My thoughts on Elder Tenorio's talk "The Power of Godliness is Manifested in the Temples of God."
The power of the temple is magnificent.
In looking of my hard copy of this talk there isn’t much high lighting. I’m not sure why I didn’t highlight it, but I didn’t. I think what impressed me the most with the talk is the example of attending and the peace that comes through that desire and action.
As every mom goes through the stages of raising a family there are times when just driving by the temple (if local) is all she can do. I remember I would drive to the temple and just sit in the car as the children fought in the back. I received so much strength just from that act alone. Now that my youngest is 7, I don’t get much strength from that and it is required that I go in, but because of busy schedules I don’t attend as often as I would like. I would love to go once a week, but once a month is pushing it. Hubby and I only get two date nights a week and most of the time we don’t even get to leave the house until after the last session starts. I hope that during the spring and summer it will work better for our schedules.
This I do know, that when I go to the temple with a burning question, I get an answer and that answer isn’t easily forgotten, in fact I’m not sure I have ever forgotten an answer received while at the temple.
I also believe strongly that those that have a temple heart (desire and attend when you can) have this scripture ring true in their lives: “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers,”
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Nourished by the Good Word of God
My thoughts on Brother Judd's talk "Nourished by the Good Word of God"
Like Brother Judd, we have a similar situation with our dog. He loves cheese and will do anything for cheese. He knows what the word “cheese” means and so if you just say it he comes running. The kids know this and when they want him they will sometimes say, “cheese” but won’t give him any. Just last night we got after our 16 year old for doing just this. But I think that is where the similarities end.
“What can we as teachers and leaders in the Church do to provide increased doctrinal and spiritual nourishment for those we serve?”
Elder Holland says, “They come seeking a spiritual experience. They want peace. They want their faith fortified and their hope renewed. They want, in short, to be nourished by the good word of God, to be strengthened by the powers of heaven.”
I have to ask myself—Is this one of the reasons I go to church? I work in primary behind the piano—I’m a teacher, not a student, and I’m using the word teacher loosely here.
Holland continues, “those of us who are called upon to speak or teach or lead have an obligation to help proved that, as best we possibly can.”
OH, that’s what I’m supposed to do.
“…it was possible to feed a horse without nourishing him.”
As parents we know this to be true. I can feed my kids a bunch of junk, but I didn’t provide substance for them to grow. We see this in poorly run YM nights. When basketball is the only activity that they do. Many of us just say, “well at least my son stepped into the church today.” Or “At least he got his muscles moving.” I say, “Basketball is great and wonderful, but what about working on Duty to God or Scouting requirements. There is so many other worthwhile activities that lend themselves to teaching and nourishing the body and soul.”
“As a leader I have learned that leadership meetings are more meaningful if our highest priority is an integrated effort to build faith in Christ and strengthen families and not simple a correlated calendar.”
I will disagree with Brother Judd here for just a moment (just hang on). I have sat in many Ward Council meetings that are supposed to last 60 minutes. I have sat in them for many, many years as RS president, YM president, ward music chairman, activities chairman and I’m sure there are few more that I can’t think of right now. There were very efficiently run meetings and there were poorly run meetings. I had one bishop who took Brother Judd’s words literally and all we did was talk about our missionary opportunities during the week. Come the following weeks we had discord over who was to use the gym and worst of all a ward activity called off on Friday because we didn’t look at the calendar and see the conflicts. Or the Thursday before a ward activity the counselor over activities would find fault with the activity and it would have to be changed within 24 hours (yes, that happened to me more times than I want to count). These activities are great opportunities for us to do great missionary work, not just talk about it. Had we spent just a little bit of the meeting correlating activities we could have had those missionary opportunities and then bear testimony in them in sacrament meeting, RS, Priesthood or other meetings. (But I’m not bitter.)
But I will agree with Brother Judd that in these meetings there needs to be opportunity to build faith in Christ and strengthen the families of the ward. The object is balance in these meetings. In our family we have a family council. The whole purpose of this meeting is to make it so that our family will run smoothly so that we can have peace and have those opportunities to strengthen our family and build faith. As will all things we must first have order so that principles of the gospel can be taught. It is only when this is accomplished can we be “nourished by the good word of God.”
