I read Elder David A. Bednar's talk from Conference called Receive the Holy Ghost. He emphasizes that the gift of the Holy Ghost isn't just something we are entitled to always as members of the Church, but that we truly must receive it. To do so he suggests we must "sincerely desire to receive the Holy Ghost, appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, and faithfully obey God's commandments." In each of my prayers I always ask the Spirit to be with me. It is something I truly do desire every moment of every day. To "appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into my life," this quote stood out to me of what not to do: "Casualness about or the breaking of covenants and commitments, failing to pray and study the scriptures, and inappropriate thoughts, actions, and language cause the Spirit to withdraw from or to avoid us altogether." I think it's especially easy to fail to pray and study the scriptures, and it is absolutely critical to my spiritual well-being. I am striving to be vigilant about that simply because I want the companionship of the Spirit with me always. I am so thankful for that wonderful gift and all that the Holy Ghost does.
Joseph Smith was quoted in this talk saying that the Holy Ghost "will whisper peace and joy to [our] souls, and it will take malice, hatred, envying, strife, and all evil from [our] hearts, and [our] whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God." I am so thankful to truly feel the absence of "malice, hatred, envying, strife and all evil" from my heart. It brings so much peace and calm to my soul and my relationships with others are blessed. I am so thankful for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is a wonderful feeling I always want to be worthy of.
Showing posts with label covenant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label covenant. Show all posts
December 23, 2010
I read Alma 62:12-52 which is the account of the end of the war between the Nephites and Lamanites that had been going on for so long. Two things stood out to me. The first is how the Nephites had captured a bunch of Lamanites and given them the opportunity to make a covenant to never take up their weapons against the Nephites again. The group of Lamanites who covenanted this numbered 4,000 and the Nephites sent them off to join the people of Ammon. What struck me is that these 4,000 people were no longer considered as or treated as prisoners of war as soon as they made that covenant. They were fully trusted to go on their own to join the people of Ammon. To me, that indicates the power of a covenant. Great trust is established as a result of a covenant. While writing this, I thought of the covenant I have made with God. And now he trusts me, just like those Nephites trusted the Lamanites, that I will go and truly do what I covenanted.
The other thing that stood out to me in these verses was verse 41. It says, "because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depths of humility." This struck me because as a result of the same adversity, some people's hearts were hardened and some hearts were softened. This indicates to me that the hardening or softening of a person's heart doesn't depend on the type of adversity one encounters, rather it depends on the type of person one is. I want to be one who always allows my heart to be softened by adversity, to be humbled by it, rather than hardened.
The other thing that stood out to me in these verses was verse 41. It says, "because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depths of humility." This struck me because as a result of the same adversity, some people's hearts were hardened and some hearts were softened. This indicates to me that the hardening or softening of a person's heart doesn't depend on the type of adversity one encounters, rather it depends on the type of person one is. I want to be one who always allows my heart to be softened by adversity, to be humbled by it, rather than hardened.
December 13, 2010
I read more of the Ensign I did yesterday and finished Russell M. Nelson's article on preparing to go to the temple. I think it really is an excellent article for those who are preparing to enter the temple. I want to use it as a resource when it is time for me to help my children prepare to enter. I really liked the section on the temple garment. He quoted a letter the First Presidency wrote in 1988 and I especially love the last sentence of that: "How it is worn is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior."
I also really liked the section on how keeping the covenants is protective and enabling. I really believe that is true. He compares it to using a water filter: "When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain glory known only to those who obtain eternal life." It is enabling, elevating, protecting... helping us to "soar" above and through the skies.
There was a quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell that really stood out to me, because I often hear (and have probably said myself) other say things like, "I love to be in the temple because I can get away from the world." Well, here is his quote: "Temple work is not an escape from the world, but a reinforcing of our need to better the world while preparing ourselves for another and far better world. Thus, being in the Lord's house can help us to make more difference in the world." Because I really have great desires to make a difference in the world, this quote really spoke to my heart. I love it. I would love to put it up with a picture of the temple to remind myself of how important temple work is in helping me to be the person I want to be.
