Hey guys!
I recently re-studied the part of the Book of Mormon where Christ visits the Americas. For some reason, the scriptures hit me so much harder than ever before this time around.
I challenge whoever is reading this to go read 3 Nephi chapters 8 through 11. I felt something reading these chapters today that I cannot deny.
Jesus Christ.
He loves us all infinitely. He atoned for all of the spirit children of our Heavenly Father that have ever and will ever live a mortal life. His love and sacrifice catches all pain, suffering, sickness, sin, and heartache.
But how often do we ponder the intimate nature of the atonement within the infinite nature? I know with my whole being that my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, atoned for ME. He would have gone through the whole process of humiliating torment, excruciating supplication, crucifixion, and resurrection if it had been for only you. No earthly amount of love or sympathy can compare to that which was displayed for you in Gethsemane, on Calvary, and wherever He walked. He took upon Himself all burdens so that you might not have to carry them alone. He underwent all afflictions so that you may not have to feel isolated in your mortal journey. He loved you enough to die for you--but more impressive, He loved you enough to live for you. He knows your sins, your weaknesses, your shortcomings, your strengths, your emotions--and He knows them better than even yourself.
When you return to His presence, you will know His voice better than any other man. Many people say that when they finally see Jesus again, they will run to Him and give Him a great big hug. I know with every fiber of my being that I will fall down on my face in pure love and worship of my Heavenly Father's only begotten Son. He died and lived for me.
His life was filled with more physical pain than any man would scientifically be able to live through. Yet He lived. His life was riddled with more social outcast and ridicule than any man has ever or will ever encounter. Yet He lived. His life traversed the full spectrum of feelings of worthiness before our Heavenly Father, even so that He eventually felt what no man should feel--complete abandonment from our Father in Heaven. Yet He lived. He lived, and He lives today. And He does so for you.
Don't forget Him. He has never forgotten you.
I say these things in the name of Him who I could not live without, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
First Baptist Musings
I had the opportunity to visit a worship service of a faith other than my own on Sunday. This was part of an assignment for one of my classes. I chose to attend the service of the "First Baptist Church of Provo" and I can't express how glad I am that I did :)
I worried, as many religious people do, that in visiting this other faith I would be criticized or questioned on my "peculiar" beliefs.
These people were some of the most God-loving, Christlike, caring individuals I have encountered outside my own faith. I was immediately welcomed and many lay members engaged me in my conversations about their specific beliefs. I enjoyed learning about this faith while keeping a calm conviction in what I had already decided I believed in a long time ago (my own Mormon beliefs). This experience was one I will cherish.
Now why should you care?
The reality is, the world today is not open to much religious discussion and acceptance. Our society has become a hypocrite in itself. The majority pushes for equality of expression in all forms and yet religious freedoms are somehow acceptably squandered. How is it that an eternal God has so quickly been deemed "old-fashioned"? How is it that we can proclaim our love and acceptance for all kinds of people and then turn to criticize our neighbor's beliefs simply because they presumably cannot coexist with our own? How is it that I can deem someone's practices to be out of line with what they believe when THEY are the ONLY person who has the right to interpret those beliefs they hold dear? Before you jump to conclusions about someone's beliefs, ask them yourself! Surprise, surprise: the internet is not always a credible source for ANY religion's doctrines ;)
Remember that, as stated in 2 Nephi 2:11, "it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things". If all men were supposed to be forced to forgo their agency and give in to one mindset or faith, God could have easily made that happen. Our religious differences make us who we are. It is no man's right to take away another man's right. Embrace the opposition of today--but let's not turn opposition into argument.
Ronald A. Rasband, a member of the LDS Quorum of the 12 Apostles, gave a beautiful devotional on the subject of religious freedom/equality a little over a month ago at Brigham Young University. For further investigation, I strongly recommend you look up this talk. The title is "Religious Freedom and Fairness for All".
If you expect the world to allow you to freely worship as you choose, you must allow the world to worship as it will.
