This morning at breakfast, as I heaved a huge sigh and said to my youngest son, "Sometimes I just..." "Need a hug?" He interjected. Yes, sometimes I just need a hug. And it started me thinking about how sometimes in life, we just need a hug. But what do you do on those days when you are alone and no one is there to give you a hug? Because right now, our weather is the beginning of grayer and shorter days and longer nights and cold weather...this could be the focus of darkness and feelings of loneliness. Not that you have this feeling all the time, but sometimes, you just... need a hug. So, how can we deal with these real feelings so that we don't "wallow" in this? (My friend said that yesterday "wallow", and it was perfectly said! Wallowing isn't a good thing, it just leaves us stuck in the mud.) So, how do you get a hug when no one else is around?
I have found a way that helps me feel like I'm getting a hug and like hugging the whole world. It really is a simple thing. It is right in line with the "great commandment" (Matt. 22:36-40) and keeping the commandments is an automatic happy feeling (see Mosiah 2:41). But sometimes we need an extra boost because we are living in this "fallen state" (see 1 Nephi 10:6). The extra boost comes when we "are in the service of [our fellow beings [we] are only in the service of [our] God" (Mosiah 2:17). Serving others helps us get outside of ourselves and have a new view, and see things with a different perspective. Sometimes just giving us the opportunity to serve others helps us say, "I'll keep my bag of troubles, or trials. They aren't so bad." And we are able to "give thanks" for the trials or the little trip-me-ups with which we are blessed. As we serve others we are serving Christ. And it is a way we can "hug" Him. He wants us to love others. By keeping His commandments (the greatest is to love God and love our neighbor) we show our love for Him (John 14:15). We can "hug" Him and He hugs us back, "encircling [us] about eternally in the arms of his love" (2 Nephi 1:15). Feel Him loving you. Feel His hug as you serve others.
Giving thanks...that is a powerful way to give and receive a hug. We have been commanded to "give thanks in all things" (Mosiah 26:39; see also Ephesians 5:20; D&C 59:7). When we start giving thanks for everything something happens inside. There comes a feeling of love, of appreciation, of acceptance, of brotherly kindness. We let go of envy and are humbled by the blessings which Heavenly Father has given us individually and we stop comparing what we don't have to what others might have. Giving thanks is a gift we can give back to our Creator, because He has us specifically in mind when He gives us all we have. It is a way we can "hug" our Savior. He has given us EVERYTHING!!! He has given us our very lives, (Mosiah 4:21), even His own life, that we might live (see Mosiah 3:7-10).
In the Children's Primary Song I Feel My Savior's Love the last verse says: "I'll share my Savior's love by serving others freely. In serving I am blessed. In giving I receive." This is truth. Feel it. We can feel the Savior's love all around us as we serve and give thanks in all we have.This I testify is the way to receive and to give hugs!
Many Hugs!!! OOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Monday, November 07, 2011
Sunday, November 06, 2011
"...It is according to faith that miracles are wrought..." (Moroni 7:37)
There are a lot of things that people fear: fear of heights, fear of death, fear of the dark, just to name a few. When I was little I would have a reoccurring dream of the world being on fire and my family could fly and I couldn't. It was a terrible nightmare that I would have a lot. I feared having it. Fear is an interesting thing that effects our body. It is a natural response that takes place when we feel threatened or when we are put in a stressful situation. Fear isn't all bad. It helps to protect us from danger and helps that natural response kick in to run when we need to get out of somewhere. Fear can protect us from danger, but fear is a reaction to things that are around us or sometimes in us, such as our thoughts and not true protection. We need to learn how to control our fear and rely upon something more powerful and stronger than fear for protection. Something so powerful when developed and used properly it can move mountains ( see Ether 12:30), if needed we could have children when told it isn't possible (see Hebrews 11:11) , and or even be translated (see Hebrews 11:5). The power of faith is more powerful than fear.