Like Brother Judd, we have a similar situation with our dog. He loves cheese and will do anything for cheese. He knows what the word “cheese” means and so if you just say it he comes running. The kids know this and when they want him they will sometimes say, “cheese” but won’t give him any. Just last night we got after our 16 year old for doing just this. But I think that is where the similarities end.
“What can we as teachers and leaders in the Church do to provide increased doctrinal and spiritual nourishment for those we serve?”
Elder Holland says, “They come seeking a spiritual experience. They want peace. They want their faith fortified and their hope renewed. They want, in short, to be nourished by the good word of God, to be strengthened by the powers of heaven.”
I have to ask myself—Is this one of the reasons I go to church? I work in primary behind the piano—I’m a teacher, not a student, and I’m using the word teacher loosely here.
Holland continues, “those of us who are called upon to speak or teach or lead have an obligation to help proved that, as best we possibly can.”
OH, that’s what I’m supposed to do.
“…it was possible to feed a horse without nourishing him.”
As parents we know this to be true. I can feed my kids a bunch of junk, but I didn’t provide substance for them to grow. We see this in poorly run YM nights. When basketball is the only activity that they do. Many of us just say, “well at least my son stepped into the church today.” Or “At least he got his muscles moving.” I say, “Basketball is great and wonderful, but what about working on Duty to God or Scouting requirements. There is so many other worthwhile activities that lend themselves to teaching and nourishing the body and soul.”
“As a leader I have learned that leadership meetings are more meaningful if our highest priority is an integrated effort to build faith in Christ and strengthen families and not simple a correlated calendar.”
I will disagree with Brother Judd here for just a moment (just hang on). I have sat in many Ward Council meetings that are supposed to last 60 minutes. I have sat in them for many, many years as RS president, YM president, ward music chairman, activities chairman and I’m sure there are few more that I can’t think of right now. There were very efficiently run meetings and there were poorly run meetings. I had one bishop who took Brother Judd’s words literally and all we did was talk about our missionary opportunities during the week. Come the following weeks we had discord over who was to use the gym and worst of all a ward activity called off on Friday because we didn’t look at the calendar and see the conflicts. Or the Thursday before a ward activity the counselor over activities would find fault with the activity and it would have to be changed within 24 hours (yes, that happened to me more times than I want to count). These activities are great opportunities for us to do great missionary work, not just talk about it. Had we spent just a little bit of the meeting correlating activities we could have had those missionary opportunities and then bear testimony in them in sacrament meeting, RS, Priesthood or other meetings. (But I’m not bitter.)
But I will agree with Brother Judd that in these meetings there needs to be opportunity to build faith in Christ and strengthen the families of the ward. The object is balance in these meetings. In our family we have a family council. The whole purpose of this meeting is to make it so that our family will run smoothly so that we can have peace and have those opportunities to strengthen our family and build faith. As will all things we must first have order so that principles of the gospel can be taught. It is only when this is accomplished can we be “nourished by the good word of God.”
Friday, March 14, 2008
Truth: The Foundation of Correct Decisions
My thougthts on Elder Scott's talk "Truth: The Foundation of Correct Decisions"
Elder Scott says it perfectly, “No wonder some are confused and are not sure how to make the right decisions.” I too am confused and I don’t have as much of that “other stuff” interfering with my mind.
“Socially acceptable and politically correct.”
For years I have been neither and it seldom bothered me, but lately as my son turned 16, passed his driving test, I find myself more and more on the wrong side of social and political norms. I never thought I would have this to worry about as a homeschooling mom, but it is getting worse every weekend. I am finding it hard to combat, but I must and I must stay strong. I’m even typing while arguing with a child about social norms. Here he is again, “can I go now mom?” I better stand firm and explain to him how family comes first.
WOW! now on with my thoughts on this talk.
I love the scientific method and use it in most all things I’m trying to find truth. Our science unit this year is Biology and we are now studying the cell. I’m so excited. It is my favorite thing to study in science and about the only thing that makes sense to me. I was trying to figure out why it made sense to me when scientists don’t know all the much about how it does the things it does. I don’t think I have come up with “the answer” but part of it will have this: “I like the cell because it points to a divine maker.”
