Backtracking a little just to comment on some of the things I jotted on the side when I was reading this. It is always so wonderful to hear from the prophet. He related a portion from Alice in Wonderland where she comes to a fork in the road and asks the Cheshire Cat which way to go. He asks her where she wants to go and then states If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn't matter which path you take. President Monson said "Unlike Alice, we all know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for by choosing our path, we choose our destination." It's always good to get a little reminder about perspective. In the grand scheme of things we are on a journey to try and gain eternal life and our choices should reflect that.
President Monson also said Salvation is an individual operation. For some reason when I read that statement the scripture from Doctrine and Covenants came to mind where it says that so great will be our joy if we bring only one soul to heaven. I realized he's probably not even talking about bringing some other soul to heaven, but simply ourselves. If we can live a life worthy to go back to Heavenly Father that alone will bring us incredible joy. Luckily Heavenly Father makes us so much more when we are following his path and a person following Him always seems to bring others to Him even if they don't know it.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
The Holy Ghost and Revelation
“Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel”
"But sometimes there is no one like President Monson, no home teacher, no caring sister available to minister in time of need. In those situations I have come to find solace and direction from the Comforter, another role of the Holy Ghost"
While reading this I had to put it into practice. I came to read these talks when I was seeking some comfort and direction. In the middle of this talk I just got down and prayed (and prayed, and prayed) and I know that the Holy Ghost does offer comfort. Our saviour has given us that gift so that sometimes we don't feel quite so alone. A peace that we are doing the Lord's will is sometimes just what we need.
"But sometimes there is no one like President Monson, no home teacher, no caring sister available to minister in time of need. In those situations I have come to find solace and direction from the Comforter, another role of the Holy Ghost"
While reading this I had to put it into practice. I came to read these talks when I was seeking some comfort and direction. In the middle of this talk I just got down and prayed (and prayed, and prayed) and I know that the Holy Ghost does offer comfort. Our saviour has given us that gift so that sometimes we don't feel quite so alone. A peace that we are doing the Lord's will is sometimes just what we need.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Serve with the Spirit
I loved this talk, it seemed especially pertinent to me today. I have had someone on my mind lately I have been thinking of what I can do for them, last night I found out why they were in need of help and I knew it was the time to step up. But I get so afraid, I over think it all. I worry that I won't know what to say or do and it will just be awkward. What I took from this talk was that if I go and serve with the Holy Ghost than it will be ok, that it will be the service that person needs. I guess this quote was my motivation for today
"let us do whatever is required to qualify for the Holy Ghost as our companion, and then let us go forward fearlessly so that we will be given the powers to do whatever the Lord calls us to do."
"let us do whatever is required to qualify for the Holy Ghost as our companion, and then let us go forward fearlessly so that we will be given the powers to do whatever the Lord calls us to do."
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Come Unto Me With Full Purpose of Heart and I Shall Heal You
I really, really enjoyed this talk. I love when one of the talks gives you new insight on scripture stories, and this talk did that for me with the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Elder Kearon said, "The Anti-Nephi-Lehies in the Book of Mormon laid down their weapons of war and buried them deep in the earth, covenanting never again to take up arms against their brethren. But they did more than that. "They became a righteous people" because "they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more." Their conversion was so complete and so profound that they "never did fall away."
I've read the Book of Mormon who knows how many times and this point never occured to me before. It wasn't just that they buried their weapons of war that made them so converted to the gospel, it was that they laid down their weapons of rebellion to God. The connection between their physical act of burying their weapons and their spiritual act of choosing to no longer live sinful lives is so perfect. They submitted their whole hearts to Christ and he in turn made them a holy joyful people. Their strength in the gospel and willingness to remain loyal to the covenants they made with God allowed them to be instruments in converting thousands more to the gospel. Just one more example of how the scriptures have so much to teach us even if you've read them before many times :)
I've read the Book of Mormon who knows how many times and this point never occured to me before. It wasn't just that they buried their weapons of war that made them so converted to the gospel, it was that they laid down their weapons of rebellion to God. The connection between their physical act of burying their weapons and their spiritual act of choosing to no longer live sinful lives is so perfect. They submitted their whole hearts to Christ and he in turn made them a holy joyful people. Their strength in the gospel and willingness to remain loyal to the covenants they made with God allowed them to be instruments in converting thousands more to the gospel. Just one more example of how the scriptures have so much to teach us even if you've read them before many times :)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Transforming Power of Faith and Character
"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day."
