Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
January 6, 2011
Tonight I read a beautiful talk from the last General Conference by Elder Per G. Malm called Rest Unto Your Souls. Finding this rest includes a "peace of mind and heart, which is the result of learning and following the doctrine of Christ, and becoming Christ's extended hands in serving and helping other." I can say with total honesty of heart that I do feel such a constant daily peace in my soul. I feel such calm and comfort and I know it is a gift from God as a result of my willingness to be obedient to His commandments. I am so grateful for this gift of peace when there is so much confusion, worry, doubt, fear and calamity swarming around on every side. I know this is a gift I've received because of my faithfulness and obedience and I want to always be worthy of it. I want to spend the days of my probation being productive, improving upon my weaknesses, working hard, showing faith and diligence, and serving others. I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It truly does give me "the strength to stand tall and strong and to have [my] soul filled with light, understanding, joy and love." This is a wonderful, beautiful place to be.
December 28, 2010
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.
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.
December 14, 2010
I read Alma 58 which is a letter from Helaman to Moroni about how he and his small army obtained the land of Manti back from the Lamanites without shedding any blood. Reading this account left me smiling at their sheer ingenuity. I also really admire their example of faith and trust in the Lord. They had been waiting for a long time for provisions and more addition to their army, and when the help finally arrived, they knew it still wouldn't be a large enough army to go against the Lamanites. They were concerned and didn't understand when things didn't pan out how they were hoping, yet I love their response, which was to "pour out [their] souls in prayer to God, that He would strengthen [them] and deliver [them] out of the hands of [their] enemies, yea, and also give [them] strength that [they] might retain [their] cities." They received great comfort through their prayer and great peace. Their faith was strengthened and they were filled with hope and courage that the Lord would help them, even though by all appearances it seemed like it would be an easy win for the Lamanites. I think this is a wonderful story to remember when things aren't working out the way I may hope, and when the challenges facing me seem absolutely insurmountable. There is still hope for deliverance through the Lord. There is always hope, no matter what, and I want to always follow the example of Helaman and his armies in how they turned to the Lord in prayer for strength and deliverance. This is how miracles occur.
October 31, 2010
I read Alma 44:11-24 and 45:1-14. The rest of the first chapter concluded the rest of the war that was being fought between the Nephites and Lamanites. The Nephites gave the Lamanites an option to give up their weapons of war and enter into a peace covenant with them. Their leader adamantly refused and continued in his anger. Finally, when he saw that, quite literally, all of his people with him were going to be killed, then he changed his mind and pleaded for the offer that had been extended. Moroni granted it.
I think of how much destruction among the Lamanite people could have been avoided if their leader had been willing to accept a covenant of peace. I think of our interactions in our relationships. There is much "destruction" that can be avoided if we strive to make and keep a covenant of peace. I hope that my family will not get carried away in anger and will choose the path of peace the soonest possible. It is something I will always try to be an example of.
I think of how much destruction among the Lamanite people could have been avoided if their leader had been willing to accept a covenant of peace. I think of our interactions in our relationships. There is much "destruction" that can be avoided if we strive to make and keep a covenant of peace. I hope that my family will not get carried away in anger and will choose the path of peace the soonest possible. It is something I will always try to be an example of.
October 25, 2010
I read Alma 40. Alma is still speaking to his son, Corianton, this time about the resurrection. I am very grateful to know that at some point after I die, my spirit and body will be reunited again. I love all that can be accomplished with a body and think it will feel strange to be without it for a time. I don't know if I realized this before or not, but Alma makes it clear that all those who died before the resurrection of Christ will be resurrected before those who die after his resurrection. He doesn't say when it will happen, and in fact says "when" doesn't really matter. What matters is that there is a resurrection, and that there is a space between the time we die and when we are resurrected. During that time our spirits will be sent, according to our works, either to spirit paradise or spirit prison. I absolutely love the description of spirit paradise: "a state of happiness... rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." I am looking forward to this time. I have no fear whatsoever of death and I hope my loved ones will continue to keep the faith so we all may enjoy an eternal "state of happiness" together.
September 14, 2010
Tonight I felt led to a hymn, When Faith Endures. The lyrics are beautiful poetry, just one simple verse: "I will not doubt, I will not fear; God's love and strength are always near. His promised gift helps me to find an inner strength and peace of mind. I give the Father willingly my trust, my prayers, humility. His Spirit guides; his love assures that fear departs when faith endures." I was thinking of my brother when this hymn came to my mind and I am moved by its powerful message, especially relative to the struggles he is going through right now. The scripture reference to this hymn is D&C 6:36-37: "look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. ... keep my commandments and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven." I love the simplicity of this counsel and the power of the Lord's promise. I love this gospel!
June 3, 2010
A week and a half has gone by since the last time I studied. It is interesting what happens to my thoughts when I have "wrested the scriptures." I feel a huge difference. The power really does come from opening the scriptures and my heart and studying the gospel rather than thinking about doing it or even thinking about what I've experience from doing it in the past.
Anyway, today I really need the power of the word of God to work in me. I need His strength. I don't feel worthy of it. I'm going to begin my study today in the most recent conference report by reading the scriptures listed in the back that are listed as the most often referred to scriptures this conference.
