"... the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land..." (Ether 6:5)

There is an incredible analogy in Ether chapter 6. As I read it I felt like it was describing 2018 for me. This has been my experience, using the words from Ether:

"...they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind" (Ether 6:6). 

Being buried in the "depths of the sea" over and over, I am impressed by what was pushing them forward in their journey. It was the wind! "The wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind" (Ether 6:8). Even when we feel as though we are drowning, or that perhaps we are constantly being hit with "mountain waves", God has a plan and is "blowing" us forward, towards the "promised land". I know it is sometimes through our trials in which we are blown forward. I'll be honest, knowing this, doesn't make it any easier. Wind, fierce wind, is hard to be in and can cause horrendous damage.

Nevertheless, as I was "...driven forth; ...no monster of the sea could could break [me], neither whale that could mar [me]; and [I] did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water" (Ether 6:10). God does and will continue to give me, and you, light even when we may feel as though we are "under the water". I love the phrase, "no monster could break them" (Ether 6:10). There were moments when I was not sure I could handle another "drop" on top of what I was already experiencing. But then, after changing my prayers from the demand, "...take away this cup from me" to "nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt" (Mark 14:36; see also Matt 26:39, 42), I would be given (and continue to be given) the strength needed to go forward another day, and sometimes another moment. 

As I was buried in a sea of challenges, which I felt on all sides, I prayed more, prayed differently, and expressed gratitude over and over to my Father in Heaven just as the people of the brother of Jared did. "And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord" (Ether 6:9). When I was "encompassed about by many waters [I] did cry unto the Lord, and He did bring [me] forth again upon the top of the waters" (Ether 6:7). As I expressed gratitude for the blessings that He was constantly giving me rather than focusing on troubles that surround me I became more aware of just how much He was truly there with me.

One analogy which took on a new insight for me was the phrase "tight like unto a dish". The verse reads: "...when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and He did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters" (Ether 6:7). Being "tight like unto a dish" is being sealed, safe and secure. No contents fall out of a tightly sealed jar. I have pondered about being "tight" and I realize that my conversations with God through my prayers and scripture study, and keeping my covenants were symbolic of being "tight". We sometimes, in describing a relationship, use the phrase "we are tight". I want to be "tight" with God. So tight, that when I am "buried in the deep" water there will be no water, nor trial, nor flooding- that could hurt me spiritually.

I want you to know that I know God truly cares about what happens and is happening to us. He loves us so very much! He is aware of us and He is the "wind" which is pushing us, and guiding us towards the promised land- to be with Him again. That's what good parents do for us, they love us and guide us, and help us whether we are below or above the water. This I testify.

"...by labouring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, ... did once more establish peace in the land" (Words of Mormon 1:18)

As thoughts of soul expanding experiences have been on my mind, the words of this scripture took on new meaning for me. "Wherefore, with the help of these [holy men], king Benjamin, by labouring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land" (Words of Mormon 1:18).

As a mother, I have been given the help of  holy men and women, such as sisters, brothers, friends, leaders, parents, grandparents, teachers, bishops, and so many more people to help me establish peace. I have labored "with all the might of [my] body and the faculty of [my] whole soul..." to establish peace in our home. Think about these words, faculty of the whole soul. It's with the entirety of our souls that we do all we can to help lift and strengthen the family of God.

As a parent, I do use "all the might of my body" to help my family be united and strengthened in God's love. I do know what true peace, even the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7), feels like and I want my children to feel it, too. I don't know of any parent that doesn't seek and strive to maintain peace in their homes.

And then the words: "...faculty of  his whole soul..." (Words of Mormon 1:18). This phrase caught my attention. Faculty means: "1) an ability, natural or acquired, for a particular kind of action: a faculty for making friends easily. 2) one of the powers of the mind, as memory, reason, or speech: Though very sick, he is in full possession of all his faculties. 3) an inherent capability of the body: the faculties of sight and hearing. 4) exceptional ability or aptitude: a president with a faculty for management."
Nephi said this about "faculty": 

• "Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things" (1 Nephi 15:25).

  To me, this sounds very much like the soul expanding experience of a mother trying to teach her children to learn of God, to put their trust in God. It's the soul expanding experience that comes as I teach my children to repent and keep the commandments because they love God more than the fear of not knowing everything.  I know this, because I do believe I use all the faculties I possess, even those of love, of patience, of hearing the still small voice of the Spirit...I use every single faculty so that my "children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins" (2 Nephi 25:26). 
• • 
    
  • I can tell you that every day is worth the effort. Every day, all the small things, they do add up and make "great things come to pass" (Alma 37:6). I'm writing this for myself, because I find it too easy to forget that all those small things do make all the difference. All of my efforts, using all my faculties, and all my might, is soul expanding- not just their souls, but my soul as well. Keep up the "Great Work" (Alma 26:3, D&C 64:33)! It's totally worth all the effort. This I testify.
    