As I ponder on the cell I have recalled my 10th grade science class where we studied the cell. I was in a class where many of the kids were not of a particular faith and so they just ate whatever was told them for reasons. On the other hand, I took my questions to “the origin of all truth and ask[ed] or respon[ed] to inspiration.” I knew through faith, prayer, and study that the cell was truly made by a divine hand. I didn’t (and still don’t) have a shade of doubt.
Then we go to the source of all truth, he will tell us all things, only if we need to know (line upon line) and are righteous enough to merit knowing. But then there comes a responsibility of knowing. “A knowledge of truth is of little value unless we apply it in making correct decisions.” I love his example of eating doughnuts—GUILTY!
Then he sums it up with this “I testify that neither Satan nor any other power can weaken or destroy your growing character. Only you can do that through disobedience.”
Elder Scott says it perfectly, “No wonder some are confused and are not sure how to make the right decisions.” I too am confused and I don’t have as much of that “other stuff” interfering with my mind.
“Socially acceptable and politically correct.”
For years I have been neither and it seldom bothered me, but lately as my son turned 16, passed his driving test, I find myself more and more on the wrong side of social and political norms. I never thought I would have this to worry about as a homeschooling mom, but it is getting worse every weekend. I am finding it hard to combat, but I must and I must stay strong. I’m even typing while arguing with a child about social norms. Here he is again, “can I go now mom?” I better stand firm and explain to him how family comes first.
WOW! now on with my thoughts on this talk.
I love the scientific method and use it in most all things I’m trying to find truth. Our science unit this year is Biology and we are now studying the cell. I’m so excited. It is my favorite thing to study in science and about the only thing that makes sense to me. I was trying to figure out why it made sense to me when scientists don’t know all the much about how it does the things it does. I don’t think I have come up with “the answer” but part of it will have this: “I like the cell because it points to a divine maker.”
As I ponder on the cell I have recalled my 10th grade science class where we studied the cell. I was in a class where many of the kids were not of a particular faith and so they just ate whatever was told them for reasons. On the other hand, I took my questions to “the origin of all truth and ask[ed] or respon[ed] to inspiration.” I knew through faith, prayer, and study that the cell was truly made by a divine hand. I didn’t (and still don’t) have a shade of doubt.
Then we go to the source of all truth, he will tell us all things, only if we need to know (line upon line) and are righteous enough to merit knowing. But then there comes a responsibility of knowing. “A knowledge of truth is of little value unless we apply it in making correct decisions.” I love his example of eating doughnuts—GUILTY!
Then he sums it up with this “I testify that neither Satan nor any other power can weaken or destroy your growing character. Only you can do that through disobedience.”
Personal Revealtion: The Teaching and Examples of the Prophets
My thoughts on Elder Hales' talk "Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets"
Personal Revelation is such a wonderful thing. I don’t think I could be a member of the church if we didn’t have this and believe in it. (OK, the church wouldn’t be the church without it.)
I think the word that sums up my feelings on this talk is “amen.”
Now teaching this to your children is something else. It is easy if you start early and let them know that you will have answers to your prayers. Not, MAYBE have answers, but WILL have answers. And those answers will be for prayers that are simple “Where is my lost sock.” and prayers that are more complicated “Is the church true.”
“Elder Romney said, ‘I have learned that when we are on the Lord’s errand, we have His blessings to accomplish whatever we are asked to do.’”
When I was the Relief Society President I felt his so strongly. But I don’t feel it any less as a Primary Pianist. I feel it acutely as a mother. The Still Small Voice is a constant in my life and I try really hard to listen to it throughout the day.
“Each of us has been sent to earth by our Heavenly Father to merit eternal life;”
MERIT means to earn. I don’t know about at your house, but at my house to earn something means you have to put for some effort and work in order to receive it.
“Personal revelation is the way Heavenly Father helps us know Him and His son, learn and live the gospel, endure to the end in righteousness, and qualify for eternal life—to return back into Their presence.” (emphasis added)
Noticed what this gift gives us the ability to do. WOW! So how do we get it? PRAYER!
“To obtain that Spirit, we begin with prayer.” (If you want something you have to ask for it.)
