The Holy Ghost

As an eight year old girl getting baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I don't think I had any idea what it meant to have the Holy Ghost with me and why it was important. I could tell you what I had learned from being raised in the gospel and attending Primary classes but I don't think I truly knew what it meant until I was older and I learned to listen and recognize the Spirit's promptings in my life.

Over the years, I have come to know that as I keep the commandments and strive to always do what is right, I will remain worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost and he will always abide with me. He will help me know right from wrong and even help me know what I should do. When I was a teenager and employed, I began to feel like I could have anything in the world with the money I was earning. On one such day, I was looking at a magazine and found an ad for a product in which I wanted to buy and I was excited. I set the ad aside to look at again later and picked up my scriptures for that days reading for my seminary class. As I read in The Book of Mormon, I came across a scripture in 2 Nephi 9 that talked about not spending money something that was of no worth. At that very moment, I felt instantly that my Heavenly Father was telling my through a prompting of the Holy Ghost not to waste my money on something in which did not matter or would not bring me any satisfaction.

The Holy Ghost will teach us in all things and bring those things back to our remembrance when they are most needed. In the last few months or years, I have come to know this applies to our spiritual learning as well as our worldly pursuits.  Being in college later in life, I have come to rely on the Holy Ghost in my studies and then to help me recall the information I have learned. It seems like a miracle every time this happens but I know that Heavenly Father truly knows me and as I learn to trust Him, He helps me found the answer through the Holy Ghost.

The greatest of all testifier of Christ and Heavenly Father is the Holy Ghost. Through his power and touch, we will come to know Christ and Heavenly Father. We will know of the truth of their words and of their love for us. The Holy Ghost will help us see the will of the Lord. He will also help us live to our full potential if we let him and live the teachings of Christ. Through our trust, faith, and obedience, the Holy Ghost will be a constant companion as well as protect and shield us from the attacks of Satan and all his workers.

Christ knew that men would need someone in teach us when He was no longer on the earth to help teach and be a comforter after he was crucified. Through the Holy Ghost, who is the great testifier. Through his power, we can know and feel the truth of all things. Through his promptings we can feel the stir of a testimony or the spark to share what we know to be true. One thing I have also come to learn about the Holy Ghost is that he speaks to each of us differently and that is because we all listen differently. Some can listen to the spoken work and through the reading of some scripture passage and feel the promptings of the spirit. Others are drawn to visual truths. And yet others respond to musical notes played or sang. Music has always been that way for me. I have many a song I have listened to over the years that have moved me in one way or another.

I know the Holy Ghost is real. I know he works in harmony with Heavenly Father and Christ in such a way that will call us back from the deepest, darkest hole we could every bury ourselves into. We have to ready and willing to accept whatever Heavenly Father has ready for us. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, we can move mountains and I know it is true.

The Savior Anointed

In reading over our choice options on the assignment, I chose the subject found in Matthew 14:3-9 where woman comes to Christ and anoints Him with very expense oil. It was not a straight forward assignment like the others would have been and I chose this one because it forced me to study it out to find the answers. I am gratitude for opportunities like these that encourage me to stretch beyond the knowledge I already have and to obtain more through Spiritual guidance and words from our modern day prophets and apostles.

In this scriptural account, we learn that the woman anointed Christ with oil that was very expensive. Christ disciples recognize the cost of this oil and thought it was unwise for anointing and would have rather seen the woman sell it and give to the poor. They missed the significance of what this woman was doing in the worship and respect for Jesus. It was through this act, that she showed us that we must give our best efforts as we worship and respect Christ. If we are to give of our substance to those around us, we should give as if we were giving them to Christ Himself because in Matthew 25:40 we are reminded when we give to those around us, we are giving unto God. He knows our hearts and out intentions. If we give of ourselves and of our things, it must be with a pure intent.