I worried, as many religious people do, that in visiting this other faith I would be criticized or questioned on my "peculiar" beliefs.
These people were some of the most God-loving, Christlike, caring individuals I have encountered outside my own faith. I was immediately welcomed and many lay members engaged me in my conversations about their specific beliefs. I enjoyed learning about this faith while keeping a calm conviction in what I had already decided I believed in a long time ago (my own Mormon beliefs). This experience was one I will cherish.
Now why should you care?
The reality is, the world today is not open to much religious discussion and acceptance. Our society has become a hypocrite in itself. The majority pushes for equality of expression in all forms and yet religious freedoms are somehow acceptably squandered. How is it that an eternal God has so quickly been deemed "old-fashioned"? How is it that we can proclaim our love and acceptance for all kinds of people and then turn to criticize our neighbor's beliefs simply because they presumably cannot coexist with our own? How is it that I can deem someone's practices to be out of line with what they believe when THEY are the ONLY person who has the right to interpret those beliefs they hold dear? Before you jump to conclusions about someone's beliefs, ask them yourself! Surprise, surprise: the internet is not always a credible source for ANY religion's doctrines ;)
Remember that, as stated in 2 Nephi 2:11, "it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things". If all men were supposed to be forced to forgo their agency and give in to one mindset or faith, God could have easily made that happen. Our religious differences make us who we are. It is no man's right to take away another man's right. Embrace the opposition of today--but let's not turn opposition into argument.
Ronald A. Rasband, a member of the LDS Quorum of the 12 Apostles, gave a beautiful devotional on the subject of religious freedom/equality a little over a month ago at Brigham Young University. For further investigation, I strongly recommend you look up this talk. The title is "Religious Freedom and Fairness for All".
If you expect the world to allow you to freely worship as you choose, you must allow the world to worship as it will.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Allow Him to Help You Perfectly
1 Nephi chapter 11 verse 10 depicts Nephi literally conversing with a spirit that God has sent to him. The spirit asks Nephi, "What desires thou?"
While it may not always seem prevalent in our lives, we have a Heavenly host of angels to help bear us up. This scripture struck me very hard as evidence that God knows each of His children's desires on a personal level. He is aware. He is knowledgeable of our situation. He desperately wants to help. Whether we feel it or not, He is pleading that we will turn to Him so that He may check up on us and what our current needs are. The only person that can fulfill all of our righteous desires is our Heavenly Father, so why turn anywhere else for guidance?
So how can we let him into our lives? Here's a couple things to get you started:
1. Prayer--when you pray, thank Him for specific instances where you felt His hand in your life. This will allow you to realize all that the Father does for you. Also, try to stay kneeling for a bit after your prayer and just listen.
2. Scriptures--don't just read them to check it off of your list. Study, with pen in hand, the teachings and turn "history" into "yourstory".
While it may not always seem prevalent in our lives, we have a Heavenly host of angels to help bear us up. This scripture struck me very hard as evidence that God knows each of His children's desires on a personal level. He is aware. He is knowledgeable of our situation. He desperately wants to help. Whether we feel it or not, He is pleading that we will turn to Him so that He may check up on us and what our current needs are. The only person that can fulfill all of our righteous desires is our Heavenly Father, so why turn anywhere else for guidance?
So how can we let him into our lives? Here's a couple things to get you started:
1. Prayer--when you pray, thank Him for specific instances where you felt His hand in your life. This will allow you to realize all that the Father does for you. Also, try to stay kneeling for a bit after your prayer and just listen.
2. Scriptures--don't just read them to check it off of your list. Study, with pen in hand, the teachings and turn "history" into "yourstory".
Another truth that can be pulled from this passage of scriptures is that God will not only give us what we faithfully pursue with His help, but will give us a hundred-fold of blessing on top of that. Nephi asked to see the vision his father had seen, and ended up seeing it while conversing with the spirit. The spirit wouldn’t directly explain the meaning of each object in the vision, but pushed Nephi to learn for himself what it meant through a series of questions.
