"I pray the power of the Holy Ghost will be with each of us—that we may think what we need to think, feel what we need to feel, and learn what we need to learn so we can do what we know we should do and ultimately become what the Lord yearns for us to become." - David A. Bednar
"Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake."
- Psalms 115:1 - KJV
"Don't give glory to us, O LORD. Don't give glory to us. Instead, give glory to your name because of your mercy and faithfulness."
- Psalms 115:1 - God's Word Translation
"Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."
-Psalms 115:1 NIV Translation
This is such an awesome scripture! I love this verse in all the versions of the Bible. Can you imagine how different the world would look if we could only remember where all the credit and glory really belongs? Can you imagine how much we would stop worrying about the opinions of others, for good or for ill... and focused on the One opinion that really matters most?
Even Christ--who deserves all the glory--said during His ministry, " Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." - Mark 10:18
Elder Neal A. Maxwell observed,
Is there not deep humility in the omnicompetent Christ, the majestic Miracle Worker, who acknowledged, “I can of mine own self do nothing” (John 5:30)? Jesus neither misused nor doubted his power, but he was never confused about its source, either. Instead, we mortals—perhaps even when otherwise modest—are sometimes quite willing to display our accumulated accomplishments, as if we had done it all by ourselves. Hence this sobering reminder:
“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.[Deuteronomy 8:17–18]"
On another occasion Neal A. Maxwell recognized,
“Something I have heard President Hinckley do many times publicly is to give all the glory, the praise, and the honor to God. This is something I am going to do more often, including today, incorporating my appreciation for God’s tutoring and blessings.”
I think this is a fantastic place to start with a New Year’s resolution… to always give credit where credit is due. To be watchful and careful everyday that my motives are pure and not self-centered or self-aggrandizing. And when there is any praise given to me, I pray that I will be quick to acknowledge from Whom all blessings flow.
-Alicia
"Let not any passion be for kingdoms we have fashioned in our own name
For our own fame...
Let us not be fooled
And let us not be disillusioned
Let our eyes see You clearly...
Anything that’s true
Anything that’s good
Let it point to You... Not to us"
-Nichole Nordeman
Our "new" van broke down Friday night due to the transmission jolting and revving. It caught us totally off guard. I tested it again in the morning and sure enough, the same problem. I had to call and have it towed. The factory warranty we were led to believe it was under is actually null and void because of an undisclosed original owner/company, Via Motors, that removed the engine and replaced it with their own parts. It's like some kind of eerie mad Scientist experiment where the Dr. takes out the brain of a patient and puts in a different one just to see how they function. When we bought it, we knew nothing about Via Motors and it was never disclosed on the car facts. We understood the engine had all brand-new parts but we were told they were GM and the power train was covered for one more year. Learning otherwise yesterday made me sick to my stomach. This is the last thing we needed!
Since I am out a vehicle for a while, I had to have my friend, Suzanne, give me a lift to the laundromat so I could take care of the wash. She could only drop me off yesterday because all her kids had soccer games they had to be to. I told her not to worry about picking me up and that somehow I'd find a ride home. I brought some food and my homework with me. In between my reading assignments I made phone calls back and forth to the company that we bought our van through and the Chevy dealer's repair shop. The place who sold it to us was horrified with the information I gave them and denied having any knowledge about Via Motors.
All the detective work between the dealer and the factory was very frustrating. I needed a breather. After changing the clothes from the washers to the dryers, I walked around to the side of the building and slumped down in the shade of a tree. I began listening to Richard G. Scott's talk from 1995 "Trust in the Lord." My 80-yr-old friend, Vic, came outside and discovered me sitting there. (Vic is the owner of The Wash Hut Laundromat I've been going to for these past eight years. He's a very nice man, is always asking how I'm doing and bringing the children treats.)
I tried to put a smile on my face but couldn't suppress feeling so stupid and completely humiliated for buying another lemon, especially at this time where we're going to have to scrape and save all we can to make our mortgage each month. I was overwhelmed with doubts of my ability to be inspired and questioned myself: "Was there a prompting I missed somehow that tried to warn me about this van? How many other times have I felt as if I was going in the right direction only to discover a dead end? What's wrong with me? Why is this happening?"
"How ya doin' kid?" Vic's voice interrupted my self-defeating thoughts. I looked up and answered with a tired, "Hey there."
Sensing something wasn't right he asked, "What brings you over to this side of the building?"