“Behold, … you must study it out in your mind.” (One of my favorite scriptures.)
“I have learned that prayer provides a firm foundation for personal revelation.” (Let’s all hum now, “How firm a foundations, ye saints of the Lord.”)
“We pondered our assignment, counseled together, and listened to the voice of the Spirit.” Can it truly be that simple? Yes and no.
“Revelation comes on the Lord’s timetable, which often means we must move forward in faith, even though we haven’t received all the answers we desire.”
“.. by continuing to seek our Heavenly Father’s will as we moved forward in faith.”
I think that is one of the hardest things to do--period! Move forward with faith when you don’t know all the answers. Next is to move forward when you don’t like the answers.
Many, many years ago I approached my Father in Heaven because I was troubled about something in our marriage. He wouldn’t give me an answer, well; he answered it, “Not now—be patient and wait.” Eventually I decided we needed to take this to the temple and see what kind of clarity would come through there. My answer was most definite, “Follow your husband’s council.” That pained me the most because it was an answer I didn’t want to follow. My heart sank because I knew that Steve received an answer I wasn’t going to like. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. On the way home from the temple Steve was very quiet and I told my mouth to shut because asking him would break my heart. He knew that his answer would break my heart too so he was quiet. But eventually it had to be spoken. I went first and told him what I got for an answer. He then told me what he got for an answer. The only thing I could do was pray for healing and comfort. To this day, I still do not like the answer and when I think about it, my heart breaks. I have to ask for strength every time I think about it. I have to reach for a tissue box because it is still painful, BUT I have moved forward with faith. I don’t know why my blessing is for listening and following my husband, but I’m hoping that like Abraham I will be blessed because I have obeyed personal revelation and went forward in faith.
“… prophets received revelations to warn, teach, strengthen, and comfort…”
I have felt this very thing as I have read the Book of Mormon as well as the talks these past few years. I truly have felt warned, taught, strengthened and comforted as I have moved forward in faith doing things that are at times hard.
“We prepare to receive personal revelation as the prophets do, by studying the scriptures, fasting, praying and building faith. Faith is the key.”
I don’t know how this struck you, but it struck me that EVERYONE of us can do the very same thing our living prophets do to get personal revelation. There is no secret formula that makes it better or faster (kind of like losing weight). There is no secret priesthood office that gets us a quicker response or audience with Heavenly Father. NO! Everyone must do the same things. BUT the closer we live to the spirit, the more obedient we are, the more faith we exercise and the more broken our heart is, the easier it is to recognize the revelations.
“By design, most miracles are spiritual demonstrations of God’s power—tender mercies gently bestowed through impressions, ideas, feelings of assurance, solutions to problems, strength to meet challenges, and comfort to bear disappointments and sorrow.”
What a neat statement. And I only pray I can have more miracles worked in my life through personal revelations.
Personal Revelation is such a wonderful thing. I don’t think I could be a member of the church if we didn’t have this and believe in it. (OK, the church wouldn’t be the church without it.)
I think the word that sums up my feelings on this talk is “amen.”
Now teaching this to your children is something else. It is easy if you start early and let them know that you will have answers to your prayers. Not, MAYBE have answers, but WILL have answers. And those answers will be for prayers that are simple “Where is my lost sock.” and prayers that are more complicated “Is the church true.”
“Elder Romney said, ‘I have learned that when we are on the Lord’s errand, we have His blessings to accomplish whatever we are asked to do.’”
When I was the Relief Society President I felt his so strongly. But I don’t feel it any less as a Primary Pianist. I feel it acutely as a mother. The Still Small Voice is a constant in my life and I try really hard to listen to it throughout the day.
“Each of us has been sent to earth by our Heavenly Father to merit eternal life;”
MERIT means to earn. I don’t know about at your house, but at my house to earn something means you have to put for some effort and work in order to receive it.
“Personal revelation is the way Heavenly Father helps us know Him and His son, learn and live the gospel, endure to the end in righteousness, and qualify for eternal life—to return back into Their presence.” (emphasis added)
Noticed what this gift gives us the ability to do. WOW! So how do we get it? PRAYER!
“To obtain that Spirit, we begin with prayer.” (If you want something you have to ask for it.)