Sometimes when we ask for things, it may seem like what we are receiving in return is not the direct or immediate help that we needed. However, like Nephi, God is often pushing us out of our comfort zone in order for us to grow and become more like our Savior. Hate to break it to you, but comfort zones inhibit growth.
Look unto God in every question you have. He will show you the way. The way to God will rarely be easy, visible, or understood, but it will be worth it. I know that no matter how insignificant or unloved you may feel now, God cares enough about you that He has taken the time to understand every aspect of your life. Look to Him. Learn of His Son. When the spirit seems to send you a question as an answer to your prayers, think of Nephi. God only wants you to grow to the amazing person He knows you can become. We have to let the Savior in before He can facilitate this.
Sometimes when we ask for things, it may seem like what we are receiving in return is not the direct or immediate help that we needed. However, like Nephi, God is often pushing us out of our comfort zone in order for us to grow and become more like our Savior. Hate to break it to you, but comfort zones inhibit growth.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Understanding Our Personal "Isaiah's"
For those of you who have read the Old Testament, you know that Isaiah is quite the beast to tackle, rhetorically and analytically speaking. But when the understanding comes, it is one of the more beautiful and meaningful sections of the scriptures.
Pardon my language, but seeing how important Isaiah is... Why the heck did God make it so hard to understand?
Why are the Fall or the Atonement so hard to grasp if so much stress is on those topics?
Why do we have to study so hard to understand anything important in the scriptures?
...In life?
Do you grow more as an individual when you recite easily memorized facts onto a scantron and ace a piece-of-cake exam... or when you delve into hours of studying for a rigorous, essay-question test and pass with flying colors? I would argue that in this life, the experiences most beneficial to our progression are the ones most difficult to understand.
As you study the scriptures this week (or your homework or your messed up love-life), try a little harder to view the "bad" or "confusing" parts as opportunities for growth.
Here's a few tips to better allow growth to occur in any of our life experiences/situations:
1. Humble yourself--You're not the most knowledgeable on the subject you are scrutinizing and that's okay! Call upon your mentors, leaders, or all-knowing Heavenly Father to guide you through the difficulty that encircles you. Remember: Satan may attack you from all angles, but you are "encircled about eternally in the arms of [the Savior's] love" (2 Nephi 1:15). You literally have the BEST support system!
2. Ask questions-- If you rely solely on your own knowledge, learning new things is impossible. Speak up, speak out, be heard, be proud!
3. Attack the issue from a new angle-- If you want to understand something in a new way, you must look at it with a new perspective. Leave your predispositions to a class or your bias to a person behind you. Let a new countenance of curiosity and desire to learn fill your heart. You will find it hard to fill your mind with new information unless you have an open mind.
4. Step outside your comfort zone-- It's comfortable for a reason. We can't experience growth if we don't stretch outside what we already know. Grin and bear it and step into the unknown!
I hope and pray that as you encounter your own personal "Isaiah's", you don't discount the experience or shy away from it because you "don't get it". I know that as we carefully ponder our situations and look outside of ourselves (or look up) for aid, we can find the help/information we need to understand all things.
Because, when we truly understand those "Isaiah" experiences, we can look back on them as some of the most beautiful parts of our lives.
Try to see the unknown as that potential for immense beauty :)
Pardon my language, but seeing how important Isaiah is... Why the heck did God make it so hard to understand?
Why are the Fall or the Atonement so hard to grasp if so much stress is on those topics?
Why do we have to study so hard to understand anything important in the scriptures?
...In life?
Do you grow more as an individual when you recite easily memorized facts onto a scantron and ace a piece-of-cake exam... or when you delve into hours of studying for a rigorous, essay-question test and pass with flying colors? I would argue that in this life, the experiences most beneficial to our progression are the ones most difficult to understand.