But in our world where the impossible is made to seem possible, like in the movies when the not so great guy is able to don stretchy pants, a cape, and get some super powers (miraculously) and fly around the world, or skip around the city and save every one by beating them up, all the while he can drink all the alcohol he wants and sleep with all the women he wants. And he has all the money he could want by breaking every commandment including, but not limited to: lying, cheating, getting even, stealing. This isn't power at all. This is fake. This is what we should fear, but we look at it as entertainment and think nothing of it as our children watch, believing (or perhaps wishing) that life should be handed to them on a platter with no consequences...kind of hard to swallow even as I type this.
Real power comes from faith in Jesus Christ and must be based "upon correct knowledge or it cannot produce the desired results. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action; it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for. A lack of faith (or fear) leads one to despair, which comes because of iniquity (sin or unrighteousness)" (Bible Dictionary). This is real power! If we want to have the kind of power that will change our life, we must go to the real source of All Power. And this is Jesus Christ.
Okay, if faith is more powerful than fear, why is it that we seem to fall back on fear so much? We have "fears" that creep into our lives or things happen and we react out of fear. But, we don't have to react out of fear. It is getting to the point that we don't react out of fear, but act in faith that the Lord wants to bring us to. It is a process of growing and learning. He says: "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36). Having the Savior be a part of every thought...that is really what He wants for us. He wants us to be one with Him (John 17:21). That is why He comfortingly tells us, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10). That's powerful stuff. If we want this power, then we need to believe in Him, and we need to start somewhere, we must have "faith to believe" and He will start working in our lives and miracles will take place (see Alma 37:40).
In today's world we are always wanting miracles to happen. And "it is according to faith that miracles are wrought" (Moroni 7:37). Miracles cease "if there be no faith among the children of God" (Ether 12:12). There are miracles of healing, protection, and powers greater than man. But the "greater miracle is a mighty change of heart by a son or daughter of God (see Mosiah 5:2). A change of heart, including new attitudes, priorities, and desires, is greater and more important than any miracle involving the body." (Elder Dallin H. Oaks). The miracle of a changed heart, a person whose "heart is changed through faith on [Christ]; therefore, [they] have been "born of him"(Mosiah 5:7) is a miracle that effects eternity. Faith in Christ is more powerful than fear. This miracle, a changed heart and being born of Christ, can take place every day as "tender mercies...because of [our] faith, to make [us] mighty even unto the power of deliverance" (1 Nephi 1:20).
Christ is with us as we exercise our faith in Him and we have nothing to fear. He says: "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world." (D&C 50:41). We get to choose faith over fear. This I testify has the power to work miracles in our lives. This will change eternity.
But in our world where the impossible is made to seem possible, like in the movies when the not so great guy is able to don stretchy pants, a cape, and get some super powers (miraculously) and fly around the world, or skip around the city and save every one by beating them up, all the while he can drink all the alcohol he wants and sleep with all the women he wants. And he has all the money he could want by breaking every commandment including, but not limited to: lying, cheating, getting even, stealing. This isn't power at all. This is fake. This is what we should fear, but we look at it as entertainment and think nothing of it as our children watch, believing (or perhaps wishing) that life should be handed to them on a platter with no consequences...kind of hard to swallow even as I type this.
Real power comes from faith in Jesus Christ and must be based "upon correct knowledge or it cannot produce the desired results. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action; it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for. A lack of faith (or fear) leads one to despair, which comes because of iniquity (sin or unrighteousness)" (Bible Dictionary). This is real power! If we want to have the kind of power that will change our life, we must go to the real source of All Power. And this is Jesus Christ.
Okay, if faith is more powerful than fear, why is it that we seem to fall back on fear so much? We have "fears" that creep into our lives or things happen and we react out of fear. But, we don't have to react out of fear. It is getting to the point that we don't react out of fear, but act in faith that the Lord wants to bring us to. It is a process of growing and learning. He says: "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36). Having the Savior be a part of every thought...that is really what He wants for us. He wants us to be one with Him (John 17:21). That is why He comfortingly tells us, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10). That's powerful stuff. If we want this power, then we need to believe in Him, and we need to start somewhere, we must have "faith to believe" and He will start working in our lives and miracles will take place (see Alma 37:40).
