Showing posts with label premortal life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label premortal life. Show all posts
December 7, 2010
I opened my scriptures to D&C 127:1-3 and there read the words of Joseph Smith speaking of some persecution he had been enduring. He said, basically, that all the persecution he has experienced doesn't make any sense unless he was "ordained from the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves." I like his attitude towards his afflictions. He really had all trust in the Lord and knew that no matter what, God would "mete out a just recompense of reward" to all those who oppressed not only him, but the Saints as well. He says to judge for ourselves whether his work was good or bad. I believe he suffered the persecution he did because the powers of darkness were working to thwart the work he was doing. I am grateful that all he set in motion is still moving forward and that I have had the opportunity and blessing of being part of it. I am thankful for my membership in this Church and I believe this Church holds the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, including the authority to act in the name of God. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and all that he did, all that he sacrificed. His life has profoundly impacted mine all these hundreds of years later and I am grateful for that.
September 18, 2010
Today I had a really awesome encounter in the scriptures. I went to the temple this afternoon, seeking an answer and some guidance. I opened the scriptures in the celestial room, expecting an answer and I opened up to Alma 13. I began reading and at first wondered if I should choose another place to read because I was expecting my answer in a few short verses relative to my struggles and this chapter was talking about men being called to the priesthood. I didn't really feel it was applicable, but still, I felt compelled to continue reading there. So I did and I was so touched by the Spirit strongly in two ways. I read Alma 13-15.
First I was really touched by the verses in chapter 13 that talked about the choices we made in our premortal existence and how the blessings and opportunities in this life are a direct result of our choices in that premortal realm. We were left to choose good or evil and we chose the good with exceedingly great faith. That encouraged me because I know I chose the good and showed exemplary faith. I know that because of the blessings I have right now. Because mostly of the simple fact that I have the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. It is empowering to know of my premortal choices because that way I know I have chosen good, I have chosen the Lord's plan and I can continue to do so here in mortality.
The second thing that really struck me throughout the next few chapters is the adversity and pain that Alma and Amulek experienced as a direct result of their efforts to preach the gospel of repentance. The things that happened to them and the other believers are so atrocious that it brought tears to my soul to think of what they were feeling in those extremely difficult situations. They were absolutely committed to preaching the gospel of repentance, no matter the sacrifice! That was such an amazing example to me, and it was in that example that I learned my lesson, that I received my answer. I am extremely committed to the process of character growth and development no matter the sacrifices because I know it will prepare me to work out my own salvation and to be prepared to be an effective instrument of the Lord. I'm ready to learn more and push a little harder to grow a little more. It is time. And I am so grateful for the time spent in the temple today as well as the Spirit that accompanied me in my heart that helped me receive these answers that were just for me at this particular time in my life.
First I was really touched by the verses in chapter 13 that talked about the choices we made in our premortal existence and how the blessings and opportunities in this life are a direct result of our choices in that premortal realm. We were left to choose good or evil and we chose the good with exceedingly great faith. That encouraged me because I know I chose the good and showed exemplary faith. I know that because of the blessings I have right now. Because mostly of the simple fact that I have the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. It is empowering to know of my premortal choices because that way I know I have chosen good, I have chosen the Lord's plan and I can continue to do so here in mortality.
The second thing that really struck me throughout the next few chapters is the adversity and pain that Alma and Amulek experienced as a direct result of their efforts to preach the gospel of repentance. The things that happened to them and the other believers are so atrocious that it brought tears to my soul to think of what they were feeling in those extremely difficult situations. They were absolutely committed to preaching the gospel of repentance, no matter the sacrifice! That was such an amazing example to me, and it was in that example that I learned my lesson, that I received my answer. I am extremely committed to the process of character growth and development no matter the sacrifices because I know it will prepare me to work out my own salvation and to be prepared to be an effective instrument of the Lord. I'm ready to learn more and push a little harder to grow a little more. It is time. And I am so grateful for the time spent in the temple today as well as the Spirit that accompanied me in my heart that helped me receive these answers that were just for me at this particular time in my life.
August 20, 2010
Tonight I read a Conference talk by Elder Neil L. Andersen called Tell Me the Stories of Jesus. What a beautiful talk it was. I loved one of his opening statements: "We hold in our arms the rising generation. They come to this earth with important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. We cannot be casual in how we prepare them. Our challenge is not to create a spiritual core in their souls but rather to fan the flame of their spiritual core already aglow with the fire of their premortal faith." That goes along with the other talk I read recently as well as the thoughts I've had about our premortal faith while pondering the lives of these new babies coming here.