"I'm just trying to gather my thoughts," I replied.
"Oh??" Vic said with an imploring tone and crossed his arms to comfortably listen.
"You won't believe it... but remember how our two cars broke down a couple months ago and we got that new van?? Well, now this new one is having some serious issues... right at the time we're getting ready to move into a house and take on a mortgage too. Even this dang phone, our only phone is literally falling to pieces (I held it up with its shattered screen in the air)... and so is our computer at home. It's like everything is deciding to break right now - right when everything is being removed from under us."
I took in a deep breath and heaved a heavy sigh.
"Aw, kid, I'm so sorry!" Vic replied with deep sympathy.
Despite my effort to hold back my tears, they began to stream down my face. I tried to wipe them quickly away and be strong. Vic rushed inside, grabbed me some Kleenex and a drink, and handed them to me as I continued:
"I just wish I knew what was going on. Is the Lord trying to tell me something? Is there something I need to change? I don't even have time to deal with all of this. I have a five-page paper due on Monday and I can't think, I can't focus at all. I'm trying to be optimistic. I'm trying to hear the Lord's voice in all of this. I don't know what to do."
Vic placed his hand lovingly on my head, "Oh, this is awful, kid. I'm so very sorry." He stood there searching for more words to say, "I wish there was something I could do. I wish I could write your paper for you. I wish I could fix your van, fix everything that's wrong. I just wish I could make everything better."
"I know you do, Vic. You are very sweet." I assured him that his kindness to listen was more than enough and I appreciated him expressing so much concern. "I know everything will be alright. I just need to trust that." I pointed to the talk I had on my phone by Richard G. Scott, "I just need to trust this."
"Well, let me know what you need from me." Vic insisted and returned into the building with a friendly wave.
I thanked him again and put my headphones back in to continue listening to Elder Scott's talk. I had to finish my work, I just couldn't afford to waste any more time. I gathered my stuff and walked back into the Wash Hut so I could begin folding clothes from the dryers. Elder Scott concluded his talk with this testimony:
"I know the principles that we have discussed are true. They have been tested in the crucible of personal experience. [his own crucible of personal experience] To recognize the hand of the Lord in your life and to accept His will without complaint is a beginning. That decision does not immediately eliminate the struggles that will come for your growth. But I witness that it is the best way there is for you to find strength and understanding. It will free you from the dead ends of your own reasoning. It will allow your life to become a productive, meaningful experience, when otherwise you may not know how to go on (see D&C 24:8)."
The counsel, "recognize the hand of the Lord in your life" hit me as the key to the peace I was needing in that moment. I began listing to myself all the blessings I had seen in the past several hours:
"I'm grateful my friend, Suzanne, was there for me to drive me to the laundromat.
I'm grateful I have some quiet time to study.
I'm grateful my arms and legs work so that I can stand here and easily fold these clothes.
I'm grateful I my health is good and I can enjoy the beauty of this day.
I'm grateful that I have perfect hearing and that I have this blessing of technology to listen to this talk from an apostle of the Lord as I work."
Focusing on the blessings really helped me and I felt so much better, much more calm.
Vick came over to visit again.
"How are you planning on getting all this stuff home?"
"I was going to call a friend and see if someone might be available to take me back."
"Me! Call me!" Vick offered.
"Okay, thank you," I said graciously.
He hastily brought his car around to the front of the building, backed it up, and opened the trunk. "Here you go. Just let me know when you are ready to leave."
I mentally added one more thing to be grateful for on my list. And started Elder Scott's talk over again for the third time.
"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain. When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this, now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial? Willing sacrifice of deeply held personal desires in favor of the will of God is very hard to do. Yet, when you pray with real conviction, “Please let me know Thy will” and “May Thy will be done,” you are in the strongest position to receive the maximum help from your loving Father. The laundry was ready and loaded into the trunk of Vic's car. He came out with a bag full of treats from the vending machine. "For your children." He smiled, stuffing the bag between the folded towels. He drove me home and helped me carry the baskets up to my apartment. I thanked him again for all his kindness and generosity. He hugged me, kissed me on the head, and drove away with a wave, "I love you, kid."
I pulled out the bag of treats Vic had stuffed into the laundry and began to divide the candy among the children. At the bottom of a bag was an envelope with $100. "Ah, Vic, you didn't need to do that!" I said out loud as if he were still there. I rebuked myself for complaining so openly. I didn't want him to give me money! I didn't want anyone to!! Nevertheless, it was another blessing and I thanked my God for it. I remembered the verse I had been pondering over this past week. "For I know the plans I have for you..."