In today's world we are always wanting miracles to happen. And "it is according to faith that miracles are wrought" (Moroni 7:37). Miracles cease "if there be no faith among the children of God" (Ether 12:12). There are miracles of healing, protection, and powers greater than man. But the "greater miracle is a mighty change of heart by a son or daughter of God (see Mosiah 5:2). A change of heart, including new attitudes, priorities, and desires, is greater and more important than any miracle involving the body." (Elder Dallin H. Oaks). The miracle of a changed heart, a person whose "heart is changed through faith on [Christ]; therefore, [they] have been "born of him"(Mosiah 5:7) is a miracle that effects eternity. Faith in Christ is more powerful than fear. This miracle, a changed heart and being born of Christ, can take place every day as "tender mercies...because of [our] faith, to make [us] mighty even unto the power of deliverance" (1 Nephi 1:20).
Christ is with us as we exercise our faith in Him and we have nothing to fear. He says: "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world." (D&C 50:41). We get to choose faith over fear. This I testify has the power to work miracles in our lives. This will change eternity.
"Choose faith over doubt,
choose faith over fear,
choose faith over the unknown and the unseen,
and choose faith over pessimism."
Saturday, November 05, 2011
"Truly God is good..." (Psalms 73:1)
I got to hear an incredible violin concert last night. It was a private concert, performed by my niece and her husband to an audience of about 15-18 people. It was a practice recital, kind of a dress rehearsal if you will. So, if they made a mistake, they could "fix it". There wasn't a whole lot of fixing going on in this concert. It was amazing to hear the sound of the music and the tone and the emotion in their playing, and the speed of their fingers! The two of them playing a duet together, awesome, in the true sense of the word. The spirit is so powerful in music. I get so moved and touched by good music. God is so good to us! He blesses us with such good things!
Yes, He blesses us with good music, good food, good friends and family, good health, good life! He blesses us with all things. And I started thinking.."[I] have come to a knowledge of ...His goodness and have tasted of his love"(Mosiah 4:11). His goodness is so amazing and powerful! So powerful that He delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians (Exodus 3:8), which is symbolic of the deliverance that the Savior would eventually offer to them, and does now offer to everyone, from physical and spiritual bondage, a constant reminder of the "goodness of God".
What a blessing for "the riches of His goodness...[because]...the goodness of God leadeth [us] to repentance" (Romans 2:4). (Not keen on repentance, read Laundry and The Physician). With His goodness, we get a second chance, again and again because He knew we would need more than one chance. He knew we would all be "beggars...begging for a remission for [our] sins" and does He let us beg "in vain?" No. He pours out His Spirit upon us and causes that our hearts be filled with joy and causes that our mouths can't speak "so exceedingly great is our joy" when we repent and return to Him.(Mosiah 4:19-20). That is incredible goodness!
His "infinite goodness" (Mosiah 5:3) is- that He has "prepared a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit" (2 Nephi 9:10). We aren't stuck when we make a mistake or commit sin, which is spiritual death/death of the spirit or when we physically die/death of the body. His "Infinite goodness" is the atonement, made for you and me, so that we can "sing the song of redeeming love" (Alma 5:26) because our hearts don't have to stay the same. We don't have to keep repeating the bad notes in our lives when we make a mistake. We can and do, through faith in Jesus Christ, have His goodness fill us up and make up the difference.
The question I ask, are we still "singing the song of redeeming love" (Alma 5:26)? Do we continue to practice the music the Savior has for us, and continue to "feel the music" after the concert is over, so to speak? Do we allow a "mighty change wrought in [our] hearts" (Alma 5:13) because faith in Jesus Christ helps us have a permanent change, changing the "inward man" (Romans 7:22)? Changed to the point that "His image [is] in your countenance" (Alma 5:14) and it reflects who you are on the inside out to all who see you. The "power of continuing in the goodness of God" (D&C 86:11).
