"...her borders must be enlarged..." D&C 82:14

Continuing the scripture study of  "expanding the soul".

Here's another scripture to ponder as a visual of "expanding the soul" (see Alma 5:2).

"For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments" (D&C 82:14). 

Let's imagine that we are Zion, even the "pure in heart" (Zion). In order for Zion to increase in beauty we must not focus on what the world thinks is beautiful. Our focus must be on the "beauty of the Lord" (Psalms 27:4), which is the "beauty of holiness" (Psalms 29:2, see also 1 Chronicles 16:29).

As Zion, our borders must be enlarged. Our desire to follow God and keep His commandments increases as we seek to know and love Him more through obedience. He blesses us, in that we "have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). From my own experience I can say that our "stakes", those elements which hold us steady and strong when the winds come, are strengthened when I have turned my heart to God. He helps me "arise" and put on the beautiful garments of Zion. The "beautiful garments" are symbols of  covenants. When we make and keep sacred covenants He expands our abilities to do good, to be diligent, to do all that the Father asks us to do (see 1 Nephi 3:7).

I have to share this thought from Elder Richard G. Scott. I love his honesty about being enlarged. It is not easy, yet it will be worth all the pain and effort that comes from such soul expanding experiences:

"To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal good even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it. We are like infants in our understanding of eternal matters and their impact on us here in mortality. Yet at times we act as if we knew it all. When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your petition, you could not grow. Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love" (Trust in the Lord italics added). 

I know that trusting in the Lord is another way that God expands our souls, and enlarges the borders of Zion, even our borders. True beauty comes as we "worship the Lord in the beauty of  holiness" (1 Chronicles 16:29 see also Exodus 28:36). This I testify.

I love going to the temple. For me, it is a soul expanding experience

Trusting in the Lord and growth come when we enter in and keep sacred covenants

Let the beauty of holiness increase and expand your soul

"...their souls did expand..." (Alma 5:9)

Over the past two years, due to the challenge of not being able to exercise much, I have been open to learning a lot more about expanding, or enlarging. Now, this is not something that I have particularly sought after...in fact, it has sometimes been quite obnoxious due to the enormity of the consequences of the craving to eat more and the ability to exercise less. Regardless of the size of things (all puns intended), I have come to learn that there are several blessings which come with enlarging, or expanding, but they don't necessarily affect the waistline. Over the next couple of days I will post some of my thoughts about the topic of expanding and enlarging.

This first insight comes from Alma the younger as he teaches us about examining ourselves in order to be filled with the love and peace of God.

"And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they were saved" (Alma 5:9 italics added).

I love the phrase, "and their souls did expand". Imagine having your soul, your spirit and body expand, enlarge and get bigger, as it is filled with the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. This literally changes your heart (see Alma 5:7,12-14,26).

The expansion of our souls comes after the chains of death are loosed. Christ loosens the chains of death through the power of His resurrection. And He loosens the chains of hell when we turn to Him through the means of repentance and grace (see Alma 5:7,9-10).

Ponder how you are able to expand and get larger spiritually when you turn your heart and thoughts to Christ. He says, "Learn of me, listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and ye shall have peace in me" (D&C 19:23). Nowadays, peace is a commodity that is priceless! It's definitely worth the time to learn of Him and listen to Him.

We expand when we are no longer controlled by fear, but are free to move and live because we are filled with faith (see 2 Tim. 1:7). I have experienced this expansion of faith in Christ in my own life. It is an incredible power that is soul expanding. This kind of enlargement is one that I actually seek for and desire on a daily basis. This is a great description of what I have felt: "...for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand" (Alma 32:34). Just ponder that kind of expansion. (It's "weigh" better than a triple chin (pun and understatement intended).)

Go ahead, gain some "weight" (see D&C 63:66), it really is soul expanding.

My expanding triple chins...worth every soul expanding that occurs.

P.S. Please excuse my puniness as I am very tired and exhausted from the events that life has brought to me. I know that in the long run, it is all for my good.