurities... blah blah... but he's told me... I know he feels it... why do I doubt that over and again?

 

We are just different creatures and I think women certainly need the reassurance more than men... and because they don't really need it, they don't really give it.

 

But, I had a moment.  It's my choice to believe.  Seeing that man tenderly speak of his wife helped me see into my own husbands heart.  It was a good thing.

 

Doesn't this wisdom, given by the Lord to Emma strengthen a marriage?  Forget yourself.  Support your partner... stop thinking of yourself... think of them.  They feel loved and whole and give back.  Wise... the Lord is wise.

 

There is much in this section, indeed.  My understanding is increased. 

 

A More Christian Christian

I had an experience last week, then I came home and decided to read a talk from General Conference.  The two ended up going hand in hand and I'm always humbled and amazed when that happens. 

I ran to the post office after picking the boys up.  As I was walking in I saw a woman turned toward me, she looked a little closer at me and I at her... Darlene?
Oh, I sighed, 'How are you doing?'

I met Darlene in 2006, yikes!  I started teaching modern dance for her that year.  I taught for her a couple of years.  She is going through a rough life change right now.  Divorce, husband moved out with another woman... you know the story...

We hugged and she just started sobbing.  It was good to hear her story, I'd only heard rumors, second stories.

As I held her my heart ached a bit.  I don't even know this woman 'well', but this is not the woman I know.  She was so broken and weak.  This was not Darlene.

Those were my words for her... please remember the truth about you.  You are strong, you have an inner power and strength that shine.  You are creative, have brought joy to so many lives through dance.  You are giving and caring. 

You may be hurting... but you are NOT broken.

As hard and painful things hit us it is easy to get torn down by the pain.  Then we get depressed, we give our power away.  We loose sight of truth, the glory and divinity that resides in each of us.  We stop our progress when we forget our truth.

Every word of this is true for me, it's a good reminder.  Even though there is pain I am not broken.  I will not be broken by the things that hurt me.  I will remember the truth about me.

We hugged many times.  It was comforting to hear her say that she needed to see me today.  She needed the lift.  God bless me!

As we parted I reminded her that whether we are with someone or alone, we are in charge of our own happiness.  Remember your truth, start living like you believe it, happiness will come.

In addition to this I believe that we truly can heal completely through the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Any pain that is ours can be swallowed up in Him, quite literally.  I have felt this time and again as I turn to Him in my dark hours, when I am broken, and need Him to make me whole. 

For my study time later that day I picked up my General Conference issue of the Ensign.  I opened up to the talk by Elder Hales... Being a More Christian Christian.  It totally fit my day, my experience.

A few things he says...

What does it mean to be a Christian?

 

A Christian has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the literal Son of God, sent by His Father to suffer for our sins in the supreme act of love we know as the Atonement.

A Christian believes that through the grace of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, we can repent, forgive others, keep the commandments, and inherit eternal life.

 

The word Christian denotes taking upon us the name of Christ. We do this by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those holding His priesthood authority.

He asks, how are we doing in our quest to follow Christ?  Always a good question to reflect on.
He talks about all of us being blessed to have difficulties and to pay attention to where we are going in them.  Returning to old ways, as he puts it, instead of turning to the Savior.

He talks about Peter and how, after serving with the Lord, after seeing Him crucified, went back home to fish.  We know that the Savior comes to Peter and asks him what he's doing.  He'd returned to what he knew, his old ways.  The Lord then admonishes him to go and feed His sheep.  He wanted him to go and serve.  To be lifted up in the Lord, he was an apostle... go preach the gospel... feed these saints with the gospel, these sheep.

This is a way we experience growth and become a more christian christian... feeding His sheep.

This is the call of Christ to every Christian today: “Feed my lambs. … Feed my sheep”—share my gospel with young and old, lifting, blessing, comforting, encouraging, and building them, especially those who think and believe differently than we do. We feed His lambs in our homes by how we live the gospel: keeping the commandments, praying, studying the scriptures, and emulating His love. We feed His sheep in the Church as we serve in priesthood quorums and auxiliary organizations. And we feed His sheep throughout the world by being good Christian neighbors, practicing the pure religion of visiting and serving the widows, the fatherless, the poor, and all who are in need.

The Savior has promised that He will make us equal to His work. “Follow me,” He said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

I love this promise.  As we follow Him, he will strengthen us to do His work.  He will provide opportunity... fishing for men.  Finding those who are in need.

I found one last week.  I hope that she felt lifted, blessed, comforted, encouraged and built up.  I love my Savior and that day I shared His love with Darlene, who felt broken. 

I didn't seek reward, but I know that as I listen and obey blessings are poured out upon me.  My reward?  An increase of love, for all.  A reminder of my truth.  A heart full of gratitude.  It felt wonderful.

Readjust...

Isn't this how it goes?  You make a plan, try it out, and make adjustments.
I made these scripture prompts thinking I'd put them up and just read the scripture that was on it for the day. 
Turns out this isn't enough to satiate my hunger/thirst!
This is a great way to study, to go farther into some specific scriptures.
So this is my plan.  Study these scriptures from the B of M in the morning and study the D & C in the afternoon.  I just need them both right now!

Here was my thinking for dividing up the Book of Mormon scriptures...
25 scriptures from 1 Nephi
25 from 2 Nephi 1- 27
25 from 2 Nephi 28 - Words of Mormon
25 from Mosiah
We are at 100 days now.
165 from Alma
25 from Helaman - 3 Nephi 11
25 3 Nephi 12 - 26
25 3 Nephi 27 - Ether 5
25 Ether 6 - Moroni 10

That is 365!  Yahoo!