In this account, we can also look to Christ for an example as the receiver of the gift this woman gave. In a talk given by President Dieter F. Ucthdorf at the Christmas Devotional for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in December 2012, he reminded us that the Savior knew of the love and devotion that this woman was giving that was symbolized by the anointing of the oil on His head. He accepted her gift, rebuked his disciples for getting after her for what they thought was wasteful, and recognized the gift as love. A gift given to us in love needs to be received as such. Not to be dismissed or set aside. Just as we must give our best to show love and respect to those we give, we must also accept in the same spirit knowing that the giver is giving with love and respect to you.

At Christmas, gifts are being received and given. President Ucthdorf reminds us to be the receiver Christ has shown us to be; and from the scriptures, the woman has shown us the giver Christ wants us to be. As I think about the list of gifts I will be giving this holiday season, I know that none is more important than giving of my love and respect to my Savior to those around me. This is the Spirit of Christ that can be felt not only in the holiday season but every day of the year.

I hope that your Thanksgiving is a blessed day.

Preparing for the Savior's Second Coming

As a little girl, I can remember sitting around, listening to the adults in my family discussing the Savior's Second Coming and all the earth would experience leading up to those final days. I remember being anxious about their conversations and being a little scared. I also remember saying a little prayer, asking Heavenly Father to at least let me get married before all the commotion was to start, thinking I can do anything with my future husband by my side. Now, many years later, with a husband and four children, my prayer is that we, my husband and I, are doing all we can to prepare ourselves and our children so as not be deceived by the many voices trying to call us down a different paths.

In Mark 13, there are several versus that give us at least three things that believers should watch for in order to be prepared for to meet the Lord. On this list, I felt like we were being asked to listen and pay attention to what our living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and our other church leaders are saying because they are the Lord's mouthpiece for us. I know that what they have to tell us are words of encourage and/or warning to help us in our journey back to Him. As we are committed to listening to our Church leaders, we will be know what Heavenly Father wants of us and we will receive inspiration for ourselves, our families and our needs.

Also in that same chapter, we are taught of some things to watch for, which are as followed:

1. Being deceived - This could be as little or as big as we allow it in our lives. At first, it may not feel like we're doing anything wrong. If we remember from the Book of Mormon, the devil sometimes works in degrees. He knows that if he can get us a little at a time, we might eventually come around where he can snag us completely into his trap.  To keep us from being trapped in his web of deception, we need to stay close to what the Savior and His teachings. We also need to stay worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost who will be there to guide and protect us from the things that will deceive us.

2. Prophesy being fulfilled - Many prophets have given us signs to watch for as the Second Coming gets closer. I will not list them all here for many reasons but there are numerous resources if you'd like to learn more. We are asked to know what those signs are and watch for them. They will strengthen our testimony and our hope as things seem out of control. 

I recently saw a movie clip about pioneers crossing the plains. As the weather turned cold, a group a pioneers became stranded from cold, illnesses, and lack of food. Many died. Even in the bleakness of their situation, I couldn't help but wonder what keep them even trying to move forward, even in the mist of their extreme lack of sufficient supplies. As I thought about how hard it was to go through what they went through, a thought came into my mind that it was the hope of being together with other people who believed and worshiped as they do. To be in an area where they would not be persecuted for what they believed anymore. It was their hope and faith in Jesus Christ that got them through that hard time. It will be our hope and faith in Christ that will get us through our hard times of today. As we watched for and recognize prophesy being fulfilled, are testimony will be strengthen.

3. Christ coming. I don't think this needs any explanation. I know that Christ will come to the Earth again. We have been told in the scriptures and by many living prophets. It is our responsibility to prepare ourselves for when He does come. We will not know when He will come so we must spend time every day preparing. We are told by our church leaders to "treasure" the word of God. As we make this a priority in our lives, we will be prepared for His coming.

As frightening as the last days were to me as a little girl,  I now look to them with anticipation. I know it will be hard to see and go through what we must face but I also know that with each passing day, we are one day closer to Christ coming and peace being felt everywhere. I am committed to learning, preparing, and watching for those days. I am adding one drop of oil in my lamp everyday. With every drop I add, the greater my faith and testimony to get me through the hard times and and the greater my strength to keep one foot in front of the other when the world would tell me to stop.