“Behold, … you must study it out in your mind.” (One of my favorite scriptures.)
“I have learned that prayer provides a firm foundation for personal revelation.” (Let’s all hum now, “How firm a foundations, ye saints of the Lord.”)
“We pondered our assignment, counseled together, and listened to the voice of the Spirit.” Can it truly be that simple? Yes and no.
“Revelation comes on the Lord’s timetable, which often means we must move forward in faith, even though we haven’t received all the answers we desire.”
“.. by continuing to seek our Heavenly Father’s will as we moved forward in faith.”
I think that is one of the hardest things to do--period! Move forward with faith when you don’t know all the answers. Next is to move forward when you don’t like the answers.
Many, many years ago I approached my Father in Heaven because I was troubled about something in our marriage. He wouldn’t give me an answer, well; he answered it, “Not now—be patient and wait.” Eventually I decided we needed to take this to the temple and see what kind of clarity would come through there. My answer was most definite, “Follow your husband’s council.” That pained me the most because it was an answer I didn’t want to follow. My heart sank because I knew that Steve received an answer I wasn’t going to like. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. On the way home from the temple Steve was very quiet and I told my mouth to shut because asking him would break my heart. He knew that his answer would break my heart too so he was quiet. But eventually it had to be spoken. I went first and told him what I got for an answer. He then told me what he got for an answer. The only thing I could do was pray for healing and comfort. To this day, I still do not like the answer and when I think about it, my heart breaks. I have to ask for strength every time I think about it. I have to reach for a tissue box because it is still painful, BUT I have moved forward with faith. I don’t know why my blessing is for listening and following my husband, but I’m hoping that like Abraham I will be blessed because I have obeyed personal revelation and went forward in faith.
“… prophets received revelations to warn, teach, strengthen, and comfort…”
I have felt this very thing as I have read the Book of Mormon as well as the talks these past few years. I truly have felt warned, taught, strengthened and comforted as I have moved forward in faith doing things that are at times hard.
“We prepare to receive personal revelation as the prophets do, by studying the scriptures, fasting, praying and building faith. Faith is the key.”
I don’t know how this struck you, but it struck me that EVERYONE of us can do the very same thing our living prophets do to get personal revelation. There is no secret formula that makes it better or faster (kind of like losing weight). There is no secret priesthood office that gets us a quicker response or audience with Heavenly Father. NO! Everyone must do the same things. BUT the closer we live to the spirit, the more obedient we are, the more faith we exercise and the more broken our heart is, the easier it is to recognize the revelations.
“By design, most miracles are spiritual demonstrations of God’s power—tender mercies gently bestowed through impressions, ideas, feelings of assurance, solutions to problems, strength to meet challenges, and comfort to bear disappointments and sorrow.”
What a neat statement. And I only pray I can have more miracles worked in my life through personal revelations.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The Stone Cut Out of the Mountain."
My thought on President Hinckley's talk "The Stone Cut Out of the Mountain"
As I read this talk in sacrament meeting I had to put it down as the tears were flowing. I never met the man, saw him in person only from the back of the Tabernacle almost 20 years ago (spring of 1989), but I feel like I lost a great friend, mentor and leader as I was reading this talk. I know this April’s conference will be hard—hard because we won’t be able to hear this Prophet’s voice. Luckily we have heard it for many years and we have a lot of his words (probably all) written down somewhere so that we can reread his words, even when he re-says his words.
As I remember listening to his opening paragraph, my heart ached because I knew one of the reasons he recycled a talk; he was old and it was time for him to slow down and die. I shook that off and said, “Adam lived into his 900’s, maybe a miracle can happen again.” But of course my heart just speaks words it wants to hear, not reality. I truly miss him and will miss seeing him in April. BUT I get to read this words and feel of his love for me.
How many times have we heard “The stone cut out of the mountain” and how it will roll until it has filled the earth? If you are a figures persons, you can see that happening. You can see the stone filling the earth. We are #4 in the USA. I wonder how many of the other churches consistently pull the numbers in every Sunday. I know a lot of people will confess a religion, but do they go to church every Sunday or just when it is convenient or when it is Easter and/or Christmas. I would love to see those figures. This is a miracle—170 plus years ago we were only 6 members strong! WOW!