As I have read and thought about this talk tonight, I've thought more of my son. I can do a better job at remembering who he is, remembering that he already has a faithful spirit and remembering my responsibility to help that faith stay burning in his heart. I can do better at teaching him of Jesus. I really appreciate this talk for that reminder and encouragement. Elder Andersen said, "Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior's life when they wonder what to do in their own lives?" As I read that, I thought about myself too and realized how much I really do look to the Savior's example when pondering what to do in my life. I attribute that deep testimony to the things I was taught in my youth by my parents and by my teachers and friends. I am so grateful I have been taught of Jesus and I want my children to receive that same gift. I can always be learning more of Him myself and remembering to speak more frequently of Him in my home. I love Him and I am so grateful for His example and the life He lived, the legacy He left and the gifts He gave us.
As I have read and thought about this talk tonight, I've thought more of my son. I can do a better job at remembering who he is, remembering that he already has a faithful spirit and remembering my responsibility to help that faith stay burning in his heart. I can do better at teaching him of Jesus. I really appreciate this talk for that reminder and encouragement. Elder Andersen said, "Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior's life when they wonder what to do in their own lives?" As I read that, I thought about myself too and realized how much I really do look to the Savior's example when pondering what to do in my life. I attribute that deep testimony to the things I was taught in my youth by my parents and by my teachers and friends. I am so grateful I have been taught of Jesus and I want my children to receive that same gift. I can always be learning more of Him myself and remembering to speak more frequently of Him in my home. I love Him and I am so grateful for His example and the life He lived, the legacy He left and the gifts He gave us.
August 16, 2010
Tonight I read a Conference talk from the Young Women's meeting called Remember Who You Are by Elaine S. Dalton. Talks such as this one make me feel absolutely majestic. I love that feeling. I believe absolutely what she says: "You brought your faith with you when you came to the earth. ... You fought with your faith and testimony to defend the plan that was presented by God. ... You stood with [the Savior] and you were eager for the opportunity to come to earth. You knew what was going to be required of you. You knew it would be difficult, yet you were confident not only that you could accomplish your divine mission but that you could make a difference."
Thoughts such as these are on my mind whenever I think of a new baby coming to earth. I really felt a closeness to the Spirit as I pondered my niece's spirit in the week before she was born. And as I thought, I could sense her spirit... her excitement and strong faith. I felt how powerful she was. And I could sense she was very anxious to come to earth and accomplish her mission. The night I thought those things, as I was driving home, suddenly I felt the words in my mind, "She's not the only one!" I knew in that instant that there was another faithful spirit who has exercised great faith and prepared themselves to come to earth and that they were absolutely ready to come to earth. It was an incredible feeling. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. So that night I stopped by the store to pick up a pregnancy test and sure enough, it read positive after I took it.
It is truly an honor to be a daughter, a wife and a mother in the kingdom of God. I absolutely believe that "[I have] inherited a royal birthright. ... [I have] a divine heritage. [I am] literally [a] royal daughter of [my] Father in Heaven. [I] was born to be a queen." I love love love knowing who I am. I feel like standing tall and being who I really am. I want to always be developing my true beauty... the kind of "beauty that is earned through faith, repentance, and honoring [my] covenants."
Thoughts such as these are on my mind whenever I think of a new baby coming to earth. I really felt a closeness to the Spirit as I pondered my niece's spirit in the week before she was born. And as I thought, I could sense her spirit... her excitement and strong faith. I felt how powerful she was. And I could sense she was very anxious to come to earth and accomplish her mission. The night I thought those things, as I was driving home, suddenly I felt the words in my mind, "She's not the only one!" I knew in that instant that there was another faithful spirit who has exercised great faith and prepared themselves to come to earth and that they were absolutely ready to come to earth. It was an incredible feeling. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. So that night I stopped by the store to pick up a pregnancy test and sure enough, it read positive after I took it.
It is truly an honor to be a daughter, a wife and a mother in the kingdom of God. I absolutely believe that "[I have] inherited a royal birthright. ... [I have] a divine heritage. [I am] literally [a] royal daughter of [my] Father in Heaven. [I] was born to be a queen." I love love love knowing who I am. I feel like standing tall and being who I really am. I want to always be developing my true beauty... the kind of "beauty that is earned through faith, repentance, and honoring [my] covenants."
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