    

    The small things in life add up and truly expand my soul.

"...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." (Alma 37:6)

Day #20

I am so grateful for this scripture because I sometimes try and do just a little too much or think I am not doing enough... Here's the scripture:

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." (Alma 37:6)

I love how Alma begins by saying one might think he is sharing foolishness. Sometimes I catch myself thinking that my small effort is foolish, or won't make a "big" difference, so I hold back. I'm working on doing it anyway.

In our society of "more is better" I sometimes get tripped up thinking I am not doing enough as I take care of our family and myself. This scripture helps me remember that every effort counts. It's not about how much I can or can't do. But rather, it's about doing the small things that "bring about great things." (1 Nephi 16:29)

I have a couple of  small seeds that I keep to remind me that God starts a tree from a small seed. We have a lot of "seeds" to plant as we go about doing the "small and simple things". Perhaps if we plant enough seeds we will "confound the wise".

"...And [He] fed them with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did He do for them" (Mosiah 7:19)

All these fun adds about "Got...", "Got...", "Got...". Well, I've been thinking about getting and what it is I really want to get and have I "got it". In a conversation with a friend we were discussing the Israelites and manna. They were provided daily with manna and could not gather more than was sufficient for the days needs (see Exodus 16). Ironically enough, manna translates to: "What is it?" (Bible Dictionary: Manna). So I ask myself, what is it I really want? And am I willing to gather all I need to "get it"? Or am I always looking for more?

I then began to think about manna as a miracle, for that is really what it was. God provided food for the Israelites daily when they were wishing they were back in Egypt "[sitting] by the flesh pots, and when [they] did eat bread to the full" and complaining of their deliverance saying to Moses, "for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger" (Exodus 16:3). I know I would have complained if there was no food. If I am even a little hungry I get "hangry", that's angry and hungry at the same time. Not a good combination. As I write this I realize I don't want to be "hangry", I want to be grateful...I want to get thankful. "Got gratitude"?

God is so merciful in His reply to the complaints of the Israelites: "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no" (Exodus 16:4). God does provide- and not just sometimes. He provides every single day! But sometimes I am just too busy looking for what I don't have that I don't see what is being given and provided daily. God's message to them was this: "At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God" (Exodus 16:12). They ate "manna" every day, bread from the Lord.

This leads me to asking what "manna" have I received from the Lord this day? Or "Got manna"? All too often I probably take what really is a miracle as coincidence, or luck, or it's just how things are. But in reality, these small day to day "coincidences" are miracles. One daily miracle in my life is to gather our family together for dinner. What an incredible gift to spend time with my loved ones, hearing about their day, their thoughts, and who they are. What a miracle to be able to get a drink of water from the tap, and add ice to the glass! I don't have to walk to the well to gather water every day. What a miracle that I can read and study the scriptures and the voice of the Lord's prophets with the touch of a button (scriptures found here; Teachings of the Prophets found here).

These may seem like no big deal, but when I start thinking about all the "small and simple things" (Alma 37:6) that make my life so easy and incredibly blessed, it is truly "bread from heaven" (John 6:31). I love what King  Limhi says about manna: "Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; and also, that God who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and caused that they should walk through the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did He do for them" (Mosiah 7:19). God provides manna for us every day that we "might not perish in the wilderness".

So I ask myself, "what is it" I really want to get? And you know what? I "Got Manna"! We all "Got Manna"! Let us open our eyes (see D&C 76:116-118), gather what is offered daily (see Exodus 16:4), because we are "fed...with manna that [we] might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things [does] He do for [us]" (Mosiah 7:19).

"Out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33)

I have been doing physical therapy (or PT-for pain and torture, as one friend called it) to aide in the recovery of my shoulder surgery these past couple of weeks. There is a lot of very small movements involved with PT. These small movements actually, when properly and regularly done, make a great difference. A month ago I could only move my arm about two inches from my side, and it was horribly painful. Well, I have made progress. I can almost lift my arm to shoulder height, almost, with not quite as much pain. Those small movements do make a big difference! This, of course, led me to thinking about the power in doing "small and simple things" (Alma 37:6).