“The Widow’s Mite” Mark 12:41-44

Christ said of the widow as she gave all that she had, “…this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury…” In His remarks, he was not talking about the amount of money she put in compared to the rich contributors but about the sincerity of her heart. She truly gave of her heart, mind, and strength with her two mites and Christ knew of desire to serve God in all that she did. In giving of all that she had, she truly showed God that she loved Him more than anything money could buy.

In 2 Nephi 25:23 we are told that “…it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” When we give all that we have to Heavenly Father and Christ, they will make up the rest. They will help us meet our need as we give our own “two mites” in serving those around us and in our own tithes and offering. When we dedicate all our heart, mind, and strength to building up the Kingdom of God, Heavenly Father will help us meet the needs of our families and open the windows of Heaven on our behalf.

I recently read a modern day account of the widow’s mite on LDS.org in an article entitled, “The Muchacho’s Mite” by Natalie Ross. In the story, Sister Ross talks about teaching a family while on her mission. While teaching them, she and her companion became keenly aware of how financially desperate this family was but their desire to learn that gospel was strong. They hesitated to teach them about the law of tithing and fast offerings, wanting the family to have a firm foundation of faith in Christ before they taught this family who so desperately needed any amount of money they had. As the family progressed and continued to read the Book of Mormon, they children began asking questions.

One day, one of the sons asked about fasting. As the sisters taught this family about the importance of fasting and all that it entails, they prayed the family would accept this principal and its commandment. Later, the son shared with them of his own testimony of fasting and paying an offering. His mother had given him a small amount to buy candy. As he walked to the store, he remembered the lessons and decided he wanted to try. His mother tried to discourage him from paying because it was such a small amount. Despite her attempts, the son fasted and paid the money he was given for candy as his offering. A few weeks later, this young man and two of his siblings were baptized. His parent joined the church a year later.

When we give all that we have, we truly are blessed. Sometimes giving all isn't about money; it may be our time and talents. Sometimes it’s in a calling or an assignment we have been asked to fulfill that we think may be beyond our abilities. As we dedicate our might, mind, and strength to the assignment, we will find Heavenly Father giving us what we feel we lack. I felt this very strength as I served many years ago as a young woman’s president. I never saw myself in that type of leadership position. I could name numerous other women who, to me, we much more spiritually grounded for such a role in this group of young women’s lives. I could not see myself for what Heavenly Father needed me to be when I was first called. As the months turned into years and I learned to rely on His strength as I did all that I could do, I saw blessings that will forever touch my heart in the ways Heavenly Father made my best efforts even better.

I know that Heavenly Father sees our heart and knows our intent. As we give all that we have, it is not about the amount we give but about sincerity of our offering. When we give as the widow, we too will feel of God’s love for us. 

Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

Our blessings, everything we receive is a gift from our Heavenly Father. Nothing we have is just a coincidence. This is one lesson that has rung true through all my life. I am reminded of it every day and I know that moment I forget to acknowledge Heavenly Father's hand in all that I am and have, is the moment I start down a dangerous path.

In the scriptures, we learn the story of a rich man who came to the Savior and asked him, after observing all the commandments all his life, could he do to earn his way into the Kingdom of God. Christ's response to the young man was to sell all his possessions and follow Him. The young man was sadden by the response and walked away.

 

Are our possessions greater than anything our Heavenly Father can give us? For me, no. I made a covenant with my Heavenly Father in the temple, promising everything I am and have to the building of the Kingdom of God. I have not always felt like this, nor I am not perfect now. I know as I continue to see the things around me as gifts from God, I see them as gifts my Heavenly Father has given to not only bless me and my family but can also bless the lives of others.

In the scriptures, Christ also teaches the parable of the Lord and his vineyard. He goes out multiple times during the day, seeking anyone who will work in his vineyard. As the day comes to the end, all the workers are called together and given their wages. No matter the time of day they were called, each are given the same wage. Some of the workers that had been there all day long were angry because they had sweated and worker hard in the heat of the day. They asked why they weren't paid more because they had been there longer and thought they deserved more than the ones that had been there less time.

