January 4, 2011

Tonight I read an Ensign article by Dallin H. Oaks that he gave to the faculty and students at Harvard early last year. It is called Fundamental to Our Faith and talks of 3 basic fundamental truths that are the foundation of our beliefs as Latter-day Saints. The three are:

1. the nature of God
2. the purpose of life
3. sources of truth

I really enjoyed this article. It was interesting to read, knowing it was directed towards those who may be unfamiliar with my religion. In the first part he talked of our "unique belief" in the separate identities of the Godhead as well as the fact that God and Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and bones. What he said next stood out to me. This belief is "vital to us" but according to interviews with those not of our faith, "we have not effectively conveyed this belief to others." I want to make a point of really internalizing this truth and strengthening my relationship with the Godhead so that when I have the opportunity to share my testimony with others, they will recognize that this truth is "vital" to me. 

In his second section he talks of the purpose of life and I love this part: "We look on bearing and nurturing of children as part of God's plan and a sacred duty of those given the power to participate in it. We believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity." I really do believe this and I am so thankful for the power I've been given to bear children. I love being pregnant and knowing I am involved in the Lord's work in helping to bring His spirit children to earth. I am honored and humbled by the responsibility to nurture my children and to teach them to walk in the ways of the Lord. It is such a blessing and I really do want to have as many children as possible... as many as God feels to bless me with. 

In the third section he talks of sources of truth. I am a truth-seeker. I loved this quote: "We respect our leaders and presume inspiration in their leadership of the Church and in their teachings. But we are all privileged and encouraged to confirm their teachings by prayerfully seeking and receiving revealatory confirmation directly from God." I am so thankful for this privilege and for righteous leaders. I am grateful to be a member of this Church and to be encouraged to seek after knowledge and truth. I am especially grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost to help me discern between the teachings and truth of God and the teachings of man. I hope to always be a good example and a faithful disciple of Christ. I am thankful for my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I treasure it.

December 31, 2010

It's New Year's Eve. I started reading Ether 4:11-12 and was caught up by the word "good." Christ says that "whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me." I looked up the footnotes to the word "good" and was most interested in Moroni 7:12-17. I know I have pondered over these verses before, but tonight I think something new struck me. And that is the reminder and realization that one of Satan's goals is to make that which is evil appear to be good and that which is good appear to be evil. I think I have encountered confusion on this point before, wondering if some things are "good." And some part of verse 16 and 17 in Moroni 7 helped to guide me in my judgements. It says that "every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ... is of God." And "whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, ... is of the devil." The "good" and "evil" comes to a point here: that is basically believing in Christ versus not believing in Christ. As simple as the concept seems, it is hard for me to grasp since I have close family members who absolutely do not believe in Christ. I think of them as "good" people still and am puzzled by this question: can someone be a "good" person while intentionally denying Jesus Christ? According to the way in these verses that is given me to judge, by choosing to deny Christ, it means that those I love who have chosen that path are, in fact, being led by the devil. And that is hard for me to accept, but I do because I believe the scriptures to be true. I hold so much hope that one day their hearts will be softened once again to the Spirit of Christ and they will believe in Him. But until then, I need to recognize that however well-meaning their intentions, they are not led by the Spirit of Christ, and that is the Spirit which I am choosing to follow.

December 6, 2010

Tonight I read an article from the October General Conference by Neil L. Andersen called Never Leave Him. I LOVED this talk!! He pointed out that not one of us is "immune from the influences of the world." We all will have challenging experiences and whether those challenges refine us and deepen our faith or weaken our resolve and cloud our view will depend on whether we approach our challenges with faith or in a worldly way. He asks some questions that are ones I have also asked myself: "How do we remain true to the Savior, His gospel, and the ordinances of His Priesthood? How do we develop the faith and strength to never leave Him?" His answer is that "we need the believing heart of a child." And once we receive that change of heart, we must choose not to be offended or ashamed. He quoted President Monson two different times and they are both quotes that really stood out to me. The first is, "unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith." The second is "your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe." That really highlights the importance of testimony, and of nourishing that testimony daily if I am to "never leave Him." I really loved this talk and appreciated the topic because of its relevance in my life. I do love the Savior and that is why I do my best to keep His commandments.

