Faith and Marriage

In the book "Drawing Heaven Into Your Marriage," author H. Wallace Goddard states that "...faith...causes us to be a little more patient with temporary-but annoying-humanness" (Goddard, 2007) It's funny how that makes so much sense now after 20 some years of marriage. When my husband and I were first dating, I remember him asking me to stop being so loud when I swallow my drinks. I was not aware of how loud I was being nor had I ever been told by any friends or family in the past. I was dumbfounded by his comment and it ended up igniting a heated discussion. Today, I don't remember how it was resolved but since we still continued to date and then marry, we must have found some way to look past those annoying human things and be a little more patient with each other. 

Shortly after we were married, my husband shared a story with me that kind of went along the same lines. A couple was sitting down together one day and the wife asked the husband if they could each make a list of the little things that annoyed each of them about the other. She had some things that really bothered her and thought for sure that he had some things that bothered him about her. If they both made a list, then she would feel better about what she had to say in hopes that he would work on them while she worked on those things he found annoying. He agreed and they each took some time to make their list. As they came together, the husband allowed the wife to go first. She proceeded to read from her list and finally concluded that she could not stand the way he ate his grapefruit. When she completed her list, she gave him his opportunity to share. He turned over his paper to reveal there was nothing about her that he found annoying and felt like she was perfect in every way. He told her that as he pondered on what he could put on his list, he realized those things really didn't matter because he saw her for something more than these things that might annoy someone. Needless to say, the wife was shocked and realized that she too loved her husband more than she cared about the way he ate his grapefruit. 

Goddard reminds us in his book that we need to see our spouses as our Heavenly Father sees them. They are full of great potential. If we love them and keep an eternal perspective, our faith can help us look beyond the weakness and strengthen our marriages through this journey on earth.

References:

Godard, H.W. (2007) Drawing Heaven Into Your Marriage. Fairfax, VA: Meridian Publishing.

Strengthening Marriage

In the Book of Mormon in the book of Mosiah chapter 3 verse 19, it reads, “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” 

In our marriages, we are more apt to be ourselves without the facade that we tend to give the outside world. We are harder on those we see on an everyday basis. It wasn’t too long ago that I shared this very thing in our own family because of children that were fighting. I also shared that many General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have taught how we should give our best selves to the world and our families but more so to our families. We shouldn’t go out in the world and then come back with only leftovers for our families. They deserve more. Our spouses, especially, deserve our best and not what is left at the end of the day. 

I know this is a hard thing to put into action. It hasn’t been easy for me and still isn’t easy. I have to work at it every day because I tend to let my human nature run wild. Many years ago, as I talked with a cousin of mine about some marriage stress, she helped me realize that if I would just ask myself what part I played in an argument, I might find a solution a lot quicker. There are always two sides of an argument. The sooner I realize the role I played, the sooner I could correct my actions because the only person I have control over to change is myself. 

One thing I also learned over the years I have been married is that the best way for me to feel better about my husband is to find ways to serve him. This helped many years ago when he was working full time and trying to get his bachelors degree. We had three of our four children at the time and I also worked part-time to try to supplement our starving student budget. Because of my husband’s long hours away from the home, much of the family and household chores fell on me. There were many nights when I could use the help of my husband. However, I knew that complaining would not change what needed to be done nor support my husband in the goals we had set together. Those were tough times. Rather than wallow in those crazy times, I learned to find ways to not only meet the demands of my household but to also provide a little service to my husband because what he was doing wasn’t easy either. There were many times that exhaustion got the better of me but for those moments I truly sought better ways, I could feel my love for my husband strengthen. 

Marriage - An Extraordinary Work

Elder David A. Bednar said in his talk titled, “Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan” that “We are ordinary people who must accomplish a most extraordinary work.” He said this because it is our responsibility to learn and teach Heavenly Father’s plan and live by that example to all those we come in contact with. Some people often wonder if they are equal to the work that is being asked of us. However, Heavenly Father knows we can do it. He has given us the spiritual resources in which to help us be the righteous examples He needs us to be, especially to our children.

The most important resource is Jesus Christ. We, as parents, as husband and wife, need to make Him our focus, our center. As we focus on His teachings and strive to make our relationship closer with Him, we, in turn, will be making our relationship with our spouse closer too. 

In a talk given in October 1996, Elder Bruce C. Hafen said that “when troubles come to a covenant marriage, the husband and wife work them through. They marry to give and to grow, bound by covenants to each other, to the community, and to God. Contract companions each give 50 percent; covenant companions each give 100 percent.”  As husband and wife, we each need to be working hard on our relationship. When one is dragging or a little weak, the other can pick it up until the other can regain their strength again. Marriage does require a leap of faith. A couple must be keeping the covenants they make without knowing what will go wrong. They must be willing to be obedient to God and make sacrifices for each other. When they do, the blessings they receive will bring unimaginable joy and happiness. Elder Hafen also said, “when we observe the covenants we make at the altar of sacrifice, we discover hidden reservoirs of strength.”