"When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow." - Richard G. Scott
It's just not usual for me to toss and turn but I was so worried about Joseph. These somewhat forced and unforeseen new expenses in our life (buying a car and buying a house) have hit him hard and understandably, he's been completely overwhelmed with anxiety with how he's going to provide for it all. Last night, he came into bed extremely late because he was up looking for a second job. He absolutely hates the thought of a second job.
It didn't take much for me to discern his discouragement when his head hit the pillow. In frustration he blurted,"What if we have all these expenses suddenly come up under this new and extremely tight budget and we find ourselves in a situation where we can't make our mortgage or we have to file bankruptcy??" I tried to reassure him that it would never happen and things would be alright. He rolled to his side and faced the wall and didn't say anything. He was exhausted and I knew that continuing to try and talk would only frustrate him more so I scratched his back until I fell asleep... well sort-of... I kept waking every 20 minutes.
At 5 a.m. my restlessness conquered sleep completely and I decided that it was entirely useless for me to try anymore. I climbed out of bed, got dressed, grabbed my backpack, my headphones, my scriptures... and I headed up to the Y.
There's something about the early morning air before the break of dawn that is extremely invigorating for me. I love the feeling of hiking alone too so I can reflect or commune with God silently along the way. The silhouette of Rock Canyon under the light of a half-moon greeted me like a watchful guardian as my feet hit the trail. I breathed in deep the mountain air and soaked in the beauty of my surroundings while Chandler's "Epic/ Triumphant" playlist ignited my imagination through the headphones; Such a combination of things always makes me feel so free. Instantly, I was feeling better!
When I reached the top, I found a bench and enjoyed the glittery scene of the waking city I love so much. I prayed and poured my heart out to the Lord. I knew I had plenty of time before the children would be getting up so I just relaxed and stayed there praying and reading. I opened to where we've been studying as a ward family in the Book of Mormon. I read about how the Jaredites were guided on their journey to their promised land. I read the promise from the Lord that if they did everything in the name of Christ and served God, they would not be cast out. I felt this applied to our situation. I know we won't end up in a bankruptcy situation. I think we are going to see blessings unfold in ways we didn't imagine. The more I prayed and read the more sure I felt of this promise.
As dawn approached, I thought of the awesome power of the sun and how its radiance causes all other light to pale in its wake. God's power is like this, nothing really can compare. I trust Him.
Just as the morning rays began to hit the horizon, this gorgeous song called, Sunshine by John Murphy, began to play. It was perfect! I felt so much reassurance, so much peace. I felt grateful.
When I returned home, I greeted Joseph with a fresh excitement. "I have to tell you that you don't need to look for a second job, Everything is going to be alright. And if all else fails, I have some ideas of how I'll earn some money at home. I think we are going to witness some amazing things. Trust me on this."
He took a deep breath and looked at me hoping I was right. I hugged him tightly. "Hang in there," I said, "We got this. God is in charge and He won't let us fail in this endeavor because our hearts are in the right place, because we are doing all of this in the name of Christ and for the right reasons. He's got our back."
I never did regain any of my lost sleep throughout the day. But the experience of this morning was worth losing sleep over. I know just as sure as the sun rises every morning, my Father in Heaven is always there. Nothing compares to His power.
Tonight, we had a family lesson on the story of Moses when he spoke with God face to face, when he experienced the glory of heaven and witnessed the vast expanse of the Lord's creations.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland expounds, "What happened to Moses next, after his revelatory moment, would be ludicrous if it were not so dangerous and so absolutely true to form. In an effort to continue his opposition, in his unfailing effort to get his licks in later if not sooner, Lucifer appeared and shouted in equal portions of anger and petulance after God had revealed himself to the prophet, saying, 'Moses, worship me.' But Moses was not having it. He had just seen the real thing, and by comparison this sort of performance was pretty dismal. Moses looked upon Satan and said: 'Who art thou? . . . where is thy glory, that I should worship thee? For behold, I could not look upon God, except his glory should come upon me. . . . But I can look upon thee in the natural man. . . . . . . Where is thy glory, for it is darkness unto me? And I can judge between thee and God. . . . Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not.' [Moses 1:13–16]"
After discussing this story with our children, I thought of the power of Truth and reflected on the conversation I had with a friend this morning about the scriptures. She pointed out the verse in Helaman 5:12 the verse that promises if we are built on the foundation of Christ "that when the devil shall send forth his ... shafts in the whirlwind... it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo." (My friend admitted she didn't really know the word "shafts" so she looked it up and discovered it meant weapons.) When she shared this, it made the verse even more significant, especially in connection with these other verses in the scriptures; "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.... This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord." Isaiah 54:17 "For the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will [have your back]." - Isaiah 52:12
All I could think of was that with God we have the greatest power of the universe on our side and that we can actually be "bullet proof" to sniper attacks from the Adversary.
