October 14, 2010

I read Alma 34:18-41. I am really loving these sermons of Alma!

I love verse 28 that says if we aren't helping the needy, sick, naked and afflicted, that our prayers our in vain. They don't do anything for us. We must be charitable. I think it's also important to remember the importance of prayer in conjunction with charity. It's not one or the other that brings blessings, it's both.

I love verses 31-33 that teach that now is the time, this is the day to work out our salvation! I am so grateful for every day I have to be alive and to study and live the gospel. I thought a lot about my grandfather as I read the next verses that explain we aren't going to magically change into something we're not after we die, but that the same spirit that possesses our bodies when we die will go with us into the eternal world. The last I knew, my grandfather was still of an unrepentant spirit at his death. My heart yearns for him to repent. I know I'm not the only one who has that hope for him. Even last week, my aunt made reference to him on the other side and all that he must be working out. My prayer is for him to be acting on a desire to repent and accept the power of the Atonement. So many in our family have forgiven him. Every single one of his children was at his funeral service, something no one foresaw even being possible. We just have so much hope and love for you grandpa... please come unto Christ! This is the yearning of my heart.

I loved in verse 38 where it says, "contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but receive it." Isn't that what the natural man does? Resists and argues with those promptings of the Spirit. So I love this scripture. Just stop contending and receive the Spirit. The blessings for doing so are so great it's impossible to comprehend.

And finally, I love verse 41: "Have patience and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions." I couldn't help but think of my brothers and sisters struggling with same sex attraction. Please, have patience... keep the faith! I and many others, especially the Lord are here to support you and love you.

September 21, 2010

Tonight I read a few verses in D&C 63:1-13. Within those verses it talks about faith and sign seeking. The Lord says signs will come, to everyone... but it won't save them. We are saved by our faith... faith that promotes "mighty works" that are "good [for] men unto [the Lord's] glory." Signs follow that kind of faith, not precede it. And regardless of whether or not one chooses to live by faith, the day will come when "all flesh shall know that I am God." I really really look forward to that day. I wish that all of my loved ones would choose to live by mighty faith, however, some have chosen atheism. I love living by faith. I love feeling that I am a participant in the Lord's work. I love keeping the commandments of God.

July 27, 2010

Tonight I am reading an Ensign article called What Did the Pioneers Bring? by Stephen L. Richards. I really enjoyed this article and am very grateful for the things that my pioneer ancestors brought to fruition. I am inspired by their faith, vision, and purpose and hope I can live my life in a similar way: willing to do whatever the Lord requires of me and being absolutely committed to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. One phrase stuck out to me in this article and that is that, "if we live for it, we are destined to be associated with Heavenly Father in carrying forth His eternal works in all time to come." It is an honor to believe that is even possible! I love the Lord's work and plan to be a part of it for the rest of my life. I am grateful and humbled for the invitation and the opportunity to come to know my Father better and to learn more of the Atonement.

July 13, 2010

Tonight I read half of a talk by President Uchtdorf from the Conference Ensign. It is titled Continue in Patience. I really loved what he said about patience, especially in relation to my life right now. Patience isn't just waiting, it's "working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results [don't] appear instantly or without effort." He also implies that "steady and consistent work" is synonymous with "patient persistence." He says, "Patience means staying with something and doing all that we can - working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed." I loved this! It buoyed up my spirit in relations to my success with my business. I feel like I am learning to be patient with everything, especially myself. I am so grateful for this principle of patience and want to lead with this character trait.