 

In thinking about this, we were asked to apply that to life today. The Lord has called everyone to work in the vineyard, to share the gospel and it's blessings to those around us. Some of us are life long members while others joined later in life. Regardless of when we become part of the gospel, we are receive the same blessings regardless of how long we have participated in the Church. I think to my friends how are converts and I see how hard they work at their testimony and then turn around and share it with those they love. They have taken the gift they have been given and continue to share it. I think of my own life long membership. Do I share the gift of the gospel with the same enthusiasm that my convert friends do? Brent and I talked about this and I feel like I fall completely short of my convert friends when it comes to sharing. They work with all their strength and might in the short amount of time they have been members. As a life long member, I don't know what it's like not to have the gospel in my life. I have been sheltered a little bit and in my own mind, feel that I have gotten a little lazy in my efforts. My convert friends may actually be more deserving of that full days wage than I.

My saving grace is that Heavenly Father sees us all with equality. He is no respecter of persons. I work hard at my own testimony and teaching those within my stewardship but I know I need to work harder at reaching out to those around me. As I commit to this righteous desire and pray for those opportunities, I know Heavenly Father will put them in my path and I can feel more deserving of all that He has and will bless me with.

To Be a Disciple of Christ

Do you know what it means to be a disciple of Christ? When you think of a disciple, do you think of people who dress like people from the bible and dedicate their every second to talking and teaching about Christ? I may not dress like a bible person or spend every second talking and teaching of Christ, but I would like to think of myself as a disciple of Christ. Someone who believes in Christ, follows His ways and try's to be like Him in all I do and say. Though I am not perfect and am a work in progress, my hope is that as someone sees me, they will see Christ through me.

In the scriptures, we read what it is to be a disciple. It is someone who is choosing the "better" part. There are so many good things in this world but there are many more great things. By following Christ and His teachings, we know that we have chosen the better path in which where we will find peace and happiness in this life and be able to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father in the next life.

A disciple of Christ knows how to pray and to acknowledge, with gratitude, all that Heavenly Father has done for them. Coming to Him in prayer, we can express our sorrow and seek forgiveness for our mistakes. We also can get protection against whatever temptation we face and the strength we need to change ourselves. As we come to know Heavenly Father, through our prayers and He us, we will have our righteous desires.

In today's world of having everything in an instant, it's hard to see something and not want it now, especially when credit cards make it so easy. We are told, as a disciple of Christ, we should avoid covetousness. Everything we have is a gift from God. They are blessings in which to enrich our lives. We can use these blessings, and should, seek opportunities to share with others. This is a form of showing gratitude for all He has giving us and being a disciple by following His example.

As a disciple of Christ, one must always be watchful. We must avoid things the distract us on our path to eternal joy and happiness. We must be ever watchful for the traps that would snare us and impede our progress. We must also be watchful for the day when Christ will rule on the earth again. Though it may not happen in our day but we should watch for and prepare as if it might happen any minute.

As I try to become more of a disciple, there are things I need to work on. I can't honestly say right now if someone asked me to give up everything I have, I would. I would like to think I would for the greater gift of eternal life but it's always easy to say without the requirement of action. I know as I take each step in my progression to become a better disciple, I know that one day, I will be willing to leave all that I have behind to follow Christ. Right now, it's line upon line, precept upon precept. By learning, pondering, and applying the gospel principles, I become closer to being a better disciple of Christ.

"Become as Little Children"

In all that goes on around us, there are many questions. How can God let something happen? Where is God in times of need? In this sense, we are like little children in that we do not understand all that God has for us. We miss the fact that God does not allow bad things to happen; most are the result of human choice. Our task is to because like the child, humble ourselves and allow His hand to lead us through our obstacles. He is waiting and prepared to lead us to the blessings He already has waiting for us. It is then our choice to choose to take His hand, as a child takes the hand of the parent, and allow Him to get us there.

As we become like a little child; submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things, we leave the world behind and we become more like Christ. We become better able to handle situations with thoughts and faith in Christ. I cannot share a better example than that shared by Sister Jean A. Stevens, 1st Counselor in the General Primary Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in her conference address shared in April 2011 about a little boy named Liam:

"...This past year he has battled aggressive brain cancer. After two difficult surgeries, it was decided that radiation would also be necessary. During these radiation treatments, he was required to be all alone and lie absolutely still. Liam did not want to be sedated because he disliked the way it made him feel. He was determined that if he could just hear his dad’s voice over the intercom, he could lie still without the sedative.