I would like to think that I’m a strong person on my own. However, I know the joy of having someone by my side and the strength he has given me in some very hard times. Just when I think I’m at the end of my rope and ready to give in, he jumps in and adds his strength to mine. There have even been times he has carried the load by himself because I was just too weak. As I think about the future and what it holds for us, the happiness and tears, I know I have a husband who loves and supports me but also loves the Lord. It is because of our commitment to each other and to the Lord that we are able to meet the demands of this “extraordinary work.”

References:

Hafen, Bruce C. (November 1996). “Covenant Marriage.” Ensign.

Bednar, David A. (June 2006). “Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Ensign.

Why Man and Woman Matter in Marriage

2015 Supreme Court Justices

This week, we read the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) relating to same-sex marriage and rights being violated according to the fourteenth amendment.  I’m not totally sure I understand the exact argument but it all boils down to a group of gay people who were married in states or tried to get licenses to marry but were turned away and/or not recognized for their choice in partner. I know this subject is a touchy subject for many and a hot button for debate. My thoughts are not to inflict pain on any one person or group. I know that people have the right to believe and act according to their beliefs and hope that my beliefs would be respected in return. 

For me, marriage is between a man and a woman, to love and support each other in the nurturing and teaching of their children. This can only be done in the bonds of marriage. God designed our bodies and natures to compliment each other. Men and woman are each equipped to take on certain aspects of parenthood and marriage. Nothing hurts the heart more than hearing someone say that they don’t need a man or a woman (depending on their own sex) in their life to be complete. Heavenly Father did not design us to be alone. However, He also did not design us to be with someone of the same sex. Heavenly Father design sacred roles for each sex. We can cover for a little while should the need arise, each other’s role but we will fall short of the designed plan and goals that would be accomplished were we to be with someone of the opposite sex. 

I love my husband very much and he does complete me. I fall short in many areas and he is there to help pick up the pieces and make it better. He fulfills his roles as husband and father in the ways Heavenly Father intended them to be and there is no way I could ever imagine having to be both mother and father to my children.

This weeks lesson has opened my eyes to many things. I have nothing but respect for people fighting for their rights and trying to get the law to recognize what they want. I believe everyone should love and be loved. But I don’t want to be told that the way I believe is wrong and feel attacked for those beliefs. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in The Articles of Faith (no. 11) “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” This means a lot to me and helps me to remember that I need to respects other in their beliefs and much as I want to be respected, especially since this a belief held by The Church as a whole. 

Elder Dallin H Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has this to say:

"Inevitably, the actions of those who try to follow God’s plan of salvation can cause misunderstanding or even conflict with family members or friends who do not believe its principles. … 

Whatever the cause of conflict with those who do not understand or believe God’s plan, those who do understand are always commanded to choose the Lord’s way instead of the world’s way. 

The gospel plan each family should follow to prepare for eternal life and exaltation is outlined in the Church’s 1995 proclamation, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Its declarations are, of course, visibly different from some current laws, practices, and advocacy of the world in which we live. …
I testify that the proclamation on the family is a statement of eternal truth, the will of the Lord for His children who seek eternal life. It has been the basis of Church teaching and practice for the last 22 years and will continue so for the future. Consider it as such, live by it, and you will be blessed."

References:

Obergefell v. Hodges (Supreme Court of the United States, 2015)

Oaks, Dallin H. ( September 2017). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Talk Summaries. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/talk-summaries-saturday-morning?lang=eng

When Marriage Matters...

https://www.quotemaster.org/qcf9871a472d32e48defe59aff89250b9

     Looking back on my life, I don’t remember a lot of families different than my own; two-parent families raising children together under one roof. I can actually only count a few friends that I remember being raised in a single parent family. But as I look around today as I raise my children, many of my friends and my children’s friends’ families are raising children in single-parent families or in other situations like cohabitation. Marriage has taken on different forms in the world’s view and it is having strong consequences on our families as well as the world as a whole.

     In an article I read entitled, “The Impact of Family Formation Change on the Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Well-Being of the Next Generation,” Paul Amato sets out to addressing three issues; children and their overall well-being in today’s changing families, marking the difference between changing families versus traditional families, and getting the government to set policies in which to strengthen marriages rather than penalize them.

     What stood out in Amato’s article was not only was he addressing the issues and challenges faced by families and communities, but he presented solutions. He supported his ideas with numbers and studies that explained what families are going through and then he came up with ways the government could set policy to support them and best equip them. He truly wants people to understand the importance of raising children in a home with two happy, committed adults.