I used to think this was a one time concert and I would beat myself up for every little thing. It's not. The "goodness of God" is that He let's us prepare daily. "...This life is the time for [us] to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for [us] to perform [our] labors" (Alma 34:32). Isn't that "goodness"! This life is to prepare and today we perform, and so we can't and must not "procrastinate the day of our repentance (or returning/turning our hearts and minds to God!)" (Alma 34:33). Just as the concert I heard last night was amazing, it would not have been had they procrastinated their preparation. We too can perform our labors, labors of love (see 1 Thess. 1:3), of kindness (see D&C 121:42), of serving others (see Mosiah 2:17), of "forgiving one another" (Ephesians 4:32), of doing good (see Gal. 6:10), or whatever the Spirit moves us to "do that is right" (1 Kings 11:38)! (Note: it isn't "[fitting or proper] that [we]...should be compelled in all things" (D&C 58:26) but that is a blog for a whole other day.)
Let us "continue in [His] goodness" (D&C 86:11) so that we can practice and perform that which will bring us joy so great we won't even be able to speak! Singing is really a good way to perform as our souls will swell with the words: "Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How Great Thou Art" (Great Christian Hymns)! The music is there and has been written, we just need to follow the Master, the One who is Good and will help us perform beyond our own abilities. God is good. This I testify.
Yes, He blesses us with good music, good food, good friends and family, good health, good life! He blesses us with all things. And I started thinking.."[I] have come to a knowledge of ...His goodness and have tasted of his love"(Mosiah 4:11). His goodness is so amazing and powerful! So powerful that He delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians (Exodus 3:8), which is symbolic of the deliverance that the Savior would eventually offer to them, and does now offer to everyone, from physical and spiritual bondage, a constant reminder of the "goodness of God".
What a blessing for "the riches of His goodness...[because]...the goodness of God leadeth [us] to repentance" (Romans 2:4). (Not keen on repentance, read Laundry and The Physician). With His goodness, we get a second chance, again and again because He knew we would need more than one chance. He knew we would all be "beggars...begging for a remission for [our] sins" and does He let us beg "in vain?" No. He pours out His Spirit upon us and causes that our hearts be filled with joy and causes that our mouths can't speak "so exceedingly great is our joy" when we repent and return to Him.(Mosiah 4:19-20). That is incredible goodness!
His "infinite goodness" (Mosiah 5:3) is- that He has "prepared a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit" (2 Nephi 9:10). We aren't stuck when we make a mistake or commit sin, which is spiritual death/death of the spirit or when we physically die/death of the body. His "Infinite goodness" is the atonement, made for you and me, so that we can "sing the song of redeeming love" (Alma 5:26) because our hearts don't have to stay the same. We don't have to keep repeating the bad notes in our lives when we make a mistake. We can and do, through faith in Jesus Christ, have His goodness fill us up and make up the difference.
The question I ask, are we still "singing the song of redeeming love" (Alma 5:26)? Do we continue to practice the music the Savior has for us, and continue to "feel the music" after the concert is over, so to speak? Do we allow a "mighty change wrought in [our] hearts" (Alma 5:13) because faith in Jesus Christ helps us have a permanent change, changing the "inward man" (Romans 7:22)? Changed to the point that "His image [is] in your countenance" (Alma 5:14) and it reflects who you are on the inside out to all who see you. The "power of continuing in the goodness of God" (D&C 86:11).
I used to think this was a one time concert and I would beat myself up for every little thing. It's not. The "goodness of God" is that He let's us prepare daily. "...This life is the time for [us] to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for [us] to perform [our] labors" (Alma 34:32). Isn't that "goodness"! This life is to prepare and today we perform, and so we can't and must not "procrastinate the day of our repentance (or returning/turning our hearts and minds to God!)" (Alma 34:33). Just as the concert I heard last night was amazing, it would not have been had they procrastinated their preparation. We too can perform our labors, labors of love (see 1 Thess. 1:3), of kindness (see D&C 121:42), of serving others (see Mosiah 2:17), of "forgiving one another" (Ephesians 4:32), of doing good (see Gal. 6:10), or whatever the Spirit moves us to "do that is right" (1 Kings 11:38)! (Note: it isn't "[fitting or proper] that [we]...should be compelled in all things" (D&C 58:26) but that is a blog for a whole other day.)