I also really liked the section on how keeping the covenants is protective and enabling. I really believe that is true. He compares it to using a water filter: "When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain glory known only to those who obtain eternal life." It is enabling, elevating, protecting... helping us to "soar" above and through the skies.
There was a quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell that really stood out to me, because I often hear (and have probably said myself) other say things like, "I love to be in the temple because I can get away from the world." Well, here is his quote: "Temple work is not an escape from the world, but a reinforcing of our need to better the world while preparing ourselves for another and far better world. Thus, being in the Lord's house can help us to make more difference in the world." Because I really have great desires to make a difference in the world, this quote really spoke to my heart. I love it. I would love to put it up with a picture of the temple to remind myself of how important temple work is in helping me to be the person I want to be.
December 12, 2010
Today I read from the October Ensign on temples. I began reading Russell M. Nelson's article called Prepare for the Blessings of the Temple. A part of it really stood out to me. He says: "The temple is the object of every activity, every lesson, every progressive step in the Church." I thought of all the things we do (and will do) as a family, the family home evening lessons, the activities... and wondered if I've ever thought about them with that perspective before: that their purpose, their objective is to lead my family to the temple. I realized I had not thought that before, but would like to from here on out. And the temple objective lessons don't end once we've made it to the temple. After receiving those ordinances, the focus needs to be on consistently remaining committed to the covenants we've made and returning to the temple often so that the promised blessings to our family that we receive in the temple will be ours because of our faithfulness. I really feel a great desire to really focus more on the temple and helping my family prepare to go there. And this temple-focused Ensign is a really good resource to use. There is even a really cute "road map" to the temple for young children. I'm going to be really using this in all I do and say.
November 24, 2010
I read chapter 53 of Alma tonight. In this chapter, it talks of the people of Ammon who had made an oath that they would never take up arms again. With all the wars going on, it was difficult for these people to watch the Nephites fight to defend them and feel they couldn't do anything to help. They almost broke their oath, but were convinced not to by Helaman and his brethren. In verse 19 it says, "they never had hither to been a disadvantage to the Nephites." I believe that because of their faithfulness and example in keeping the commandments and the promise they had made, that they were a great asset to the Nephites by way of being a shining example of righteousness. And they became "a great support, ... at this period of time also" because their sons, who had not made that oath, chose to covenant to "fight for the liberty of the Nephites." The power of those young men was great and I believe that power came more from their righteousness than from physical strength. They are a good example of what true strength and power looks like: "exceedingly valiant for courage," "true at all times, " "sober," they kept the commandments of God and walked uprightly before Him.
November 13, 2010
Tonight I read a few verses in D&C 1:19-24. I really like verse 19 that says, "the weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones." To me that just shows what is truly weak and what is truly strong. And I love verses 21-23 also that express the desires of the Lord in these last days: "that faith might increase in the earth; that mine everlasting covenant might be established; that the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed..." The use of the word "might" stands out to me because it shows a loving Father who has great hopes for his children and who allows them their free agency. These things will come about only if we, as His faithful children, choose to do our part in bringing them about. I, for one, choose to do my part. I love the Lord and His holy purposes. I will follow His plan.
November 7, 2010
Today I read a couple of articles in the new magazine the church released about temples. I have felt the Spirit a lot today, and have enjoyed basking in the peace and joy of the gospel. The first article read was by President Monson about the blessings of the temple. I am really thankful for the temple and to have one so near. It is a wonderful gift to be able to enter the house of the Lord and feel His peace there. The second article I read was by President Hinckley called Why These Temples? I really feel blessed with the promises of being sealed together as an eternal family in the holy temple. I also read half of the article by Boyd K. Packer called The Holy Temple. I really liked the part where he emphasizes that the teaching in the temple is symbolic. And even the temple itself is symbolic, "bathed in light, standing out in the darkness, becomes symbolic of the power and inspiration of the gospel of Jesus Christ standing as a beacon in a world that sinks ever further into spiritual darkness." Again I am so thankful for that wonderful building and especially for the ordinances that take place inside. I am thankful for the Lord's promises to me if I chose to be obedient to His commandments and honor my covenants. This is of supreme importance to me in my life.
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