     One thing I learned growing up was that disharmony in a family comes from selfishness. Something that has helped me, not only in my marriage but in many other relationships, is to seek opportunities to serve. Many times when I have felt angry or disappointment when something hasn’t gone the way I expected in a relationship. By seeking opportunities to serve, I have felt the burden of those emotions be lifted from my heart. As we learn to focus more outwardly rather than inwardly, we can help strengthen our family and our marriages more by finding ways in which to serve them. I truly believe that the more we emulate this in our families, the more our children will do those things within our families and the happier they will be because home is a happy place for them to be.

References:

Amato, P. R. (2005). The Impact of Family Formation Change on the Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Well-Being of the Next Generation. The Future of Children, Volume 15 (2), pp. 75-96.

"Walk in Truth"

    We live in a day when those that follow the teachings of Christ are told how hateful or intolerant they are for not accepting people because of choices that don't fit into those teachings. That thought cannot be further from the truth. As Christ taught, we love the sinner but hate the sin. None of us are perfect and we all make mistakes but Christ has never turned His back on us and neither should we to our fellow brother and sisters, regardless of their personal beliefs and choices. Instead of being like the two characters above, criticizing every little thing, pointing fingers, and laughing at the expense of others, let us be like our Savior who is our ultimate example, and show our love without hesitation.

     In 3 John 1, we read of two examples. One man, Gaius, was a righteous and faithful man. He did good things, not only to those he knew in the gospel but also for those he did not. He had charity for all in whom he came in contact with. Through his deeds, one knew what he believed. We know he was someone who walked in truth and did all things faithfully, according to the teachings of Christ.

     The second example, was a man by the name of Diotrephes. He was a man who criticized the Church. He went against what was being taught, he defied authority, and spoke maliciously of the leaders of the Church. He was the example of disobedience. 

     Both men had influence on the people around them. Where Diotrephes was all about doing harm to the Church and to make the leaders look bad to pull people away from the gospel, Gaius was about bringing people closer to Christ and the peace in knowing Him. Ultimately, the choice was up to the people but as one would followed Diotrephes, then they might fall into the fate many receive when they turn their back on the knowledge they once knew.

    For someone who was taught the gospel of Christ, is baptized, and receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, there is nothing worse they can do than to turn their back on that knowledge and gift. Criticizing the Church and it's leaders will not dampen the influence or authority in which they have on this Earth. The only thing they will do is to cut themselves off from the God and commit themselves to the traps of the advisory and essentially bringing spiritual death.

     In Alma 39:11, we read, "Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing..." As we continue on our journey in this life, let us always be vigilant that we are not led astray and we also do everything we can not to lead others away. Let us seek to be like Gaius, to learn of Christ, then to teach of Christ through the good things we do. To always walk in truth so as to bring others closer to Christ, not because of the things we teach but by the example that we are.

"The Trial of Our Faith is More Precious Than Gold"

When I hear someone rant that life is not fair, I think of a little child throwing a tantrum for not getting their way. Why, as adults, do we feel the urge to throw up our arms and scream that life is not fair when trials come our way? We already know that it's not about being fair. We are told in the scriptures that our trials are what refine us and prepare us for things to come. I had a friend who would often say that the harder the trial, the great the blessing to look forward to. I loved this outlook because it is also what we are taught in the scriptures when it tells us that as we endure out trials in patience, we will have our blessings.

Heavenly Father hears our prayers and knows what we are enduring. We are not along in our trials. He sends comfort, peace, and guidance. He also sends protection as we seek His will in our trials. Often, it is when we seek to do his will and help others that the burden of our own trials is made lighter and easier to bear.

Christ is our ultimate example. He bore many trials, pains, and afflictions on our behalf. In his last days, his own people mocked him, beat him, and whipped him but remained silent and endured the pain. His love for them, and for us, was stronger than the pain he was enduring. Because of Christ, we have reason to rejoice through our trials. He is the light in the storm. It is not easy to stay faithful when so many around us are mocking our choices but when we remember Christ in the mist of our trial and seek to do God's work, we will be proved and receive out reward of eternal life which is far greater and more desirable than any earthly reward.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

For me, my faith in Christ is everything. It is what gets me up in the morning, helps me to be a good person, and keeps me moving when I may want to fall apart. The scriptures have provided us with great examples of people who have shown faith and received great blessings. Here are a few that are highlighted in Hebrews 11:

• Enoch – Verse 5 – Had testimony. Believed in God “…and the he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” – Because of his great faith in God, Enoch was translated.
• Noah – Verse 6 – Showed his faith by preparing for the great flood even though he could not see it right in front of him. Because of his great faith, God warned him of was to come.
• Abraham – Verse 8, 17 - 19 – Showed his faith by going on a journey without knowing where he was going. He went because God wanted him to go. Because he showed his faith, God lead him to “the land of promise.” Abraham also showed great faith by being willing to sacrifice his son to the will of God. He knew that he had been promised great blessings through Isaac and knew that by killing him, it would put an end to all those blessing but he trusted in heavenly Father’s plan and was obedient. He was blessed by having an Angel stopping him and providing for another sacrifice in his place.
• Sarah – Verse 11 – She showed her faith “because she judged him faithful who had promised.” As a result of her faith, she was blessed with strength and conceived and bore a son in her old age.
• Isaac – Verse 20 – “blessed both Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.”
• Jacob – Verse 21 – Even though he was dying, he blessed both sons of Joseph and continued to worship.
• Joseph – Verse 22 – As Joseph died, he knew that the Israelites would be saved from Egypt and gave instructions for his bones for when the children of Israel left.
• Moses – Verses 24-27 – He showed his faith by leaving all the comforts and luxury of being the part of the Pharaoh’s household and following the will of the Lord in helping his true family, the children of Israel, to leave Egypt. Through his faith, Heavenly Father gave him strength and power that only comes from God to free and lead so many people for 40 years across the wilderness.

Some other great examples from the scriptures and one from my personal life are:

• Esther – through her faith, she was able to stand before the king, without regard to her own safety, and ask for the protection of the Jews from the king.
• Nephi – through his faith, even though he didn't know how he would accomplish all that Heavenly Father wanted him to do, showed his willingness by moving forward until the plan presented itself.
• Sister Melea Johnson – shows her faith in Heavenly Father by smiling every day and spreading joy in every situation. Even as the rain falls all around, damping any hope of fun, there is Sister Johnson pointing at the sun rays through the raindrops. Because of her faith, she is able to see happiness and joy in all that she does and it is infectious wherever she goes. 

To show our own faith, Paul wrote in Hebrews 12:1-2, that we needed to put aside our worries, to stop doing sin, and endure with patience the trials we are faced with. Along with all that, we are to look at Christ who is “the author and finisher of our faith.” He bore our every sin and heartache, he endured the cross, and he allowed himself to be mocked because of his great love for us. It is our faith that will get us through all that we are asked to endure in this life.

In our student reading, we learn two things that help us understand the difference between belief and faith. Belief is something passive as in we have learned and believe something to be true. Faith, on the other hand, is a trust in what we believe that it motivates us to action. The second thing I learned is that we can have belief without faith but, we cannot have faith without belief. Faith, in essence is a living belief.

With faith being an action on our part, it is also a power. It is through our faith that we gain a deeper understanding of God and His works. Through faith, we gain strength to endure our trials or to accomplish a task or assignment. It is also through our faith in God that we receive the blessing that we need when we need them. He knows us because we are His children. If we will believe on Him and have faith to follow His plan, He will never leave us alone. I know this to be true from my own experiences but also from the experiences of others in the scriptures and from my personal life. What a strength they are to my personal faith.

Jesus Christ is Greater than Angels

I don’t know if I would ever question that Christ is greater than angels but apparently someone did because Paul helps us understand why Christ is Superior. In Hebrews, Paul teaches that Christ’s law of the Gospel is greater than the Law of Moses as Christ was sent here to fulfill that law. It has been finished through his Atonement on our behalf. Christ is God’s only begotten son and he is in the exact image of our Father and is heir to all things. Christ is also the creator of worlds. All these things make him more excellent in name, inheritance, and of a higher calling than that of the angels. Angels are important and they have brought many great messages to the Earth but when Christ speaks, our attention should be on what he has to say.

As were taught the Plan of Salvation in life before this earth, we knew that someone would have to come to help us return to home. We all listened as Christ and Satan both presented plans. Ultimately, Satan’s plan was rejected and he became anger causing Heavenly Father to send him away, along with anyone that wanted to follow him. Those that choose Christ’s plan then were sent to Earth to be tried and tested. Because we would be exposed to many trials and temptations, Heavenly Father sent Christ to act in our before and make up for what we could not do for ourselves. While he was here on earth, he also did other things to better help him understand what we would experience along the way. He suffered our pains and afflictions. He allowed himself to be tempted. He descended below them all to know exactly how we will feel and know how to help us in our darkest hour. He knew that we would need someone there to watch us through those moments when no one else could possibly understand.