Let us "continue in [His] goodness" (D&C 86:11) so that we can practice and perform that which will bring us joy so great we won't even be able to speak! Singing is really a good way to perform as our souls will swell with the words: "Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How Great Thou Art" (Great Christian Hymns)! The music is there and has been written, we just need to follow the Master, the One who is Good and will help us perform beyond our own abilities. God is good. This I testify.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
"...repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart..." (3 Nephi 10:6)
Laundry, laundry, laundry. I have a lot of laundry to do. Sometimes, if I don't stay on top of it, it feels like it is a mountain that needs to be climbed. But, it's just laundry...that needs to be washed and then dried and then folded and put away and then worn and then washed again. Some people have the real luxury of having someone else do their laundry and they can "send it out" and pretend they don't even do laundry. But reality is, we all get our clothes dirty. Even if we were to just throw away the clothes we wear and refuse to do laundry, we would be denying the fact that we got our clothes dirty. Some might even say, well, I don't because I don't drop anything on them. Well...they start to stink after a while and they still need to be cleaned. Some people may just wear dirty clothes all the time and not even notice they are even dirty because they haven't done laundry for so long.
Well, guess what...we can do "laundry" every day and be clean and it's not a burden or feel like we are climbing a mountain. (And sometimes, climbing a mountain is wonderful. It is a joy to have a higher view from the top of the mountain and then see all that is accomplished once we have climbed it.) Laundry is really a form of repentance. "The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the word used for this concept of repentance is 'shube:'" (Elder Theodore M. Burton) meaning to turn, as in turn away from sin or return to the Father. In doing laundry we are trying to return our clothes to their original state of cleanliness. Laundry is a necessary part of life. Laundry can actually help us slow down and take time to ponder and "get a fresh view" of things in our life.The pondering time laundry offers can be invaluable. Just as repentance is invaluable and is there to give us a "fresh view". The beautiful translation from the Greek word that repentance is taken "denotes a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined" (Bible Dictionary). Repentance is talked about over and over and the Lord has "called after you and is still calling after you" (Alma 5:7). The question is whether or not we want to follow His call to repent, to return to Him. Notice, there is no a mention of suffering in that definition of repentance. There is only a turning. Turning to God.
Repentance can also mean "conversion" (see Matt. 3:2 footnote a). God wants us to be converted to Him, to be totally committed to righteous, clean living. Why? Because He knows we are "blessed and happy...[when we] keep the commandments of God...[we] are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if [we] hold out faithful to the end [we] are received into heaven, that thereby [we] may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness" (Mosiah 2:41)! That is why our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ want us to repent, so we can be with them, now, in our happiness and in our life by following them here, and in the life to come. He doesn't want us to send our laundry, or our repenting out to someone else, thinking that we can buy our way out of our sins or out of our troubles. He wants us to turn our hearts to Him on our own. It is what He asks of us (D&C 4:2). Because when we send our laundry out, we think we don't need Him and we rely upon ourselves and say "there is no God" (Psalms 14:1; Alma 11:24; 2 Nephi 2:13). And in reality, the only way things are ever going to be completely clean, completely "blotted out" is if we "repent...and [are] converted" (Acts 3:19) to Christ.
Be converted to Christ, not to man, or to money or to self or to stuff. They can't "clean" us, but through the atonement, the sacrifice that Christ made, we can be clean and our hearts are changed. We must "apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified (this is conversion); for we believe (this is faith) in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things " (Mosiah 4:2). This is how we can get completely clean, every day of our lives. It isn't a one time application, but as we daily apply the atonement in our lives, we "receive a remission of [our] sins, and [have] a peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith [we have] in Jesus Christ" (Mosiah 4:3). We can and do become clean and more holy and we can learn "the difference between the holy and profane, and...to discern between the unclean and the clean" (Ezekiel 44:23, see also Leviticus 10:10). We don't have to walk around in dirty clothes, i.e. our sins, because "the Lord shall have washed away the filth" (2 Nephi 14:3-4).