During these anxious times, his dad spoke to him with words of encouragement and love. “Liam, although you can’t see me, I am right here. I know you can do it. I love you.” Liam successfully accomplished the 33 required radiation treatments while holding perfectly still, a feat his doctors thought would be impossible without sedation for one so young. Through months of pain and difficulty, Liam’s contagious optimism has been a powerful example of meeting adversity with hope and even happiness. His doctors, nurses, and countless others have been inspired by his courage."

Sister Stevens said, "children are the key to helping us become more like Him." I can't get over how this little boy was able to endure 33 treatments with only the voice of his father for comfort. We can learn a lot from this one example of a child. He shined to those around him of his faith, not only in his earthly father but in his Heavenly Father who is the source of happiness and hope in our loneliest moments.

I know through the heart of a child, we will be led to all that our Father has for us. We will know happiness and hope as we face our lonely times. To choose to be like a child, it to be more like Christ and choose the way of my Father in Heaven. The beauty is that it is completely our choice. We only need to reach up and take His hand.

Walking on the Sea

     In the New Testament, we read of the account of Christ coming to the boat where His apostles were crossing the sea during the night. In the third watch, in the middle of a “boisterous” storm, Christ knows His apostles need Him and walks on water out to where they are. As He approaches, they see Him and are afraid, thinking He was some kind of spirit because human eyes tell that walking on water is not possible. Upon knowing their fears, Christ calls out to them telling them that everything is OK and that He has come to help them. As Peter hears Christ’s voice, he calls out to Christ to help him walk out to Him. When Christ calls to Peter, he immediately leaves the boat to walk on water to Christ. Leaving the safety and security of the boat to do something that is not possible took a large amount of faith on Peter’s part, but as he walks out to Christ, he becomes distracted by the storm around him, his faith turns to fear, and he begins to sink. Sensing he danger he has put himself into, he calls out to Christ to help him. Upon hearing Peter’s cry, Christ “immediately…stretched forth his hand, and caught him.” Upon pulling him out of the water, Christ says to Peter, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst though doubt?”

     In Doctrine and Covenants 88:67, we are taught “if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light,…with light that comprehendeth all things.” As we center our lives on Jesus Christ, we will be able to know Christ and feel Him lift us as we seek His help. That knowledge will sustain us through all things and help us to understand or find meaning in our trials. As Peter walked on water, finding himself surrounded by the raging storm and beginning to sink, he immediately recognized his predicament and who he could call upon for help. He knew that when he asked, Christ would not hesitate for a second to catch him. When we center our lives around Christ, as we come upon our storms, Christ will be there to lift us out of the waters of our fears as we put our faith in Him. The trials each of us face are different but I know that through faith, Christ will be there for us the moment we take one step as long as we stay focused on Him and ask for His help.

Parables

     When Christ was on the earth, He often taught in parables; a parable being a story of comparison to teach some spiritually divine truth. It is a story that teaches us gospel truths. However, understanding the meaning has more to do with where we are spiritually than intellectually. This means that it doesn't matter how much education one has; if we are not humble and pray for personal inspiration, having faith that Heavenly Father will answer our questions, we will never understand the meaning of what is being taught or how it applies to our own life. This is very much like the Pharisees of Christ's time. They knew a lot about the religious law but would not humble themselves to truly know who Christ was and learn from the Master. Christ's disciples understood who He was and were humble enough to ask Christ what He meant when they did not understand (See Matthew 13:10).

     While Christ was on the earth, He talked about our day and the growth the Church is experiencing today. He knew that in the last days, the Church would very much be like a little mustard seed, a smallest of seeds that grows is to a great tree. (See Matthew 13: 33-34)
     He also compared the growth of the Church to leaven, or yeast, used in baking bread. Just as yeast helps bread to rise, the gospel helps us to become better people. (See Matthew 13:47-50) To become more like Christ and be able to return home to our Heavenly Father. As we allow the gospel in enrich and uplift our lives, we can in turn share that with others so they can experience the blessings of the gospel in their own lives.