In exchange, all that He asks of us is to know Him, obey his commandments, and never forget why He did what He did for us. As we build our faith, obey His words, turn to Him during our times of need, He will be there for us. The angels only do what is asked of them. Christ, knowing what we went through personally, knows exactly how to help us in our darkest hours. I know that through Him and all that He did on our behalf, we can not only get through our trials here on earth, but we can return home to Heavenly Father to live with Him again.

"Be Thou an Example of the Believers"

Sermon on the Mount - Picture from LDS.org

When Christ taught on the earth, He had many people flocking to hear what he had to say. As I think about those people and wonder what it would have been like to live during that time, I wonder if I would have sat at His feet to listen to the words He had to say. Would I have followed Him? Would I have been an example of a believer? I would like to say that I would be, that I would be no different than I am today, having lived my life believing in Christ, though I have never seen Him with my own eyes. Today, I live through faith, I do my best to follow His commandments, and I seek to do good things while repenting when I have fallen short, so that I can be an example of a believer to someone else who may be seeking His peace in their own lives.

Picture from lds.org

How do I show that I believe? As a little girl, I have always been taught that my body is a gift from God. It was created in His imagine. As I treat my body with respect and follow His commandments, I have the gift of the Holy Ghost to always be with me, to reside in me. Any disrespect of myself or the teachings of Christ, I will lose the gift of the Holy Ghost in my life. Once this life is over, at the time of resurrection, I know that my body will be made perfect and that my spirit will once again be reunited with my body. It is a gift and I must remember to always treat it with the respect I would give any gift I receive that is special.

Another way I show of my faith in Christ is by never letting my guard down on the things that can distract me from the teachings of Jesus Christ. There are many temptations out there that the adversary is using to get us to “depart from faith” (1Timothy 4:1). He knows that when he can get us to follow him, not only will he have us, but he will have generations behind us. We must always be on the lookout for these seducing spirits and doctrines of the devil; because, if we are not careful, they will make us spiritually blind making it harder for us to find out way in this world (1Timothy 4:1-5).

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1Timothy 4:12)

Picture from lds.org

Today, our missionaries are going out younger than ever. Many wonder if they are mature enough to handle the things they will face as they try to bring others into the gospel fold. This scripture found in 1 Timothy reminds us that age does not matter in teaching others the gospel. When someone is worthy and willing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost will work through that person, regardless of age. I can’t tell you how many times my heart has been touched by someone who is only a quarter of my own age. When we make our lives clean and worthy for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, nothing else matters, especially for the one ready to hear the message that needs to be shared.

Many times, Christ taught that we cannot serve two masters. In 1 Timothy 6:7-11, we are taught that “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). To me, this means that when we love something, this being money, we put it above everything else. We put it above our families, our responsibilities, and God himself. Everything we do is focused on how we get more money rather than what Heavenly Father wants us to do. To counter this, Paul gave counsel that can help us not have a love for money take over our hearts. He said that we should not be high minded or conceited, to not think of ourselves as better than someone else. We should not trust uncertain riches but trust God as His rich blessing are sure. We should always to seek out opportunities to serve others and always be generous. We should also always be looking ahead and being prepared for life’s trials. In The Book of Mormon in Jacob 2:18-19, we are further taught to always put the kingdom of God first, being promised that our needs will be taken care of as we put His needs above our own. As we are blessed, we should have the intent to do good things with those blessings and take care of the poor. As we focus more on Christ, our thoughts are less centered on the things of this world and money, and more of showing love for one another, which is the second greatest commandment; but, ultimately shows our love of God as well.

from lds.org

There is so much around us to distract us from being who we are meant to be. Satan is hard at work to keep us from obtaining all that our Heavenly Father wants for us because he is angry. He wants us to be as miserable as he is but we don’t have to listen to him. We can be “an example of the believers” in all that we do. Through our reverence for the gift of our bodies, in keeping the commandments, and to seeking to do good, we can have all that Heavenly Father is waiting to give us. We are His sons and daughters and He is ready to give you your blessings. The only thing you have to do is decide if you’re ready to be a believer too.

Baptism

(Picture from lds.org)

I was baptized a long time ago when I turned eight years old. I don't remember much about that day or if I truly understood what it meant to be baptized. I only knew I was being baptized because that is what Jesus did and I want to be like Jesus.

(Picture from lds.org)

As I have gotten older and studied the gospel, I have come to understand why we were are baptized and what it means in our lives. I have been able to make it more meaningful in my life by renewing my baptismal covenants every week through the Sacrament. As an eight year old, I may not have been able to grasp the full meaning, but as an adult, I have been able to to more fully appreciate why and understand how I knew it was the right thing to do when I was eight.