As you study the scriptures this week (or your homework or your messed up love-life), try a little harder to view the "bad" or "confusing" parts as opportunities for growth.
Here's a few tips to better allow growth to occur in any of our life experiences/situations:
1. Humble yourself--You're not the most knowledgeable on the subject you are scrutinizing and that's okay! Call upon your mentors, leaders, or all-knowing Heavenly Father to guide you through the difficulty that encircles you. Remember: Satan may attack you from all angles, but you are "encircled about eternally in the arms of [the Savior's] love" (2 Nephi 1:15). You literally have the BEST support system!
2. Ask questions-- If you rely solely on your own knowledge, learning new things is impossible. Speak up, speak out, be heard, be proud!
3. Attack the issue from a new angle-- If you want to understand something in a new way, you must look at it with a new perspective. Leave your predispositions to a class or your bias to a person behind you. Let a new countenance of curiosity and desire to learn fill your heart. You will find it hard to fill your mind with new information unless you have an open mind.
4. Step outside your comfort zone-- It's comfortable for a reason. We can't experience growth if we don't stretch outside what we already know. Grin and bear it and step into the unknown!
I hope and pray that as you encounter your own personal "Isaiah's", you don't discount the experience or shy away from it because you "don't get it". I know that as we carefully ponder our situations and look outside of ourselves (or look up) for aid, we can find the help/information we need to understand all things.
Because, when we truly understand those "Isaiah" experiences, we can look back on them as some of the most beautiful parts of our lives.
Try to see the unknown as that potential for immense beauty :)
Saturday, September 26, 2015
When Life Strikes
"Life is so exciting!"
In the LDS faith, we believe one of the commandments from God to be able to grow closer to Him is to "endure to the end". Yes, endure to the end of your mortal life here on earth with joy in the journey.
Many of us convince ourselves that we are not the "endurance runners" that we are. We look at the difficult situations that arise in this life and think why me? But how can we ask that? We knew in coming to this earth that we would be tested and tried and put through hard things so that we could one day return to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ having become a better person and worthier of their presence. God commands us to go through these trials not out of spite, but out of unconditional love. When we're given a burden that seems too heavy to carry, unlike any of the manageable burdens we have carried thus far, it is God showing us that the only way back to Him is with His infinite mercy. Yes, you can ask God for help.
We can learn much from Nephi's testimony of God's grace and the atonement of Jesus Christ in 1 Nephi 3:7. It reads:
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
While you and I have never been commanded of the Lord to go retrieve scriptural plates from a wicked and powerful king (as Nephi had just been commanded in this chapter), we have all undertaken our own "mission impossible". Whether you have adapted to life as a single parent, dealt with the death of a sibling or close friend, or anything in between, it is nothing that you cannot endure with the help of God. I'm not suggesting that "God doesn't give us more that we can handle". He does just that. He purposefully gives us more than we can handle knowing that if we simply turn to Him for help, He will give it. He has prepared a way for us to accomplish things. ALL the things.
Let Him carry some of your too-heavy heart.
And when something else comes up that seems impossible to overcome? Remember that the Savior of all mankind atoned for you (you!) and all of your imperfections. Know that you can do it--but you cannot do it alone.
Life is exciting like that.
The above phrase has been my chosen mantra for the past few months. This little reminder comes to mind when going through unforeseen events--good or bad. I realize that the unpredictability of life only adds to its excitement. When we can view the world from this point of view, the failed quiz seems not so bad, the critical sibling seems forgivable, and that guy who cut you off on the freeway just made your day a bit less boring.
But what about the big stuff?
You get home after failing that quiz and you find out your parents are getting a divorce.
You go to your room after your sibling hurts your feelings and see a text from your boyfriend or best friend that borders on abuse--and is foreshadowing of the abuse s/he will soon habitually and increasingly inflict upon you.
You forget about the guy who cut you off on the freeway just before colliding with a highway barrier.