     Because of the remarkable growth we have seen in the numbers of new members, our Church leaders have requested missionaries to help teach those that are ready to hear the gospel. Many young men, women, and couples have answered and will answer the call to serve at a cost and a sacrifice that many in the world don't understand until they feel the happiness the gospel brings to their lives. It is that happiness we have and feel that so many leave behind their worldly wealth, recognition and other things deemed of worth in the world to obtain and maintain membership in the Church.

     On the other hand, it is the little things that often drive away people from the Church as well. This week in our group, we talked about these little things. It could be someone was offended, on purpose or not. It could be illness that kept them away for a time and they just got out of the habit of coming. It could be sin. In General Conference this past weekend, a general authority shared a story from his family where they left Church after one of their meetings and decided to go on a Sunday drive rather than return for their latter meeting. They did not return to regular attendance for some time after that one drive. Sometimes, it's the little things we neglect to do that keep us from feeling the Spirit and drive us away from the Church. 

     On the flip side of that, it is the "little" things that also keep us active in the gospel. You can probably name them in your sleep but just to name of few, personal prayer and scripture study can give us a solid anchor so that when the winds begin to blow and the storms around us howl, we have our testimony and faith in Christ that can carry us through whatever the world has for us.

     As I think about the sacrifices we make as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I scarcely think of them as sacrifices. My testimony of the truth of the gospel and my faith in Christ and His Atonement mean more to me than any amount of money or successful career could ever bring. We have been taught that as we look for the opportunities to share our time, talents and resources in helping those in need around us, we will be blessed beyond imagination. I know this to be true. Heavenly Father has sent  us what we have needed when we have needed it. I have personally witnessed His hand meet our needs when I didn't know how it was going to be meet and I know it is because our family has chosen to put Him first.

     The gospel is the net that is being cast out into the world. It is gathering in all those that want to hear and feel the happiness it brings into their lives. (See Matthew 13:47) The missionaries and members of the Church are working together to gather in those that are ready and helping to prepare those that need a little more time. If you would like to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, go to mormon.org and take the opportunity to talk to someone who is a member of the Church or a missionary. We are wanting and ready to share what we know about Christ.

"The Beatitudes"

President Harold B. Lee called "The Beatitudes" found in Matthew 5:1-12 as "The Constitution For A Perfect Life." Learning and applying the lessons the Savior taught in his Sermon on the Mount can bring us immeasurable joy in this life and it develops a deeper love for God and our fellow men. It also provides the steps to become more perfect and develop the qualities of an exalted person. While on the earth, we are the "natural man" but the more we true to leave that behind, the closer we will be to becoming more as the Savior is and gain blessings that will be everlasting.

We are taught this week, in our reading, that "to be blessed" means to be higher than happy. It goes on to say that happiness comes from without (meaning something on the outside effects our level happiness) and is dependent on circumstance. Te be blessed is to have "an inward fountain of joy that nothing on the outside can seriously affect." I have always been one to believe that happiness is a choice but as I think back to those times that I truly feel "happy," it was the result of the joy felt from not something tangible but from something that struck a spiritual string within my heart.

"Blessed are those that mourn." In studying this specific beatitude, I have come to discover two directions this could be applied. The first is applied to those that feel sorrow because of loss in their life. To be more specific, the loss of a loved one. Sometimes we will not understand why Heavenly Father removed someone from our lives. But as we come to the understanding that God's way is not always our way, we can come to trust Him and feel the comfort He has promised to send.

The second application is the sorrow we feel when have need to repent. It is that "godly sorrow that worketh repentance." As we allow this sorrow to bring us to repent, we make the changes necessary in our lives that will allow us not to return to those things that cause us to sorrow in the first place. By repenting and applying the Atonement in this way, we receive the comfort promised.