I wasn't there with Moses on the mountain to witness his encounters with heaven and hell. Oh what an experience that would have been! Just imagine the "casting out" scene when Moses calls upon the power of God to command Satan to leave. If I had been there, I probably would've liked to play a little song for the occasion remembering always Who has my back and Who makes me strong:
You shout it out,
But I can't hear a word you say
I'm talking loud, not saying much
I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet
Shoot me down, but I get up
I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
Cut me down
But it's you who'll have further to fall
Ghost town and haunted love
Raise your voice, sticks and stones may break my bones
We have an amazing Father in Heaven and I can't explain how but I know He is real, that He is the Father of each of us, that He hears, He sees, He understands, and He knows all.
Personally, I've experienced answers to prayers more numerous these past couple of years than I can begin to describe; situations, parallels, and connections that are far too many to be coincidental. And even though I may not see the bigger picture and have a full vision of its purpose at this moment in my life, it has strengthened my faith and I am grateful.
I know we can receive Divine assistance and heavenly help. I know we are not alone even when we feel as if there isn't a single soul who understands. We can have mysteries unfolded. Answers will come line upon line... and I'm slowly learning patience, the kind of patience that is okay with not knowing "why" until my life is over. Every heartache, every struggle only draws me to my knees in deeper, more soulful prayer.
To some who know "my story," it might seem crazy or impossible - but the more that has been revealed... I'm compelled to call it what it really is: A miracle!
I know two songs from the movie though I don't recall ever watching it. I've never read the book either... even though it has sat on my shelf for years. When I was a little girl, I remember my mother singing The Impossible Dream and Man of Lamancha. She'd dance through the kitchen like a cheerful songbird and often get the lyrics messed up... but she sang her heart out anyway.
After reading the book that came in the mail last week, I took interest in the way the author mentions Don Quixote in her last chapter. It reads as follows:
After [Don Quixote] tells [Aldonza] of his quest - to follow the impossible dream - she pleads, "Once, just once - would you look at me as I really am?" He gazes into her eyes and answers, "I see beauty. Purity. I see the woman each man holds secret within him. Duclinea." ...In his quest to "add some measure of grace to the world" he became alive to new visions, to the vision of one who values all life - Jesus Christ. Though she fights his vision as being unrealistic, her heart longs for it to be true, and in time the presence of his love, gentleness, and glory transform her life and her very nature.
His triumph in the quest to "add some measure of grace" comes as he lies upon his deathbed and Aldonza comes to see him. She cries for him to regain the quest, "Please! Try to remember!" "Is it so important?" he asks. "Everything. My whole life. You spoke to me and everything was different!" she pleads. As he fades and dies, she is resurrected into a new being and walks away with his quest instilled upon her heart, and thereafter calls herself, Dulcinea [which means -sweet above all that is sweet]."
The part she describes here sounded so familiar to me.
"I know this story" I thought to myself. " I know it well."
It's a story of transformation, a story of redemption, a story of what happens to a soul when someone sees them differently, when they are seen by the light of truth, and it awakes them to who they are meant to become no matter how impossible it might seem.
There's no doubt in my mind that God knows and loves us beyond our mortal comprehension. He answers our prayers. He has great plans, tailor-made opportunities, and custom-fit challenges to help us grow into who we're meant to be.
...And sometimes He sends angels to help us along our journey. I will thank God for my angels every single day of my life. How could I ever forget the measure of grace they added to my world?! Their quest is my quest now. It is written and instilled deep upon my heart forever.
Our three neighbor children, Kaia, Carter, and Emma. came up to celebrate Easter with our family in the morning and again in the evening. We had scones with honey for breakfast because Christ ate honeycomb after he was resurrected. For dinner, we had fish as our main course because the Savior taught us to be "fisher's of men". We had grape juice with our meal too because Jesus "troddened the wine press alone". For dessert, we made our traditional empty tombs.