This week in our New Testament class, I learned about the symbolism that baptism has to events in Christ's life as I studied Romans chapter 6. We are taught that we are baptized for a remission of our sins, to have the things we do wrong washed away if we have repent of them. Being baptized is like burying our sins. This is symbolic of Christ dying for us. When Christ died, his body was "buried" just as we should bury the sins we have repented of. As Christ raised from the died, we are raised our of our sins. We become a new person through Christ as we repent and promise never to do those things again.

One thing we were asked to consider in this symbolism, why couldn't someone be baptized by sprinkling? As I though about this, when we bury someone, we don't just sprinkle dirt on the coffin and call it good, we bury the coffin deep in the earth. As we bury our former sins, we also don'e just want to sprinkle water and call it good, we want to bury them deep so that we can be a new person as we come out of the waters of baptism. Being baptized by full immersion in the water and coming out is a representation of being born again, a taking on of a new life, a life committed to being more like Jesus and acting in His name.

"For the natural man is an enemy to God,...unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)

By being baptized, we are putting off or burying our natural man to become like Christ. We promise, as we are baptized, to more like Christ, to be His representative here on earth and to do His work. He showed us by example and taught us what we should do as we serve those around us. Christ is the source of our freedom.

"...being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our  Lord." (Romans 6:22-23)

Through baptism, we are free from the death that sin can bring on us and we receive the gift of eternal life. I know that every day is a process to stay free, but as we repent every day and apply the Atonement, we can forever be free of the effects of sin. We can receive all that our Heavenly Father promises and look forward with hope in this life.

 

"As You Sow, So Shall You Reap"

If you were raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you may be familiar with the phrase "to be in the world but not of the world." Throughout the years, we have come to know that the world does things differently from what Heavenly Father would have us do. If we follow what the world does, then we are of the world, but if we do what Heavenly Father would have us do, then we are only in the world.

In Galatians 6:8, Paul taught that through our actions and choices, we will either be blessed, or we will be miserable.  If our works are those of the world, we may experience fame and fortune for a time but eventually that will all go away. If our works are centered on the Savior and all that He taught, are blessings will be eternal and we will know true happiness, not only in this life but in the life to come.

One thing that we can do to show that we are following the teachings of Christ is to bear each other’s burden. Paul teaches this in Galatians 6:2, but we are also taught this in the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 18:8-10. We must reach out to comfort those that are mourning and suffering. As we do this, we are showing that we have taken upon us the name of Christ. We are His hands here on earth to help those in need.

Our actions here on earth are important. In Doctrine and Covenants 1:10, we are taught that what we do to others, we will also experience or will be given back to us. This returns us to Paul’s teaching again in Galatians 6:7-8 saying that we cannot hide from what we have done or will do. If we continually do good to all men we will receive good back; however, if do un-Christlike things, we can expect bad things to happen to us.

It’s not easy to do good all the time but we will be blessed in our efforts. Paul teaches us in Galatians 6:9 to “…not be weary of well doing...” Doctrine and Covenants 58:27 we are also taught that we “…should be anxiously engaged in a good cause…”As we make the effort to reach out and to find good things to do, I know Heavenly Father will know of our hearts through our works. He will know that we have listened and applied the teachings of His son, our Savior, and desire only the good things He has for us in the life to come. If we get tired of all the good things that we’re doing, we should kneel in prayer and ask for strength to keep going and He will send us that strength. 

The Impact of Example

How important is an example? In most things we do, we do them because we’re following the example of someone else. Someone else taught us how to do that thing. Sometimes, we follow their example and they don’t even know it. Examples are important and they have an impact in our way of live just as much as our example impacts someone else way of life.

Being a good example to those around us, especially as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, can influence how someone feels about us and ultimately what we say we believe. By our example, we can bring people closer to Christ. Through our example, they will not see us but they will see our Savoir. In 1 Corinthians 4:16, Paul says to the people of Corinth to “be ye followers of me.” We are taught in our study manual that Paul did not say this because he wanted them to be just like himself. He was an apostle, a representative of Christ. He was asking them to follow his example of trying to be like Christ. By following the prophet and apostles, not only through their words but also by the way they live, we will be following Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 4:2, the servants are required to be faithful. As I pondered on what it meant to be faithful, I glanced at the footnote below and it directed me to the Topical Guide to trustworthiness. As I looked over the verses included there with their summaries, this is what I found:

• We must keep the way of the Lord. Christ showed us the way and it’s up to us to learn it and live it.
• Commit all we have and all that we are to the building up of the kingdom of God.
• Be diligent in our responsibilities; home, community, and church.
• Obey and observe what we are taught from the scriptures and for our living prophet and apostles.