As we do our daily laundry, remember that it is the Lord we are returning to. He loves us and wants us home. He will help us do all the cleaning, all our repenting, that we need to in our lives, every day. He will never give up on us. "How oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart" (3 Nephi 10:6). Repentance is a simple, daily task with a major blessing that helps us "always remember Him" (D&C 20:77,79). This I testify is how to do laundry.
Well, guess what...we can do "laundry" every day and be clean and it's not a burden or feel like we are climbing a mountain. (And sometimes, climbing a mountain is wonderful. It is a joy to have a higher view from the top of the mountain and then see all that is accomplished once we have climbed it.) Laundry is really a form of repentance. "The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the word used for this concept of repentance is 'shube:'" (Elder Theodore M. Burton) meaning to turn, as in turn away from sin or return to the Father. In doing laundry we are trying to return our clothes to their original state of cleanliness. Laundry is a necessary part of life. Laundry can actually help us slow down and take time to ponder and "get a fresh view" of things in our life.The pondering time laundry offers can be invaluable. Just as repentance is invaluable and is there to give us a "fresh view". The beautiful translation from the Greek word that repentance is taken "denotes a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined" (Bible Dictionary). Repentance is talked about over and over and the Lord has "called after you and is still calling after you" (Alma 5:7). The question is whether or not we want to follow His call to repent, to return to Him. Notice, there is no a mention of suffering in that definition of repentance. There is only a turning. Turning to God.
Repentance can also mean "conversion" (see Matt. 3:2 footnote a). God wants us to be converted to Him, to be totally committed to righteous, clean living. Why? Because He knows we are "blessed and happy...[when we] keep the commandments of God...[we] are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if [we] hold out faithful to the end [we] are received into heaven, that thereby [we] may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness" (Mosiah 2:41)! That is why our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ want us to repent, so we can be with them, now, in our happiness and in our life by following them here, and in the life to come. He doesn't want us to send our laundry, or our repenting out to someone else, thinking that we can buy our way out of our sins or out of our troubles. He wants us to turn our hearts to Him on our own. It is what He asks of us (D&C 4:2). Because when we send our laundry out, we think we don't need Him and we rely upon ourselves and say "there is no God" (Psalms 14:1; Alma 11:24; 2 Nephi 2:13). And in reality, the only way things are ever going to be completely clean, completely "blotted out" is if we "repent...and [are] converted" (Acts 3:19) to Christ.
Be converted to Christ, not to man, or to money or to self or to stuff. They can't "clean" us, but through the atonement, the sacrifice that Christ made, we can be clean and our hearts are changed. We must "apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified (this is conversion); for we believe (this is faith) in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things " (Mosiah 4:2). This is how we can get completely clean, every day of our lives. It isn't a one time application, but as we daily apply the atonement in our lives, we "receive a remission of [our] sins, and [have] a peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith [we have] in Jesus Christ" (Mosiah 4:3). We can and do become clean and more holy and we can learn "the difference between the holy and profane, and...to discern between the unclean and the clean" (Ezekiel 44:23, see also Leviticus 10:10). We don't have to walk around in dirty clothes, i.e. our sins, because "the Lord shall have washed away the filth" (2 Nephi 14:3-4).
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Mark 12:31
I have been thinking a lot about burdens lately. We all have different burdens that we carry around, quite often hidden from others view, sometimes even from our own family or from people who are very close to us. We have a desire to want other people to think we are doing better than we actually are. Not because we are arrogant or think we are better than other people, I do not believe that is the reason we don't show our burdens. I believe it is because we are afraid of peoples reactions if they really knew what we are carrying. We all want to be loved, loved for who we are, children of God.