October 9, 2010

I read Alma chapter 33. The people are asking him more details about how they can plant the word in their hearts and what it is. He uses the existing scriptures to teach them that it is through constant, daily prayer, and through scripture study that they can do so. The thing I love most about this chapter is when he reminds them of Moses and when he lifted the serpent on the stake and all the people had to do to be healed was to look at it. But even with how simple that was, many wouldn't even look at it because they didn't believe it would heal them. Their unbelief kept them from performing an amazingly simple and easy task that would have saved their lives. This illustrates to me the vitalness of my choice to believe. When I choose to believe, it is easy to obey and do the things that will bring healing and wholeness to me. But with disbelief, I perish. I want to always, always be a believer. I want to always choose to believe and then subsequently be obedient. I trust in the Lord. I will keep the faith.

September 28, 2010

Tonight I finally finished the rest of Alma 30, verses 30-60. One thing Alma said to Korihor stood out to me. He said, "ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you." I have learned for myself that doing everything I can to welcome the Spirit's influence and to be worthy of his constant companionship is the one sure way that I can be protected from the pull of the adversary. I know I cannot be deceived (for long) when the Spirit has place in my heart, and likewise, if I "put off the Spirit," I surely will invite spiritual destruction and apostasy into my life. That is not a choice I am willing to make. Standing out in opposition to God is a dangerous place to be because one always has to live with the consequences of their choices. Korihor wasn't willing to back down from his opposition and lost not only his ability to speak, but eventually his life. What a sad end to his life! If I were to apostatize and at some future point discovered I was mistaken, that there is in fact a God, I would truly regret so much of my life and choices. But staying faithful and obedient I have found has helped me to really become a person of strength and great character. If I find out at some future point that there is no God, I would in no way regret the life I have chosen to live. So, for me, I choose to believe. And I choose to keep my heart open to the Spirit. I am grateful for the guiding influence I feel in my life as a result of my choices.

September 10, 2010

Tonight I read Alma 30:1-11. It was saying that all people were on equal ground because they were only punished according to their crimes, not their beliefs. People were free to believe whatever they wanted to in relation to God. One thing I found interesting, contrasting it to our day, is the crime of adultery. In today's society all of the other crimes mentioned in these scriptures we still punish for: murder, stealing, robbing... but adultery... now today that is considered a personal "belief." I wonder when adultery stopped being punishable by law and rather came to be seen as a personal choice/belief. I think it's very interesting that it is no longer seen as a crime, but it is still looked down upon.

September 4, 2010

Tonight I read D&C 63:1-11. It struck me how powerful the Lord is. He truly is in a great position of power over us. Power is an interesting force. I want to understand it more. I really liked verse 9 which says, "But behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe." Belief is always first. I have to believe Him and then He shows me His mighty power unto salvation.

August 13, 2010

Tonight my thoughts are on faith. I opened up my nightstand drawer and saw two little cases each containing a mustard seed. I got to thinking and looked up the scripture in Matthew 17:20. Jesus' disciples had tried and failed to cast out a devil and when they asked Him after He cast it out, why they hadn't been able to, He said, "because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." He goes on to say in the next verse that this power can't be accessed without prayer and fasting. I looked up another verse about mustard seeds in Matthew 13:31-32 which says a mustard seed is the "least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs." I loved these verses and pondering about the power of faith. Truly belief unlocks the possibility for anything. And truly, it starts with just a tiny amount of faith and when that is planted, nurtured and cared for, it turns into something much, much greater. Truly a little tiny bit of faith applied consistently over time grows into something absolutely magnificent. The point is that is starts small and it grows. There are so many examples of this principle at work in so many different areas of life. This is a great reminder of how important belief is in my life.

June 16, 2010

Today I am starting my gospel study in the Gospel Principles manual, chapter 11 on The Life of Christ. I have just finished reading the chapter and I have so many questions. I try to read and study with an open heart and an open mind. There are things about Jesus Christ that I do not understand, especially how it could be that He could be the literal Son of God. Sometimes I wonder if He is real... if God is real... and if they are, where are they? Can they see me? How? How is it all possible? I can understand the concepts I am taught about the Plan of Salvation, my role in it and the role of the Savior. Sometimes it is hard to believe that it is all truly real. That somewhere out there, there is a God, the father of my spirit. That He condescended to bring His Son, Jesus Christ into this mortal existence through a beautiful virgin, Mary.

As I sat pondering and reading that chapter, this scripture popped into my mind. It is in D&C 93:1. It says, "Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am." I don't know a lot of things. There is so much I don't understand and that I can't explain. But I DO know that what Christ taught: that we should love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and we should love others as we love ourselves; I know that living by this love is a good way to live my life. So I chose to follow this path, trusting in the promise of this scripture. One day, I know I will see His face and I will know He is real. One day I will. And until then, I believe it.