"An axiom we all understand is that you get what you pay for."
We will be what we make ourselves, there is no other way. We cannot become better just by wanting it, we have to work for it. I have been thinking a lot lately about what kind of person I want to be and I just couldn't figure out how to become that person, but I guess it comes from just doing it- even if it doesn't feel comfortable at first. I can't grow by only ever doing what is comfortable and normal. I just have to keep working at it and be consistently reaching and trying to do better.
I liked the hope that was offered at the end of this talk when he said "If you have determined to live righteously, don’t become discouraged. Life may seem difficult now, but hold on tightly to that iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize."
"An axiom we all understand is that you get what you pay for."
We will be what we make ourselves, there is no other way. We cannot become better just by wanting it, we have to work for it. I have been thinking a lot lately about what kind of person I want to be and I just couldn't figure out how to become that person, but I guess it comes from just doing it- even if it doesn't feel comfortable at first. I can't grow by only ever doing what is comfortable and normal. I just have to keep working at it and be consistently reaching and trying to do better.
I liked the hope that was offered at the end of this talk when he said "If you have determined to live righteously, don’t become discouraged. Life may seem difficult now, but hold on tightly to that iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize."
Monday, February 28, 2011
Temple Mirrors of Eternity
I'm with Becca- this was really good and what I needed today. I've been having an awful time lately, I am having trouble believing that some bad things will ever get better. I know that this talk didn't discuss that in particular but I loved when talking about God he said "He 'shall wipe away all tears from [our] eyes'- except the tears of joy when we see through temple mirrors of eternity and find ourselves home.." I just think that I needed to hear that.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Temple Mirrors of Eternity
I have been reading, things have just been in such upheaval I haven't had a chance to say anything. I actually kind of want to go back and read through a couple again, but I thought I better at least get this week's talks read.
I loved how in this talk Elder Gong spoke of all the different ways the temple mirrors remind us of eternity and our role here on earth. Sometimes I think we forget that the family relationships created in this life will go on for eternity. We are not working to save just ourselves but our families too.
Of all the things that were said in this talk the things that spoke to me the most were about the Savior. He said "only our Savior’s Atonement transcends time and space to swallow up death, anger, bitterness, unfairness, loneliness, and heartbreak." We focus so often on how the atonement can take away our sins, but it can also give us the comfort we need to get through hard things that come as a result of living in an imperfect world.
"Sometimes things go wrong even though we have done our very best." I think that was a message I needed to hear. It is hard not to feel guilty or wonder if you have done something wrong when you have numerous trials. It made me think of the story of Lazarus. Jesus did not get there in time and when he heard Lazarus was dead he wept. He knew that he had the power to raise Lazarus, and he knew the plan of salvation so he knew that death was not the end. I think Jesus wept for the pain he knew Martha and Mary were feeling. It is that way for us sometimes. He has a better perspective on our lives, yet he has felt what we are feeling and bears the burden and hurt with us. Sometimes just knowing that, is a comfort, there is someone who understands exactly what you are feeling.
Wow, that got a little long, but what a wonderful talk!
I loved how in this talk Elder Gong spoke of all the different ways the temple mirrors remind us of eternity and our role here on earth. Sometimes I think we forget that the family relationships created in this life will go on for eternity. We are not working to save just ourselves but our families too.
Of all the things that were said in this talk the things that spoke to me the most were about the Savior. He said "only our Savior’s Atonement transcends time and space to swallow up death, anger, bitterness, unfairness, loneliness, and heartbreak." We focus so often on how the atonement can take away our sins, but it can also give us the comfort we need to get through hard things that come as a result of living in an imperfect world.
"Sometimes things go wrong even though we have done our very best." I think that was a message I needed to hear. It is hard not to feel guilty or wonder if you have done something wrong when you have numerous trials. It made me think of the story of Lazarus. Jesus did not get there in time and when he heard Lazarus was dead he wept. He knew that he had the power to raise Lazarus, and he knew the plan of salvation so he knew that death was not the end. I think Jesus wept for the pain he knew Martha and Mary were feeling. It is that way for us sometimes. He has a better perspective on our lives, yet he has felt what we are feeling and bears the burden and hurt with us. Sometimes just knowing that, is a comfort, there is someone who understands exactly what you are feeling.
Wow, that got a little long, but what a wonderful talk!
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