So, I've started again! 

Here are some thoughts from a few prompts... I need time for me to think, study, ponder, simmer these thoughts, that is when they really have power to change us right?

1 Nephi 1:20 - Tender mercies of the Lord.
The Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord suits “his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men” (D&C 46:15).  Elder Bednar April 2005

I like that Nephi says he is going to show us these tender mercies.  Do we look for them?  Do we see them?  Do people need to point them out to us?  My guess is if we look we will see these sweet things from the Lord.  And Nephi does show us time and again that the Lord does indeed pour these out upon his faithful.

1 N 7:1 - Divine plan for parenthood.
In particular this verse speaks to me.  Not only for the delight that parenthood has brought into my life and the divine purpose of it all, but in the realm of building up the kingdom of God.  Raising faithful children who know their Savior.  If I give up, and don't teach my children, if many of us do, our numbers vanish over time.  This is what happened in days of old.  How can the Lord get his work done here w/o us?  He can't, and likewise we lose.

I also liked the cross reference to Psalms 127:3 -Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

We can draw in yesterday's thoughts of covenants and blessings.  There is a promise, basic as the rising sun, in the fundamentals of parenthood.  As we covenant to stay within his boundaries, the laws of God, we will be rewarded.  That reward or blessing may not come until later than we can now see, but it comes.

1 N 7:15 - Ye have choice
'Decisions determine destiny.  You can't make an eternal choice w/o and eternal consequence.'  - President Monson

There is always a choice.  What Laman and Lemuel couldn't see is that they would've been destroyed had they gone back to Jarusalem.  We know that now, but they didn't.  I don't think they believed, really, but they erred on the side of caution and didn't go back.

There is always a choice and if the choice we make is to obey, there will be a blessing attached to that choice and law.

Regardless of faith, there is a principle of the Lord blessing us for being obedient. 

A New Year... Doctrine and Covenants

This blog has gone unwritten for a while, surprising!
I finished the Book of Mormon last year and struggled a little to find what to study next or how to study the Book of Mormon again.  I've since started the D&C, but am not reading/studying like I want to be.

This year I want to tackle the Bible, but since we've just started D&C at church I think I'll continue and finish with my study there, then get into the Bible.  I want to study for an hour each day and see how that gets me through.  I'm not in a hurry, just committed to good study time.

I'm like 25 sections in, but now am going back.  Back in October someone left piles, boxes of books on a table at church for anyone who wanted them.  I took 3 boxes home!  Many of them are church books.  I don't spend time reading literature, but I will read this!  I will see what these two books add to my study, they are 'The Message of the Doctrine and Covenants' by John A Widtsoe and 'Prophesies and Prophetic Promises, from the D&C' by Roy W Doxey.

The book points out there are different ways to study D&C, but as you go through, realize that each section is a topic, D&C isn't in 'story' form, if you will.

So far, the piece of information that has impacted me the most is this thought... this is a book of both doctrine and covenants.  'Doctrine means information, information regarding any subject pertaining to the church... Covenant on the other hand, implies that the doctrine has a definite purpose.  It is not merely information... it has a definite purpose implying cause and effect.  A covenant means a promise of man to the Lord.  So, doctrine and covenants are really two aspects of the same thing.  We cannot have one w/o the other... They may be compared to knowledge and intelligence.  Intelligence is the use of knowledge.  In some such way doctrine and covenant  may be compared... They are studied together and not separately.  Every covenant implies a doctrine and every doctrine implies a covenant.'

This thought was with me today as we studied in Gospel Doctrine.  The doctrine of things and the covenant associated with them, and the blessings that are associated with each covenant or promise.

Section 19  (16-19) we hear the Savior speaking of his own Atonement, the only scripture where He speaks first hand of his experience.   I was impressed not only to read again of the atonement, this doctrine, but the covenants associated with it.  The Savior made a covenant with His father to do this, and he was obedient... 'I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.'  It was hard for him, we can clearly see that, but he chose to be obedient.  Not only does He receive reward for his atonement/sacrifice/obedience... but the rest of us do too... unique.

When we are baptized we promise or covenant to use the atonement.  As we keep our covenants we are blessed.  I don't just mean blessed, I mean rewarded.  As we keep the covenant to use the atonement, we are cleansed, healed, sanctified and changed.  The result of that is being able to enter into Gods' presence.  That is the reward for being obedient to the covenant. 

As we do, there is a reward.  V 23... learn, listen and walk.  These are things for us to do.  The reward is peace.

6:20 ... I will encircle the in the arms of my love... this is the blessing after we are faithful, diligent and keep the commandments of God.

Last, in 19:1-3 We read about our Savior.  I love his statement about who He is.  I think of his statement in the context of the restoration.  People have forgotten, so here is a clear reminder.  Here is a restitution of Jesus Christ.  Our God is not gone, our Savior is not forgotten.  We see in these latter days a complacency, a turning away, a neutral zone.  Does it really matter if there is a god or not?  This book of scripture is unique, the Savior revealed to Joseph Smith, in our day, that He is still there and now is the final preparation for His second coming. 

What a treasure we have.  Only now can I see that.  I'm sorry it's taken me so long!  I'm so excited to study D & C.