We are taught the gospel, we read the gospel, and we listen to gospel direction from a living prophet of God. But it is not enough to know the gospel. In Alma 39:12, is says, “Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to destruction.” Our example, good or bad, can have in impact on the lives of many other people. People will watch what we do and they will do what we do whether we want them to or not. By living righteously, we can show people the way to be happy. If we live in sin, we will be showing them how to be miserable and we will be held responsible for our example.

In conclusion, I know that our actions do speak louder than our words. If we say we follow Christ, then our actions need to be accordingly. As we do good and are good examples to other, we will be seen as trustworthy, faithful people. In 3 Nephi 8, the Nephites are reading their records and watching for the signs of Christ death and resurrection. They know the time is coming for great things to happen. In 3 Nephi 8:1 it says that they know the record in which they are reading are true because of the man who wrote them was a just and true man. It goes on to say that they knew this not by the words in which he spoke to them but by his actions, by the miracles he performed, because they knew that he had the power of God with him. They also knew that no man could have the power of God unless he was a good man. The same goes for us, we are good in all that we say and do, we too can draw on the power of God. We can be the example to those around us of happiness and peace in a world of chaos and trials. We can help others know Christ just by the way we are.

Counsel for Members (1 Thessalonians 3-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-6, 11)

As Paul ministered to the Church during his missions, he grew to love the people and showed them how they should live the gospel. Later, he wrote letters and reminded them of the attributes to improve upon in the lives. The list below is what I was able to come up with but I am sure there are more:

• Have a love of God and learn to do His will.
• Love one another, edify one another, be patient, and do good to all men.
• Keep the commandments.
• Know and live by the example given by church leaders.
• Pray for our leaders and don’t talk bad about those called to do the work. 
• Abstain from sexual sin and avoid all evil. Separate from those things that are evil. Pray for protection from evil. 
• Be honest to all men and in all things. Even if our untruth is never found out, God knows all.
• Learn and develop talents and skills.
• Learn the value of work and develop the love of work.
• Watch and prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Be patient in the waiting.
• Share the gospel and pray for missionary work.
• Rejoice always.
• Pray always.
• Show gratitude in all things.
• Deny not the Holy Ghost.
• Build testimony of and hold fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

·         As I look at this list, and even though it was for the members of Paul’s time, I see things that I do well but many others that I still need some work on. These things are just as applicable to our times as they were of Paul’s time. Of the things I need to work on, the three I want develop and continue to work on are to rejoice always, pray always, and to develop talents and skills.

Many of my friends would probably tell you that I already rejoice always. To me, rejoice always is being positive and always finding good in things. For me, this is an everyday choice. Many years ago, I learned that happiness is not something that happens to you, it is something you choose. Only you can allow something to bring you down and make you miserable. Since that lesson learned, I make it a matter of prayer to always see the good and be happy regardless of what stress I feel. Some days, those prayers are much more constant than others.

This brings me to my next attribute that is a constant thing for me, to pray always. I know that speaking to my Heavenly Father is a good thing and I do take many opportunities throughout the day to say quick little ones here and there but I have always found it hard to get on my knees and pour our my heart in prayer every morning and evening. To seek His strength and guidance through the day and then to return and report in the evening, expressing gratitude for all that He has done for during that day. I commit to making this a habit because I know the strength that comes from daily communication with my Heavenly Father. As I make this a goal for my life, it can only give me more strength to endure the weight of the day.

My last attribute is one that I have already started to do and that is to develop talents and skills. Heavenly Father has asked us to increase our knowledge and never stop learning. As I have tried to pursue this in my adult life, I have felt guided and prepared for many things in my life. When I connected with the BYU Idaho Pathways program over a year ago, I knew this was an answer to my prayers about finishing a degree. I don’t know what the future holds for me but I do know that I will do everything I can to never stop learning and to always seek opportunities to share the knowledge Heavenly Father has blessed me with.

I know that I am not perfect nor will I ever be, but I can always strive to improve. In Paul’s teachings to the Thessalonians, are many things in which for me to work on. I know that as I continually work on myself, that it can only bring blessings and bring me closer to my Heavenly Father.

Acts 13 - 14 Paul's First Mission

This week I learned about Paul's first mission. We can learn a lot from this apostles experiences and we can draw strength from what he taught as he made his way trying to convert others to Christ's teachings. As you see from the map above, he started in Seleucia moving on to Salamis on the island of Cyprus. After Salamis, they went into Paphos where they met with a sorcerer and another man. This other man, Sergius Paulus, desired to be taught the word of God but the sorcerer tried to prevent him form hearing what Paul and his companion, Barnabus, were teaching. Paul, being filled with the Holy Ghost, cause the sorcerer to be blind because he was preventing the gospel from being taught to Sergious Paulus.