Life is full of this big stuff. What can we do when it happens? If I were asked this question on the street I may initially think "I would just cry." But after thinking and searching deeper, I know this would not be my primary method of dealing with such situations.
In the LDS faith, we believe one of the commandments from God to be able to grow closer to Him is to "endure to the end". Yes, endure to the end of your mortal life here on earth with joy in the journey.
Many of us convince ourselves that we are not the "endurance runners" that we are. We look at the difficult situations that arise in this life and think why me? But how can we ask that? We knew in coming to this earth that we would be tested and tried and put through hard things so that we could one day return to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ having become a better person and worthier of their presence. God commands us to go through these trials not out of spite, but out of unconditional love. When we're given a burden that seems too heavy to carry, unlike any of the manageable burdens we have carried thus far, it is God showing us that the only way back to Him is with His infinite mercy. Yes, you can ask God for help.
We can learn much from Nephi's testimony of God's grace and the atonement of Jesus Christ in 1 Nephi 3:7. It reads:
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
While you and I have never been commanded of the Lord to go retrieve scriptural plates from a wicked and powerful king (as Nephi had just been commanded in this chapter), we have all undertaken our own "mission impossible". Whether you have adapted to life as a single parent, dealt with the death of a sibling or close friend, or anything in between, it is nothing that you cannot endure with the help of God. I'm not suggesting that "God doesn't give us more that we can handle". He does just that. He purposefully gives us more than we can handle knowing that if we simply turn to Him for help, He will give it. He has prepared a way for us to accomplish things. ALL the things.
Let Him carry some of your too-heavy heart.
And when something else comes up that seems impossible to overcome? Remember that the Savior of all mankind atoned for you (you!) and all of your imperfections. Know that you can do it--but you cannot do it alone.
Life is exciting like that.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Post 1
Hello and Welcome!
Whether you are spiritual and searching to enrich your studies or just curious about gospel-centered topics, this blog is the place to be.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You may recognize us as the LDS Church or the "Mormon" Church. My goal is not to baptize you, though that would be wonderful! I am simply aiming to create a positive and uplifting online environment that allows for gospel conversations and discussions. Feel free to ask questions, comment, or disagree! We all have agency in this life and YOU get to decide how to use it :)
Each post will consist of a scripture-based thought, gospel topic/teaching, or even a recorded song. I love singing, and using my talent to share the gospel is something I can't pass up doing. So, yes, the songs I post will be of my own voice. (Feel free to discuss that as well... but, you know, be nice!).
No matter what you have done, no matter who you are, and no matter what you are becoming, God loves you. We all are loved by a Heavenly Father who wants to help us return to Him one day. I believe in all of you! There is no better time to start your gospel study than RIGHT NOW. And to those of you of other faiths or of my faith who simply wish to add a new perspective to your study? AWESOME. Studying any gospel is a continual process with many layers.
It says in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Thank you for gathering here with me :)
Whether you are spiritual and searching to enrich your studies or just curious about gospel-centered topics, this blog is the place to be.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You may recognize us as the LDS Church or the "Mormon" Church. My goal is not to baptize you, though that would be wonderful! I am simply aiming to create a positive and uplifting online environment that allows for gospel conversations and discussions. Feel free to ask questions, comment, or disagree! We all have agency in this life and YOU get to decide how to use it :)
Each post will consist of a scripture-based thought, gospel topic/teaching, or even a recorded song. I love singing, and using my talent to share the gospel is something I can't pass up doing. So, yes, the songs I post will be of my own voice. (Feel free to discuss that as well... but, you know, be nice!).
No matter what you have done, no matter who you are, and no matter what you are becoming, God loves you. We all are loved by a Heavenly Father who wants to help us return to Him one day. I believe in all of you! There is no better time to start your gospel study than RIGHT NOW. And to those of you of other faiths or of my faith who simply wish to add a new perspective to your study? AWESOME. Studying any gospel is a continual process with many layers.
It says in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Thank you for gathering here with me :)
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