My two young sons gave a FHE lesson on Joseph Smith’s first vision just this past week. I’m not sure when the last time our family went over that, but it was great fun reviewing the topic. As I sat and watched my family discuss this it was interesting to me to sit there and think that Joseph was just 14 and I have a 14 year old. I was taken back for a moment. I know my son isn’t a “unlearned farm boy” and we aren’t “poor”, but we are struggling workers, have a strong since of family, and we too have questions. I’m not 14 anymore and I still have questions. But I, like Joseph know how to get the answers and so does my son. That too is a miracle.
You know I was thinking about how many times we have it written that the FATHER spoke. Just a few, and the ONLY time the Father APPEARS is to a farm boy of just 14! That is AMAZING. I never really thought about it like that. I think the Father wanted to make sure that the last dispensation was properly brought in. Not that Jesus wouldn’t do it wrong or anything, but there is a certainty with the Father appearing. There is NO DOUBT! I also love that Joseph NEVER EVER said it didn’t happen. What a testimony.
Next came the miracle of the Book of Mormon. Just this morning we were reading in Helaman 7 where Nephi calls the people back to repentance. We have had a HORRIBLE morning. Name calling, back biting, chips on shoulder, tempers, anger, etc. I had to stop the scripture time this morning and review what we had just read in the last four or five chapter and show my family (me included) how we were just as bad as those who choose wickedness. Of course we aren’t out committing murders and all that other bad stuff the Gadianton Robbers were doing, but we were putting our feet firmly on that path with our behavior and attitudes of today. I then read the “remember, remember my son” verse and the verse 35&36 of Helaman 6 where it tells point blank why the people were wicked. “And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts.” Then this: “And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words.”
This is so simple and yet we find it so hard. The natural man is truly and enemy to God and we need to learn how to “put it off.” We learn this by reading and studying the words of modern and ancient prophets.
As I read this talk in sacrament meeting I had to put it down as the tears were flowing. I never met the man, saw him in person only from the back of the Tabernacle almost 20 years ago (spring of 1989), but I feel like I lost a great friend, mentor and leader as I was reading this talk. I know this April’s conference will be hard—hard because we won’t be able to hear this Prophet’s voice. Luckily we have heard it for many years and we have a lot of his words (probably all) written down somewhere so that we can reread his words, even when he re-says his words.
As I remember listening to his opening paragraph, my heart ached because I knew one of the reasons he recycled a talk; he was old and it was time for him to slow down and die. I shook that off and said, “Adam lived into his 900’s, maybe a miracle can happen again.” But of course my heart just speaks words it wants to hear, not reality. I truly miss him and will miss seeing him in April. BUT I get to read this words and feel of his love for me.
How many times have we heard “The stone cut out of the mountain” and how it will roll until it has filled the earth? If you are a figures persons, you can see that happening. You can see the stone filling the earth. We are #4 in the USA. I wonder how many of the other churches consistently pull the numbers in every Sunday. I know a lot of people will confess a religion, but do they go to church every Sunday or just when it is convenient or when it is Easter and/or Christmas. I would love to see those figures. This is a miracle—170 plus years ago we were only 6 members strong! WOW!
My two young sons gave a FHE lesson on Joseph Smith’s first vision just this past week. I’m not sure when the last time our family went over that, but it was great fun reviewing the topic. As I sat and watched my family discuss this it was interesting to me to sit there and think that Joseph was just 14 and I have a 14 year old. I was taken back for a moment. I know my son isn’t a “unlearned farm boy” and we aren’t “poor”, but we are struggling workers, have a strong since of family, and we too have questions. I’m not 14 anymore and I still have questions. But I, like Joseph know how to get the answers and so does my son. That too is a miracle.
You know I was thinking about how many times we have it written that the FATHER spoke. Just a few, and the ONLY time the Father APPEARS is to a farm boy of just 14! That is AMAZING. I never really thought about it like that. I think the Father wanted to make sure that the last dispensation was properly brought in. Not that Jesus wouldn’t do it wrong or anything, but there is a certainty with the Father appearing. There is NO DOUBT! I also love that Joseph NEVER EVER said it didn’t happen. What a testimony.