Small and simple things...what exactly does that mean when it comes to living the gospel and being a disciple of Christ daily? For me, it has come to mean that I make time to do the things that everyone sometimes thinks as "the same old answers". This would include: praying (see D&C 31:12; D&C 88:126; 3 Nephi 18:19; Luke 18:1; 3 Nephi 18:18; ), personal scripture study (see 2 Nephi 32:3; 2 Nephi 31:20; D&C 26:1), acting in faith (see Romans 1:17; James 2:18; D&C 8:10; Moroni 7:25-26; Alma 44:4), or repenting (see 3 Nephi 11:17; Moses 6:50; D&C 19:4; Mosiah 4:10; Ezekiel 18:30-31; Matt. 3:2) to list just a few of those "same old answers". These small and simple things that are taught over and over in church, and by our parents and leaders, well, these are what bring "great things...to pass" (Alma 37:6).

Doing my PT exercises daily has made great improvements in my physical ability to move my arm. This is the same with doing the small things that God has given us to do. When we exercise faith by doing the small things over time we "see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things" (1 Nephi 16:29). I'll be honest, it took me a little bit of time to understand this concept with PT. I wanted to see incredible changes overnight. And I really wanted to do just one big thing, not a bunch of small things (see 2 Kings 5:13). I may get weary of doing the exercises, the same small things over and over, but Wow! they make a great difference. Therefore, this I testify that as we "be not weary in well-doing" we will truly come to know that "out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33).

"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater" (Isaiah 55:10).

Some days, when it rains, mud appears. It happens. Mud gets on my boots, my clothes, and then my floor and I don't even know it. So, I have to clean. But there are benefits to mud and rain. As I walked home the other day, there were tiny buds poking their heads out of the ground, through the mud, indicating that spring is about to come. Hallelujah! I need spring. Spring means flowers, warmer weather, and more sunshine. It also means rebirth. I love seeing these buds coming out of the ground after their rest all winter long. As I have pondered this, I think it is a perfect metaphor for life. We all have cycles of good days, bad days, periods of rest and rejuvenation, also rebirth and growth. There is no getting around it, it's part of life to have to go through the "winter" of life in order to enjoy the "spring" of life.

The prophet Isaiah said, "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater" (Isaiah 55:10). Every stage of life is a process and has to be done in order. Gratefully, rain and mud and dung help in this process. Dung is the "fertilizer" that gives us the strength and wisdom to learn and know the difference between right and wrong, truth and error. And we get to do this! We don't have to do it. All the steps are important so that we can the bread that comes from the process, "eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days" (D&C 64:34)

The Savior said, as He has taken care of His vineyard, (the vineyard being symbolic of His people): "Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh" (Jacob 5:47). He cares for and nourishes us, even fertilizing us with dung. Sometimes, the "dung" in our lives is awful, smelly, terrible and very difficult to deal with. Dung isn't something we want to lay around in, but there is always a purpose. Dung as a fertilizer makes us stronger, healthier, and more vibrant. Without fertilizer, eventually plants don't get the nourishment they need and aren't strong enough to withstand the trials and challenges that come their way. Too much dung can also have the same effect and make us weak. We don't need to go around looking for dung to walk in and bring it into our homes, adding an extra burden to our already overloaded garden of life. But sometimes we step in it and we have to clean it up. Dung is part of life...we can choose to wallow in it or clean it up and throw it out where it belongs.

Rest is definitely needed, probably even more than we get in our fast paced, busy lives. In the vineyard, there is a time to rest. Spring reminds me that rest is a good thing. It's funny that winter isn't the reminder of that, but spring is. As these tiny buds are poking their heads out of the ground they are waking up from a long winters rest. We are all seeking to "enter into His rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of His glory" (D&C 84:24). When we are in the "rest of the Lord" the prophet Joseph F. Smith taught:

 “The ancient prophets speak of ‘entering into God’s rest’; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. … The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into ‘God’s rest,’ … rest from doubt, from fear, from apprehension of danger, rest from the religious turmoil of the world” (Gospel Doctrine, 58; see also Matthew 11:28–30)" (New Testament Teacher Resource Manual, (2002), 223–25).

Just as the tiny buds need the "snow from heaven" to water them and they in turn give us beauty and joy, our lives too need water, "that [we] might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25). Christ said, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). As we "drink" of His water, it will fill us up, bringing forth "the fruit of the Spirit...love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith" (Galatians 5:22). Who doesn't need more of that kind of fruit in their lives these days? I know I sure do. This spring we can drink of His water through small acts of kindness, feeling His love spread as the buds of love push their way through the mud and make a wonderful garden in our lives. Gratefully, we have a new day, every day to keep trying, to work in our "garden of life" and keep "pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ" (see 2 Nephi 31:20), planting seeds of faith (see Alma 33:1) and try again.