In the Hymn Lord, I Would Follow Thee (#220) it says: "Who am I to judge another when I walk imperfectly? In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see. Who am I to judge another? Lord, I would follow Thee." All too often we see someone who is doing something and we think we have the answer, only because we are seeing things from our own experiences, and not from the eyes of their experiences. Christ taught the two great commandments are: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31, see also Matt 22:37-40). Oh how I love these two commandments or should I say, this commandment. For when I love my neighbor, I am loving God. It makes "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7:1) become clear to me. We are to "judge righteously" (see D&C 11:12), which means to make good choices, not condemn others, and definitely not put "final judgement" upon others, because that responsibility has been given to the Son, Jesus Christ (see John 5:22). We get the blessing and the responsibility of loving other people, rather than "judging" them.
But, sadly, we sometimes make poor judgments, or rather, poor choices because we forget to extend love and thus we extend incorrect perception, only seen from our view. That is why we are taught to "put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good- yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy" (D&C 11:12-13). When we extend love, or "judge righteously", to our fellow neighbors rather than extending "judgment" we are filled with joy. When we make good choices, to love our neighbors, our minds are enlightened and again, we are filled with joy.
There are many burdens we don't know about in peoples lives. Let me list a few of the burdens, from people that I have become acquainted with throughout my life and perhaps some of you may be suffering yourselves: learning disabilities; daily health problems; depression, mental health illnesses; a disabled child or parent; same-gender attraction; marriage problems; problems with children; loss of job; death of a loved one; divorce; adultery; abused (in all it's various forms); unmarried; suicide; addiction (in all it's various forms); in debt; insecurity; childless; alone; cancer or other diseases; abortion; scars; pain (in all it's various forms); stealing; lying (having by lied to or lying themselves);
I list these (and the list could endlessly go on) because we may think we know what goes on in peoples lives, but in reality, we have no idea what our neighbors are going through. What I do know is that we all need love.The second commandment: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Mark 12:31) is how we should be treating each other, every day. There are many good people who carry burdens that are very heavy and they need lifting. When we are baptized in my church we make a covenant with God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ that we are "willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light...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" (Mosiah 18:8-9). Let us "lift" other peoples burdens by loving them and being kind. "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees" (Hebrews 12:12). When we mistakenly add to their burdens by "judging" them, we can make it right and lift the burden as quickly as possible by apologizing, as soon as we are aware of what we have done. Most often, we don't intend to offend, but when we do, repent (which is to turn your heart and mind and will to God) sincerely apologizing and expressing love to our friends, family members, or neighbors.
"Standing as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9) is really a challenge when we are on the end of "being judged". When someone does something to us because they don't have all the information, or is done out of fear (in all it's various forms), or is unkind, or critical...the real challenge is to "love thy neighbor as thyself" (James 2:8). But as true disciples of Jesus Christ, we can put our trust in Him, and follow His example because "there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18). We don't need to be afraid when people wrongly judge us, it happens to all of us. Yes, it hurts, but it doesn't have to define us. Let God's love define us. "When filled with God's love, we can do and see and understand things that we could not otherwise do or see or understand. Filled with His love,we can endure pain, quell fear, forgive freely, avoid contention, renew strength, and bless and help others in ways surprising even to us" (Elder John H. Groberg). We are stronger than we think or even can comprehend. We are children of God...all of us. When someone has offended us, forgive quickly and as often as we need to (see Matt. 18:21-22) that is our responsibility, to forgive them and to love them (see D&C 64:10). Not to "judge" them. It may take time, but when our hearts desire is to keep the commandments of God we are blessed and He helps us (see Mosiah 2:22). Elder James E. Faust said: "If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being" (The Healing Power of Forgiveness).
Burdens are carried by everyone. We can help bear one another's burdens (Mosiah 18:8) by loving our neighbors, our friends, and our families and making "righteous judgments" which to me, is making good choices, which equals loving others. The last verse in Lord, I Would Follow Thee says: "Savior, may I love my brother as I know thou lovest me. Find in Thee my strength, my beacon, for Thy servant I would be. Savior, may I love my brother- Lord, I would follow Thee" (#220). Follow the Savior, This I testify is how to love thy neighbor.
