December 27, 2010

I read President Eyring's talk from Conference called Trust in God, Then Go and Do. There are some issues weighing on my heart right now. I want to do what is right. I loved this quote from this talk that says: "You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then you go and do whatever He asks. If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every sermon, song and prayer... you will find it. And if you then go and do what He would have you do, your power to trust Him will grow, and in time you will be overwhelmed with gratitude to find that He has come to trust you." I want God to be able to trust me. I want to be one of His valiant servants. I want to be fully obedient to His commandments, even when it is hard, because I do trust in His promises. His promises are great for those who keep His commandments. Thinking of these things has helped me to strengthen my resolve to do what is right in regards to the issues on my mind. I pray the Lord will lead me in that direction and I can recognize His Spirit. I am grateful for the opportunities I have to prove myself to Him, to prove I will be obedient and that I do trust in Him.

December 16, 2010

Tonight I read Alma 60 which is a scathing letter that Moroni writes to Pahoran, unloading on him all of his frustrations about the apparent neglectfulness of the government. There are a handful of times where Moroni condemns Pahoran and calls him to repentance. I am anxious to read the next chapter which is Pahoran's response. If I remember correctly, he actually is not to blame as Moroni has so assumed, and in spite of the false accusations against him, he is very gracious and forward in his response to Moroni. It seems to me that Moroni is a very passionate person. He seeks to do righteousness and to fight for freedom, and it seems that he assumes anyone who does not share his same fervor is in need of repentance. Again, this letter adds to the collection of "interesting" responses of Moroni that I have been noticing this time through my reading. I have been quick to judge and made assumptions about another before that were completely non-justified, although at the time I express my feelings about the matter, I am certain I am right. I have learned, through my experience, to not assume anything, but to first take time to listen and to understand another. I know I have avoided saying things I'd regret, or hurting another's feelings that way. I do think it's important to speak our mind and to stand up for righteousness, but it's just as important to get the whole picture first before assuming another is to blame or is being wicked. 

September 13, 2010

Tonight I read an Ensign article from August Ensign called Listening as Samuel Listened by Elder Walter F. Gonzales. I liked this article a lot and what really stood out to me is the repetition of the phrase: "speak; for they servant heareth." And that it was "only after he showed his willingness to listen... that the Lord revealed His will." He focuses on two ways that the Lord reveals His will to us: through prophets and through the Spirit. I really liked how he taught the difference between hearing and listening. "When we hear the words of the prophets, we realize that those words are the will of God and that we must be willing to follow them. Hearing the voice of the Spirit is more than feeling His promptings. It is acting according to those promptings." I love receiving and hearing the Lord's will for me in my life. I truly feel that He knows me and He wants my happiness eternally. I trust His plan. I love to hear and obey. It brings great joy to me.