As a gift, the kids got a new youth speaker CD, (they get one every Easter). This one is called Press Forward by, John Bytheway. It was great to have it play in the background while the children played chess and checkers.
I'd say overall, the day went pretty well. It was a little bumpy right after church between Miriam and Micah as they tried to dye Easter eggs. The ones Micah tried to paint kept slipping out of his hands and cracking.
We had a lot of mess with everything to say the least... but it all worked out. I was really glad to have our three visitors.
As the kids listened to their John Bytheway CD - I heard this quote and had to quickly jot it down:
"God lives, and his eyes are over us, and his angels are round and about us, and they are more interested in us than we are in ourselves, ten thousand times, but we do not know it" (Journal of Discourses, 23: 222).
I love that! "They are more interested in us than we are in ourselves, ten thousand times". This is true! I know this!! I mean, life can be hard and I think it's so wonderful to know that we can call down heaven to assist us.
Also, I've listened to this talk by Elder Holland a few times today. I love his testimony!
"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”
I like that we have this promise in life as Elder Holland says: In the Gospel we have the "unfailing companionship" of Christ, of the Spirit, of angels (on earth and in heaven), prophets, teachers, leaders, and friends. We are not alone! I'm so thankful for this consolation and this wonderful Easter season!
It was a wonderful testimony meeting yesterday in Church. I especially appreciated those who testified of the grace of our Savior and the power of prayer. I love that my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ are so approachable. I can take every piece of my heart and lay it at Their feet knowing that no matter how ridiculous or foolish "my issues" may seem, I am rightfully judged and perfectly loved. There are things in life that hurt so bad, you eventually start to feel numb to the pain. I wonder if the numbness is almost an act of mercy - just how the physical body goes into shock, I think the Lord knows when our spirit can't take anymore.
I'm so thankful to know that new days come, new opportunities, new chances to begin again. That's one thing I love about my Father in Heaven - He lets me start over as if nothing ever happened. He doesn't hold the past against me or treat me differently because I didn't quite measure up to His expectation, He just keeps loving me. I'm thankful to know that "my issues" aren't foolish to Him, that He knows exactly what it feels like to be in my current situation. He knows because He took it all on Himself as if my heart was His own.
We hide pain in the weirdest places
Broken souls with smiling faces
Fighting for surrender
For now and the after
Just look around and you’ll see that people
Are scared to say how they really feel, oh
We all need a little honesty
You are loved
If your heart’s in a thousand pieces
If you’re lost and you’re far from reason
Just look up, know you are loved
Just look up, and know you are loved
When it feels like somethings missing
If it hurts but you can’t find healing
Just look up, know you are loved
Just look up, know you are loved.
We’re not made to be superheroes,
Photoshopped, all size zeroes
We’re a light not expected
But not quite perfected yet.
Look up see the sun is shinning
There’s hope on a new horizon
Calling you, calling…
You don’t have to prove yourself
Don’t try to be someone else
We had some great talks in Sacrament Meeting today. I wrote down all the verses, poems, and quotes that were shared by each speaker. My daughter is sick this Sunday... so after the meeting I stopped by home to check on her. I had a moment to grab her some soup, help her get comfortable, and then post the notes I took before heading out again to give a lesson in Young Women's. :)
- Alicia
Happy Sabbath!
1st Speaker -
“To love another person is to see the face of God.”
― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
"The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." - Alma 30:44
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." - John 14:15
2nd Speaker -
Under the stars we realize how small we are... and yet we are everything to Him.
“I know not by what method rare
But this I know, God answers prayer.
I know that he has given his Word
Which tells me prayer is always heard
And will be answered soon or late
And so I pray and calmly wait.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the way I thought
But leave my prayers with him alone
Whose will is wiser than my own
Assured that he will grant my quest
Or send some answer far more blessed.”