"Blessed are the meek." In the eyes of the world, to be meek is a negative thing. It means that you lack conviction, are weak, and submissive (broken to the will of another). In essence, you will not amount to anything of greatness in this life. In thinking more on this topic, I did a search and found an article in the December 1987 Ensign magazine title "The Beatitudes: Pattern for coming unto Christ." In this article, Elder Robert E. Wells shares an account of being on a ranch where they raised horses. At some point, he asked to see where they "broke" the horses of their wild spirits. The man of the ranch he was with immediately responded that they never "break" the horses. As they work with the horses, they love them and are patient. As a result, these horses still have their spirit and fire but them become obedient and well-trained. In thinking about this experience, Elder Wells finds great spiritual application in being meek. He says, "The Savior...meant that we should be obedient and well trained. We can be strong, enthusiastic, talented, spirited, zealous, and still be 'meek.'" 

I have come to know many people in my life who are truly meek in their obedience to the gospel but are able to share the fire they feel in righteous living, in the talents they possess, and enthusiasm they embody from living a high standard of moral code. They are not "broken" into submissiveness. They have come to know that true joy that comes from living the commandments and the freedom we feel in knowing that we are not bond by the adversary. In the end, someone that is meek "is strong, has complete self-mastery, and has the courage to stand for moral convictions no matter what the crowd does."

"Blessed are the merciful." This is the one I needed the most this week because I need to be more merciful and have more mercy in my heart and thoughts. I am not perfect and it is hard to have mercy. In our manual it states, "our salvation depends on the mercy we show others." As I think back on recent events in my life, I can see where I have lacked mercy. I have allowed selfishness and discomfort get in the way of all that Heavenly Father needs me to be. Because of the love and mercy God has for us, He gave us His Son. Christ then gave us His life. In return, I need to learn to be more merciful to those around me.

There is so much we can learn from studying Christ and His life. Every day is a new lesson and a new application. I know that as I continue to study,  ponder, and apply what I am learning in this class and through my continual study of the scriptures, I can draw closer to Christ and my Heavenly Father. As I become closer to them, it is my desire to help others know of the joy I feel from the blessings of our Savior in my life.

Lesson 1 Student Choice - John 2 - Water to Wine and Cleansing the Temple

This weeks readings covered Christ's baptism and the beginning of His ministry. For my selection, I have chosen to write about Christ's first miracle of turning water into wine and the cleansing of the temple at Passover.

In our assignments, we are given supplemental material to help expound on the scriptures. The institute manual we are using is "The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles."



With the help of the commentaries in this book, we can better understand the culture and meaning of certain things to better apply what we read. In John 2:4, Christ refers to His mother as "woman." In the commentary, it helps us understand this was not disrespectful but "a title of honor, tenderness and love." So many women can bear the title of mother but by calling His mother by "Woman" showed how much he loved and cared for her.

In the Water to Wine miracle, Christ is asked by His mother to help in the matter of there being no more wine. We are told in the scriptures she tells the servants to do whatever Christ asks of them. He then proceeds to ask for six water pots to be filled with water and brought to him.

What is amazing to me is that amount of wine produced in this miracle. Our institute student study manual tells us that each pot held 2-3 "firkins." It goes on to say that a measurement of a firkin is about 9 gallons. Doing the math (quickly, thanks to the manual) that's about 100 to 150 gallons of water turned to wine. 

As the servants serve the wine, the governor commented about how good the wine was and impressed that the good wine was saved for the end when so many others bring the good wine out first and save the bad for last. Christ's power is good and His miracles are meant to glorify Heavenly Father. If He had made bad one, would it have made any difference? I don't know.

In thinking of Christ cleansing the temple of all the things of "merchandise," in what ways are Christ's action symbolic of what He desires of each of us?

For me, it's cleaning out all those things that would distract me from connecting with my Heavenly Father. As I "clean house," I am able to focus more on the Spirit and hear the whisperings I need to uplift and guide me through the day. None of us are perfect and sometimes "cleaning" becomes a little lax but having the Sacrament every week allows me to recommit to the covenants I make to become more like the Savior.

I hope that you find something in my writing that have touched your heart. Though has started out as an assignment, my goal is to use this forum to share the gospel and the joy it brings to me and my family. 