I love spring. I love the signs of new life, of hope, of rebirth popping out of the ground all around us at this time of year. Every day is a new day, for all things "are the typifying of [Christ]" (2 Nephi 11:4). Christ lives! And we can too can live with renewed faith in Him, every day, a little at a time, just as the tiny buds push their way up through the mud and grow into a beautiful garden. Gratefully we only have to do it one day at a time. This I testify is His way, "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma  37:6).

"Put on the whole armour of God..." Ephesians 6:11

Today I went shopping. Now you have to know something about me~I am not a shopper. It isn't something that I usually spend my time doing for a couple of reasons. One reason, I am tall (6' is tall for a woman) and it is very difficult to find things that fit and so I get discouraged looking and I would rather not spend my time looking at myself in the mirror being reminded that things weren't necessarily made for tall women to buy off of the rack and it takes a lot of looking. And another reason is that I would rather do something else with my time, such as read, go to the temple, weave a basket, go to a museum, or be with a friend. But today was a special day, and I shopped with a dear friend who loves to shop and is good at it. Shopping with her is a very different experience for me. I have done it before and whenever I shop with her I always find things that fit and I feel so good and I end up buying things and she also buys things for me (she is a very dear friend~ it's my mother-in-law if you must know). I always cry when I am with her and her husband because they are so generous and good to me, and not just in buying me stuff. They treat me well with words and kindness. They love me and lift me. The only way to describe it is to say: They are soooo good to me (understatement!)

As I have pondered this today, shopping and clothing and what I wear, and how I am treated, it has brought me back to a topic I think about and ponder a great deal. It is the topic of what is in my closet? What am I wearing? I have discovered that there is a wardrobe described in the scriptures that is not only protective, but also beautiful, powerful, majestic, and celestial. I want to wear this every day. I will do my best to list this wardrobe, I have a list at home that I continue to add to but I am not at home right now, please forgive me if this is an incomplete list, but I ask you to make your own list and discover the power that the Lord promises us as we wear what He has to offer us. I could make a whole book about this topic. I love searching it and studying it. But for your sake of reading and your own learning, I will just list them for now.

-"Put on the whole armour of God"(note, it is the "whole" not hole- because there is not a 1/2 with God. He is bound when we do what He asks of Him! (see D&C 82:10).....(Ephesians 6:11; D&C 27:15)
-"Girt your loins with truth" (truth is eternal, don't try to cheat yourself on this one. It is an incredible power!)...(Ephesians 6:14; D&C 27:16 )
-The "breastplate of righteousness" (this is your heart, protect it with good things, feed it with good works, love, compassion, mercy, hope, good choices)...(Ephesians 6:14; D&C 27:16)
-"Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel" and "the gospel of peace"(this is the direction you are facing, are you facing God?)...(Ephesians 6:15; D&C 27:16)
-"The shield of faith"(faith is a protection against all the fiery darts of the adversary because there is NO fear with faith. With faith you are hand in hand with God)...(Ephesians 6:16; D&C 27:17)
-"The helmet of salvation, (this is our thoughts-Look unto God in every thought, doubt not, fear not! D&C 6:36) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (see, you have to read and study your scriptures daily, there is no way around it, which also helps your thoughts go in the right direction)...(Ephesians 6:17; D&C 27:18)
-"strength" and "beautiful garments" (strength comes from priesthood power and beautiful garments are symbolic of those covenants we make with this power)... (Isaiah 52:1; D&C 113:7-8; 2 Nephi 8:24)
-"put on the new man"(the new man is who we are after we are "born again in Christ" and then we are baptized to show our commitment to being this new person and are "reborn" through His grace each Sunday as we partake of the Sacrament and recommit ourselves to those covenants we have made to follow Him.)... (Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24)
-"bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering...forgive others" (wear these every day and you feel much better.  (see Colossians 3:12-13; Ephesians 4:32)
-And most important CHARITY=CHRIST ...(Colossians 3:14; Galatians 3:27; Moroni 7:47-48)

There is your wardrobe...it will protect, guide, strengthen, lift, change, inspire, make you more beautiful than you ever thought possible. I know it is impossible to wear all of it every moment, but you can work on wearing it a piece at a time every day and it will make a difference a little bit by bit. I have learned that I don't get a fantastic wardrobe overnight. It takes some planning, especially if I don't want to hawk myself in debt. But "by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass" (Alma 37:6) and the Lord is there to help us get the best wardrobe ever! He will make up the difference every day! It is the Lord's way of dressing because it is making us into something more than we could ever dream or become on our own. It is the only way to dress all of the time, for it is a celestial way of dressing and we will feel great about ourselves because we will be wearing the most important item of all~ Jesus Christ, which is charity. This I testify.