In the Hymn Lord, I Would Follow Thee (#220) it says: "Who am I to judge another when I walk imperfectly? In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see. Who am I to judge another? Lord, I would follow Thee." All too often we see someone who is doing something and we think we have the answer, only because we are seeing things from our own experiences, and not from the eyes of their experiences. Christ taught the two great commandments are: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31, see also Matt 22:37-40). Oh how I love these two commandments or should I say, this commandment. For when I love my neighbor, I am loving God. It makes "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7:1) become clear to me. We are to "judge righteously" (see D&C 11:12), which means to make good choices, not condemn others, and definitely not put "final judgement" upon others, because that responsibility has been given to the Son, Jesus Christ (see John 5:22). We get the blessing and the responsibility of loving other people, rather than "judging" them.
But, sadly, we sometimes make poor judgments, or rather, poor choices because we forget to extend love and thus we extend incorrect perception, only seen from our view. That is why we are taught to "put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good- yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy" (D&C 11:12-13). When we extend love, or "judge righteously", to our fellow neighbors rather than extending "judgment" we are filled with joy. When we make good choices, to love our neighbors, our minds are enlightened and again, we are filled with joy.
There are many burdens we don't know about in peoples lives. Let me list a few of the burdens, from people that I have become acquainted with throughout my life and perhaps some of you may be suffering yourselves: learning disabilities; daily health problems; depression, mental health illnesses; a disabled child or parent; same-gender attraction; marriage problems; problems with children; loss of job; death of a loved one; divorce; adultery; abused (in all it's various forms); unmarried; suicide; addiction (in all it's various forms); in debt; insecurity; childless; alone; cancer or other diseases; abortion; scars; pain (in all it's various forms); stealing; lying (having by lied to or lying themselves);
I list these (and the list could endlessly go on) because we may think we know what goes on in peoples lives, but in reality, we have no idea what our neighbors are going through. What I do know is that we all need love.The second commandment: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Mark 12:31) is how we should be treating each other, every day. There are many good people who carry burdens that are very heavy and they need lifting. When we are baptized in my church we make a covenant with God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ that we are "willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light...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" (Mosiah 18:8-9). Let us "lift" other peoples burdens by loving them and being kind. "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees" (Hebrews 12:12). When we mistakenly add to their burdens by "judging" them, we can make it right and lift the burden as quickly as possible by apologizing, as soon as we are aware of what we have done. Most often, we don't intend to offend, but when we do, repent (which is to turn your heart and mind and will to God) sincerely apologizing and expressing love to our friends, family members, or neighbors.
"Standing as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9) is really a challenge when we are on the end of "being judged". When someone does something to us because they don't have all the information, or is done out of fear (in all it's various forms), or is unkind, or critical...the real challenge is to "love thy neighbor as thyself" (James 2:8). But as true disciples of Jesus Christ, we can put our trust in Him, and follow His example because "there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18). We don't need to be afraid when people wrongly judge us, it happens to all of us. Yes, it hurts, but it doesn't have to define us. Let God's love define us. "When filled with God's love, we can do and see and understand things that we could not otherwise do or see or understand. Filled with His love,we can endure pain, quell fear, forgive freely, avoid contention, renew strength, and bless and help others in ways surprising even to us" (Elder John H. Groberg). We are stronger than we think or even can comprehend. We are children of God...all of us. When someone has offended us, forgive quickly and as often as we need to (see Matt. 18:21-22) that is our responsibility, to forgive them and to love them (see D&C 64:10). Not to "judge" them. It may take time, but when our hearts desire is to keep the commandments of God we are blessed and He helps us (see Mosiah 2:22). Elder James E. Faust said: "If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being" (The Healing Power of Forgiveness).
Burdens are carried by everyone. We can help bear one another's burdens (Mosiah 18:8) by loving our neighbors, our friends, and our families and making "righteous judgments" which to me, is making good choices, which equals loving others. The last verse in Lord, I Would Follow Thee says: "Savior, may I love my brother as I know thou lovest me. Find in Thee my strength, my beacon, for Thy servant I would be. Savior, may I love my brother- Lord, I would follow Thee" (#220). Follow the Savior, This I testify is how to love thy neighbor.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)