Next came the miracle of the Book of Mormon. Just this morning we were reading in Helaman 7 where Nephi calls the people back to repentance. We have had a HORRIBLE morning. Name calling, back biting, chips on shoulder, tempers, anger, etc. I had to stop the scripture time this morning and review what we had just read in the last four or five chapter and show my family (me included) how we were just as bad as those who choose wickedness. Of course we aren’t out committing murders and all that other bad stuff the Gadianton Robbers were doing, but we were putting our feet firmly on that path with our behavior and attitudes of today. I then read the “remember, remember my son” verse and the verse 35&36 of Helaman 6 where it tells point blank why the people were wicked. “And thus we see that the Spirit of the Lord began to withdraw from the Nephites, because of the wickedness and the hardness of their hearts.” Then this: “And thus we see that the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words.”
This is so simple and yet we find it so hard. The natural man is truly and enemy to God and we need to learn how to “put it off.” We learn this by reading and studying the words of modern and ancient prophets.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Clean Hands and Pure Heart
My thoughts on Elder Bednar's talk "Clean Hands and a Pure Heart"
Yesterday as I sat reading this during the sacrament I’m not sure why I couldn’t concentrate on the words in the article. I was flustered and wasn’t paying attention. In fact nothing was highlighted at all. I truly felt like I missed the whole thing.
First, this is a repeat of so many other talks that call us to repentance and since my personal and family scripture study are at points in the Book of Mormon (two different points—2 Nephi and Helaman) when the prophet of the time is calling the Nephites and Lamanites to repentance, I felt as if I had just heard this. The principles outlined were nothing new.
Second, we have had quite a few sacrament meetings on topics very similar to this in the past few months so again, I felt as if I had just heard this.
Third, our Stake President was in attendance at our meeting (rare event) and I kept reflecting on many of his sermons as he is just a few short months away from taking his family to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to serve as mission president down there. He talks are almost always on repentance.
Lastly, I just couldn’t get “in the mood,” for sacrament meeting. I don’t know what was wrong, but I was struggling yesterday morning. Maybe it was because I had prepared so well Saturday night that I wasn’t rushed, rushed, rushed Sunday morning and there for out of form. ~smile~
BUT, when I had finished, I went back to read the title of the talk again and I was struck for the first time that these two things: clean hands and pure heart are TWO different things. It is about repenting and then covenanting not to do them again. This is making sure the flesh is clean as well as the spirit.
“Our sincere desire should be to have both clean hands and a pure heart—both a remission of sins from day to day and to walk guiltless before God.”
“I witness that the Savior will strengthen and assist us to make sustained, paced progress.”
I guess I wasn’t going through the motions anymore.
Yesterday as I sat reading this during the sacrament I’m not sure why I couldn’t concentrate on the words in the article. I was flustered and wasn’t paying attention. In fact nothing was highlighted at all. I truly felt like I missed the whole thing.
First, this is a repeat of so many other talks that call us to repentance and since my personal and family scripture study are at points in the Book of Mormon (two different points—2 Nephi and Helaman) when the prophet of the time is calling the Nephites and Lamanites to repentance, I felt as if I had just heard this. The principles outlined were nothing new.
Second, we have had quite a few sacrament meetings on topics very similar to this in the past few months so again, I felt as if I had just heard this.
Third, our Stake President was in attendance at our meeting (rare event) and I kept reflecting on many of his sermons as he is just a few short months away from taking his family to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to serve as mission president down there. He talks are almost always on repentance.
Lastly, I just couldn’t get “in the mood,” for sacrament meeting. I don’t know what was wrong, but I was struggling yesterday morning. Maybe it was because I had prepared so well Saturday night that I wasn’t rushed, rushed, rushed Sunday morning and there for out of form. ~smile~
BUT, when I had finished, I went back to read the title of the talk again and I was struck for the first time that these two things: clean hands and pure heart are TWO different things. It is about repenting and then covenanting not to do them again. This is making sure the flesh is clean as well as the spirit.
“Our sincere desire should be to have both clean hands and a pure heart—both a remission of sins from day to day and to walk guiltless before God.”
“I witness that the Savior will strengthen and assist us to make sustained, paced progress.”
I guess I wasn’t going through the motions anymore.
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