― Eliza M. Hickok (Read by, President Monson)
"O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit." - 2 Nephi 9:10
"There is a simple cure for the terrible malady of forgetting God, His blessings, and His messages to us. Jesus Christ promised it to His disciples when He was about to be crucified, resurrected, and then taken away from them to ascend in glory to His Father. They were concerned to know how they would be able to endure when He was no longer with them. Here is the promise. It was fulfilled for them then. It can be fulfilled for all of us now: 'These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.' ( John 14:25–26)" - Elder Henry B. Eyring
"These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." - John 15:9-13
(The brother who spoke quoted this portion of Elder Holland's talk)
"O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee
Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts aboveO to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee
Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above"
3rd Speaker -
"We love him, because he first loved us." -1 John 4:19
" I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father." - Ether 12:33-34
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God" - 1 John 5:1-3
(She shared three thoughts from this verse)
1. First we must seek to love God
2. We seek to love everyone around us with this purest love.
3. We show our love by keeping His commandments.
4th Speaker -
How do we feel God's love? We must first believe!
The first principle of the Gospel is faith.
" I feel my Savior's love
In all the world around me.
His Spirit warms my soul
Through ev'rything I see.
I feel my Savior's love;
Its gentleness enfolds me,
And when I kneel to pray,
My heart is filled with peace.
I feel my Savior's love
And know that he will bless me.
I offer him my heart;
My shepherd he will be.
I'll share my Savior's love
By serving others freely.
In serving I am blessed.
In giving I receive.
He knows I will follow him,
Give all my life to him.
I feel my Savior's love,
The love he freely gives me."
- Children's songbook pg. 74
My father and I had the experience of "sharing the Savior's love" to a woman from my ward. We were her hometeachers. She was a widow with four children. When her kids grew older, her first daughter passed away. She lived in a humble house with no heating. We would chop wood for her and visit with her. It was a wonderful experience helping this sweet woman and we felt our Savior's love for her as we served her.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13
"I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me....Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!" - Hymn 193
"I’m confident that there is no choice, sin, or mistake that you or anyone else can make that will change [Our Father in Heaven's] love for you or for them. That does not mean He excuses or condones sinful conduct—I’m sure He does not—but it does mean we are to reach out to our fellowman in love..." - Elder Ronald A. Rasband
This is a song I really wish was in our hymn books. One might recognize the tune from "Israel Israel God is Calling." The version I have here is from Newsboys so it's not the rhythm we're used to singing in my church but every time I listen to it and focus on the words, I feel the Spirit. I'm so thankful for prayer, for the atonement, for the intercession the Spirit makes when I cannot find the words. It fills me with hope and peace knowing that no matter how big or small the issue - if it is weighing on my heart - My Father in Heaven and Savior know, They care about it, and I will have the aide of Heaven to help me through. I'm so thankful for the vision, the serenity, the courage, the hope, the joy, the direction, the forgiveness, the love, and comfort I find in my Savior. He truly is my greatest Friend!
"I was born in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five, on the twenty-third day of December..." - Joseph Smith
Just two days before Christmas in the small town of Sharon, Vermont, he was born; A prophet called of God to restore the truths of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith was honest and sincere with a pure heart and desire to know the will of the Lord for him. He did exactly as James 1:5 directs and sought for answers through humble prayer. Verses 24&25 of his history are my very favorite: "...It was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise. So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation." - Joseph Smith
What happened to Joseph in that sacred grove and the visions and visitations that followed were miracles in this modern day! I think sometimes when we hear or read of these things that it might seem distant to us, as if experiences such as these are out of our reach. We may say to ourselves, "I know I can pray but I doubt that God would ever open a vision to me or give me answers to questions such as these." Who are we to limit God? "My beloved... have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men."- Moroni 7:29
Joseph Smith and his counselors in the First Presidency gave the following instructions to the Saints who were gathering to Nauvoo: “God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him … from the least to the greatest [see Jeremiah 31:34].”
With any personal decision or challenge we might face in life, we can rest assured that the heavens are open and we can receive divine guidance in our sphere of jurisdiction. "Even the least Saint may know." It is the essential element of faith.
Joseph Smith taught, "Miracles are the fruits of faith." He said, "The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching.”
"[I] believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." I believe in them with all of my heart and soul. Not even the smallest doubt exists in my mind of their reality. When I pray, I know I am addressing my good and gracious Father. He knows me intimately and cares for me with a love I cannot comprehend. I have a Savior who redeems me, who lifts me back up after every fall, who knows my every heartache because he has experienced every pain.
This is my foundation. I have learned this by faith. I have learned this from sincerely praying and holding nothing back as I pour out my soul. I have learned this by seriously studying the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon.
I'm a little late in choosing my verse to ponderize this week. But this is the one I have selected. I think it is fitting both for the restoration of the Gospel and with Christmas in two days. "I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it." - JSH 1:25