The first is Joshua 1:9 which says, "Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." A footnote to this verse is D&C 38:7 which says, "Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me." It is a comfort to me to know that He is watching me and is with me always. It does help me to be strong and courageous when I remember that He is there with me always.
The next scripture is John 14:6 which says, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." This is a foundational doctrine that I want to always keep in my remembrance.
Next is John 14:27 which says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." I remember when I was around 12 years old, I wanted to make a special scripture sampler: something that was profound and powerful. I searched and searched the scriptures and this was the one I chose. Although I never made the sampler, I have always remembered this scripture with fondness. I find great comfort in the peace of the Lord.
The next scripture is John 19:30 which says, "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." I am grateful that Jesus finished His work.
The next scripture is Galations 5:22 which says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." I am grateful to know of these fruits so I can constantly evaluate my feelings and see if I truly am partaking of the fruit of the Spirit.
Next is 2 Nephi 2:11, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility." This is the symbol I see in my mind when I read that verse:
Anyway, today I really need the power of the word of God to work in me. I need His strength. I don't feel worthy of it. I'm going to begin my study today in the most recent conference report by reading the scriptures listed in the back that are listed as the most often referred to scriptures this conference.
The first is Joshua 1:9 which says, "Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." A footnote to this verse is D&C 38:7 which says, "Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me." It is a comfort to me to know that He is watching me and is with me always. It does help me to be strong and courageous when I remember that He is there with me always.
The next scripture is John 14:6 which says, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." This is a foundational doctrine that I want to always keep in my remembrance.
Next is John 14:27 which says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." I remember when I was around 12 years old, I wanted to make a special scripture sampler: something that was profound and powerful. I searched and searched the scriptures and this was the one I chose. Although I never made the sampler, I have always remembered this scripture with fondness. I find great comfort in the peace of the Lord.
The next scripture is John 19:30 which says, "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." I am grateful that Jesus finished His work.
The next scripture is Galations 5:22 which says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." I am grateful to know of these fruits so I can constantly evaluate my feelings and see if I truly am partaking of the fruit of the Spirit.
Next is 2 Nephi 2:11, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility." This is the symbol I see in my mind when I read that verse:
There is perfect balance and wholeness with opposition, which is an interesting principle. I wonder how the "opposition": wickedness, misery, bad, death, corruption and insensibility will hold a place during the Millennium? If we need these things to be able to have righteousness, happiness, good, life, incorruption and sensibility, all of which will exist in the Millennium, then where will the opposition come from? What will give us the proper balance?
The next scripture is Mosiah 18:9, "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life." If this is the desire of our heart, we are ready to be baptized to show the Lord that we covenant to serve Him and keep His commandments. His promise to us is to pour out His Spirit abundantly upon us. This is the desire of my heart, so I know that I made the right decision for me to be baptized.
The next scripture is Helaman 5:12, "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds; yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." I love this scripture. It is definitely one of my favorites. I love the imagery it brings to my mind about the power, in the midst of the storm, that comes from building on the foundation of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to know that by being built on that foundation, I cannot fall.
The next scripture is D&C 13:1, "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of the Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness." I am grateful for the restoration of the Priesthood of God on earth. I believe these keys are given to worthy Priesthood holders today.
Next is D&C 19:16, "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent." This is such an amazing and humbling gift and I am grateful for it.
Next is D&C 25:13, "Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made." Wow, I really love that phrase: cleave unto the the covenants which thou hast made. I have come to realize over the years the importance of this and it has become one of my prime motivations for choosing to continue my belief in the Church and my desire to keep being LDS. I have made covenants and I will keep them.
The last most referred to scripture was Moses 1:39, of course, which reads: "For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." This is another of my favorite scriptures because it reminds me of the whole purpose of the Lord's plan. It is the why.
This has been an enjoyable study session and I want to work on memorizing each of these scriptures.
The next scripture is Mosiah 18:9, "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life." If this is the desire of our heart, we are ready to be baptized to show the Lord that we covenant to serve Him and keep His commandments. His promise to us is to pour out His Spirit abundantly upon us. This is the desire of my heart, so I know that I made the right decision for me to be baptized.
The next scripture is Helaman 5:12, "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds; yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." I love this scripture. It is definitely one of my favorites. I love the imagery it brings to my mind about the power, in the midst of the storm, that comes from building on the foundation of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to know that by being built on that foundation, I cannot fall.
The next scripture is D&C 13:1, "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of the Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness." I am grateful for the restoration of the Priesthood of God on earth. I believe these keys are given to worthy Priesthood holders today.
Next is D&C 19:16, "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent." This is such an amazing and humbling gift and I am grateful for it.
Next is D&C 25:13, "Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made." Wow, I really love that phrase: cleave unto the the covenants which thou hast made. I have come to realize over the years the importance of this and it has become one of my prime motivations for choosing to continue my belief in the Church and my desire to keep being LDS. I have made covenants and I will keep them.
The last most referred to scripture was Moses 1:39, of course, which reads: "For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." This is another of my favorite scriptures because it reminds me of the whole purpose of the Lord's plan. It is the why.
This has been an enjoyable study session and I want to work on memorizing each of these scriptures.
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