The Birth of Christ

Hello All,

It's been a while since I've used our family blog but now I'm in a New Testament class that is asking us to write about different things and find a forum in which to share our writings. In talking with Brent, he suggested using our family blog for this assignment. So, for now, that's what I'm going to do. I'm sure from time to time, I will post some family activities. Be on the look out but here's my first assignment.

I choose to write about people from scriptures, how they learned about the birth of the Savior, what they know about the Savior, and what they did with their knowledge. Each of these scriptural people had different experiences and different reactions but from their stories we can learn about the mission and purpose of our Savior. We can decide for ourselves what we will do with the knowledge and whether to share it to be a positive or negative force to those around us.

Elizabeth is the wife to Zacharias and cousin to Mary, the mother of Christ. Being married to someone how worked as a priest in the temple, I can only imagined she was surrounded by things of a spiritual nature. When she was in about six months pregnant with her baby, John the Baptist, she was visited by Mary who had heard from an angel that Elizabeth was pregnant. As Mary greeted her, Elizabeth felt her baby "leaped in her womb." She then had the Holy Ghost bare witness of Mary being the Mother of the Savior. She knew at that moment the baby Mary was carrying was her Lord and Mary was a blessed woman. Elizabeth then bore her witness of what she had learned from the Holy Ghost and her recognition of Mary's divine role in the birth of the Savior.

The Shepherd's in the fields the night the Savior was born most have been startle to see an angle shining brightly above them one dark night because the angle's reply to them was to "fear not" because he had come to share with them the Savior had been born. As the angel was speaking, a multitude of heavenly host joined him. As the angel told them about the Savior's birth, he also told them where he was born, and how they would know Him when they saw Him. As the angel departed, they immediately left their flock to find the Savior. Upon seeing Christ, they began telling everyone about Christ and what they had experienced.

Simeon was a man who lived in Jerusalem at the time Christ was born. He had been taught by the Holy Ghost that he would live to see the Savior with his own eyes before he left this earth. Simeon knew the Savior would be sent here for our salvation and that He would be the light of the world. He testified of the Savior and His purpose. Upon meeting Joseph and Mary in the temple with Baby Jesus, he held Christ in his arms and blessed Mary and Joseph.

One of the few women in the scriptures is a prophetess by the name of Anna. She was a much older woman when Christ was born, married and widowed for many years. She learned of the Savior through her prayers, fasting, and going to the temple. As she found out about the birth of the Savior, she instantly gave thanks and began to speak of Savior to everyone she met seeking for redemption.

No one can leave out the Wise Men in speaking of those who witnessed of Christ's birth. These men were from a foreign land but studied the words of the prophets and watched for the signs of the Lord's birth. As the star appeared announcing the birth of Christ, they immediately set out to find Him. Upon finding Christ, they presented Him with gifts.

Along the travels of the Wise Men, they came across the King of the Jews who was Herod. Herod was a man who seemed power hungry and paranoid of losing that power. He learned of the birth of Christ through the Wise Men. He and his high priest were told that Christ would someday be the king of the Jews. Because Herod believed this meant he was going take his power and throne away from him, he had his soldiers kill infant boys who were around the same age as the Savior in hopes to kill him before he were old enough to take the throne away from him.

On the other side of the world, the Nephites, whose's ancestors who originally from Jerusalem, were taught all through their lives of the Savior. A prophet by the name of Nephi was praying about the situation these group of Nephites found themselves. As he prayed, the voice of Christ came to him and told him that His birth would happen that very night. He told Nephi that he was there to fulfill all that the prophets had taught them. As Nephi heard these words, went about teaching the people of Nephi about Christ and baptizing many.

Many years ago, I was asked what I knew about the Savior. My response is that He is my brother, my friend, and the one I know I can turn to for relief from my burdens. My knowledge comes from many lessons and experiences throughout my life. I have been taught by my parents, leaders, teachers, but most of all, from the Holy Ghost baring personal witness of the truth I have read from scriptures or been taught by living apostles and prophets. I know that my strength comes from my faith in Christ and my desire to be more like Him in all I do. I am not perfect but someday, I know I can be perfect through my Savior.