Up to this point, they had another apostle traveling with them who was John. After leaving Paphos, the when into Perga when John left them to return to Jerusalem. They moved on into Antioch and set to work teaching in the synagogue. As they taught, they testified of Christ and all that He had done on their behalf. Once they finished teaching in the synagogues, the Gentiles asked to be taught as well on the next week. When the Jew saw that the apostles were teaching the Gentiles as well as the Jews, the Jews become upset but Paul let them know that the gospel is for all who will listen and believe. The Jews were not happy and kicked Paul and Barnabus out of their city. 

In Iconium, things seemed to be getting worse. The Jews begin to stir up trouble wherever Paul and Barnabus went. The good thing here was that they were aware of the plans the Jews had for them and were able to leave, moving on into Lystra and Derbe, where they were able to teach and perform miracles. 

One such miracle was that of a man who was born crippled and unable to walk. Because Paul could feel the faith of this man, commanded the man to arise and walk. Upon hearing Paul, the man not only got up and walked but he leaped.

 

I can only imagine the joy and gratitude this man had but his action of "leaping" when the apostle told him he was healed shows me that I must always show my gratitude for the blessings Heavenly Father has given to me, especially through my faith.

Upon seeing this miracle, the people starting calling Paul and Barnabus gods, praising them, and trying to make sacrifices unto them. Both Paul and Barnabas were not happy with this praise and they stopped the people in their praises, telling them that they were men just like them. All their works, like the healing of this man, were done through the power in which they were given but that all glory and praise were to go to Heavenly Father. Without all that God has given us, we are nothing and is there for us in all things, in all places, and at all times.

By this point, another group of Jews caught up with Paul and Barnabus and began to persecute them once again but their work was not done. They were able to escape and preceed to teach many people as they returned back through the city in which they came and returned to Anitoch. As they made their way back, they went "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

The tribulation that Paul and Barnabus faced was great (Paul being stoned and thought to be dead but stood up and walked away) but they did continue in faith, doing the work Heavenly Father wanted of them. We can do no less in what we are called to do. Our work may be hard and, at some points, we may feel like rocks are falling down around our heads but it is through our faith in Heavenly Father that we will receive the strength we need to carry on with the work He would have us do. If we feel discouraged or lost, we are taught that through prayer and fasting, we can find our way again. We can also get a blessing from a priesthood leader who will give us direct words from our Heavenly Father for our help in knowing how to reconnect ourselves. This life is not easy and the work we are called to do is not easy but we are not alone. Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to turn to Him in all that we do. Paul and Barnabus are great examples of heeding the call to work in His kingdom and to bring others to the gospel. Through their example, I know that I can do the work. Through my faith, I can receive the strength I need to do what He would have me do and if, for some reason, I forget what I'm suppose to be doing, by praying, fasting, and if needed, a blessing can help me reconnect myself to the Spirit and continue in the work.

New Testament Class (Part 2)

I am back in a New Testament class and am again being asked to do a Student Choice Assignment. As you probably have guess, I'm going to use the blog again. So here's my first post.

The Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 6:6-8, 7:51-60)

Stephen was a man chosen with six other men by the people to help assistant the Twelve Apostles in the work of sharing the gospel after Christ returned back to our Heavenly Father. Stephen was a man of great faith and filled with the power of the Holy Ghost. Because of his faith and the power of the Holy Ghost he was able to do many "great wonders and miracles among the people." (See Acts 6:6-8)

Just as they angry about the popularity Christ received through His miracles and teachings, the Jewish leaders were angry with Stephen and brought him to trial with many false witnesses against him. Even in the face of persecution, Stephen held firm to his faith and bore testimony of the divinity and mission of Christ. As he bore testimony, the heavens were opened and he was allowed to see the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God (see Acts 7:55). He then testified of what he saw. This made the Jewish leaders even madder and they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. 

Stephen's experience is very much like that of Abinadi whose story is found in The Book of Mormon in Mosiah chapters 10-12. Abanidi was asked to teach the people of King Noah about Christ and to preach repentance because the people had grown very wicked under the role of King Noah who was not a good person himself. Because King Noah and many of his people didn't like being told to repent and change their ways, they brought Abinadi to trail. They told him that if he would take back his testimony of Christ, they would let him live. No matter what he might face, Abinadi refused and continued to teach and testify of Christ, even to his last breath. 

Through both of the stories, I have learned that I must not be afraid to share my testimony with whomever Heavenly Father asks me to share it with. No matter what can be done to me, my testimony is what will allow me to see Heavenly Father again and to be in His presence along with my Savior. He is my strength in all that I face. Also, any amount of persecution we face is worth it if we are able to touch the heart of at least one person and help them to know of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Though I may never be asked to give my life for my testimony, my dedication to it should be the same.

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.