The Living Christ

While studying The Living Christ document this week, there was a particular phrase that stood out to me: "His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth." As I thought about His vicarious gift to us, it was impressed upon me that we are also given the opportunity to give vicarious gifts to others as we perform temple ordinances for those who have died.

I love the idea that just like the Savior did a work for us that we couldn't do for ourselves, we too have the opportunity to be saviors for others as we do temple work for them that they can’t do for themselves.

I've been reading a book this week about Christmas symbols written by Brad Wilcox titled "Because of the Messiah in a Manger". He writes about how the wise men recognized the star of Bethlehem for what it was and they let it guide them to the Savior. In our day, the temple can serve the same purpose as the star. We can see temples as "holy beacons" that guide us to the Savior. Brother Wilcox goes on to write: "When Christ was on the earth, some followed Him, while others did not. Have you ever wondered whether you would have accepted Christ in His day?...If we love the temple today, we would have loved Christ in His day. If we seek to go to the temple, we would have sought to be with Christ. If we desire to learn more about the temple, we would have desired to learn more about Christ...'Our feelings about the temple are the truest indicators of our deepest feelings about Christ.'" (quote by Elder Robert E. Wells)

This new year I hope to be able to increase my temple attendance, not only to be able to give the gift of vicarious temple work to others, but also as a way to become closer to my Savior.

The Family

Two of the podcasts I listened to this week both invited the same guest onto their programs to talk about The Family: A Proclamation to the World. The name of this guest was Jenet Erickson. She is a professor of family life and religion at BYU and she had some profound insights on the proclamation and the research data that supports the principles outlined in that document.

The insights I found most enlightening were those regarding parenthood. In paragraph four of the proclamation it states: "The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force." I have to admit that I haven't always championed parenthood the way that I probably should. Parenting is hard, never-ending work that rarely gets any recognition and frankly, I'd feel like a hypocrite if I were to tell my kids "this is the best job ever" when I rarely feel that way.

But some of the things Sister Erickson said really changed my perspective on the purpose of parenting and the benefits that come from being a parent. First, she told of an analysis done by a renowned Harvard sociologist named Carle Zimmerman. He studied the rise and fall of great civilizations and what he concluded was that "the defining feature of civilizations at their peak of creativity and progress was their orientation to children, specifically the bearing and nurturing of children within families." (We need children as much as they need us) She goes on to talk about how as a culture, when we are oriented towards the development of children it forces us (as parents/adults) to become more forward thinking and pushes us to the peak of our creativity and development because we're bringing out our best on behalf of our children. Growth and development happens to us when we care about the development of those around us. And whenever we care about the development of others, we in turn, become a different kind of person.

The second thing I learned from listening to Sister Erickson was that raising children really exposes our weaknesses, which opens the door for inviting in more growth. She expressed this sentiment through a quote given by Michael Novak, a Catholic scholar, when he said: "The raising of children...brings each of us breathtaking vistas of our inadequacy... My bonds to them hold me back from many sorts of opportunities. And yet they are, I know, my liberation. They force me to be a different sort of human being in a way in which I want and need to be forced."  And Elder Robert D. Hales put it another way. Speaking to an audience of women (but it can just as easily by applied to men) during an education week address in 2008 he said "Motherhood is the ideal opportunity for lifelong learning. A mother’s learning grows as she nurtures the child in his or her development years. They are both learning and maturing together at a remarkable pace. It’s exponential, not linear. Just think of the learning process of a mother throughout the lifetime of her children. Each child brings an added dimension to her learning because their needs are so varied and far-reaching." (The Journey of Lifelong Learning)

I was also reminded that parenting is another avenue in which we become more like Jesus Christ. Having a child can be a very atonement-like experience where we suffer when they suffer and we sacrifice our wants and desires for them and in that process we learn to become more selfless. These are Christlike attributes that we can learn from parenting which can help us become more like our Savior. 

Thirteen Articles of Faith

Out of all the things I studied this week for Come, Follow Me, my favorite resource was a talk given by Elder L. Tom Perry in October 2013 (The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith). This talk clearly outlined how the Thirteen Articles of Faith can help us better understand the doctrine and principles of the gospel. Elder Perry broke them down like this…

#1-4 Explain the Godhead and the basic doctrine of Christ

        "True doctrine comes from God, the source and foundation of all truths. The teachings and                      concepts of true doctrine are found in the gospel of our Lord and Savior."

#5-6 Explain the organization and order of the priesthood 

        "It was necessary for the priesthood to be restored before the true Church of Jesus Christ could be          organized"

#7-9 Explain eternal resources in our mortal journey 

        "We are given spiritual gifts to guide us as we follow the Lord's teachings...the scriptures are                   another guide; if we read carefully the word of God, He will reveal our path back to eternal life."

#10-12 Explain sharing the gospel 

        "We learn about the gathering of Israel in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior. We are instructed that men and women are agents unto themselves, and they can either accept or reject              the word of God...Finally, we learn as we spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the earth that we must respect the governments of each nation we enter."

#13 Explains aspirational attributes 

        "All of us should aspire to embody these attributes and lead lives that exemplify them."

I like seeing the Articles of Faith grouped in a way that gives them added doctrinal depth. I also like that they are listed in an order that builds on the one before it (i.e. there is no fall without God creating Adam and because of the fall we need the atonement of Christ…)

I'm grateful that as a primary child I was asked to memorize the Articles of Faith. I've never forgotten them, but I could do a better job at understanding the importance of the doctrine and principles of the gospel that are contained in these thirteen brilliant and concise statements.

Lessons from D&C 138

Here's a few more things that I understood in a deeper way after studying D&C 137-138

1) After we die and as we wait in the spirit world for the day of our "glorious resurrection" (138:14), it will be a time "filled with joy and gladness, and rejoicing together" (138:15), but not total freedom. Even righteous spirits will still experience a form of bondage in the spirit world. Phrases such as "redemption from the bands of death" (138:16), "deliverance from the chains of death", and "liberty to the captives" (138:18) indicate that there is a lack of freedom in the spirit world. Why? Because we have been separated from our bodies! It isn't until after we've been resurrected and "the spirit and the body (are) united never again to be divided, that (we) receive a fullness of joy" (138:17).

The lesson that was reinforced to me was how grateful we need to be for our bodies. Even though we all get frustrated with some of the physical limitations that come as a result of our imperfect bodies (i.e. mental illness, chronic pain, disease, or addiction), having a body is one of our greatest earthly blessings and certainly one that we should appreciate because we will miss it (for a season) after we die.

2) 138:25-26 refers to Jesus Christs' three-year ministry while he was here on the earth, and teaches that even though He was perfectly obedient, knew all the right answers, and performed many mighty miracles, there were still only a relatively few people that listened to his message. I think this is important to remember as we evaluate our own efforts to share the gospel; even if we are as close to perfect as we can be, our perceived success should not be based off of whether or not they use their agency to accept the gospel. 

3) After Christ died and visited the spirit world, "He organized his forces and appointed messengers" to preach the gospel "to those who had died without a knowledge of the truth" (138:30-32). Those people are taught faith, repentance, and the other principles of the gospel. They are also taught about baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that it has to be done vicariously (138:33-34), which is where we become a part of their story. We form a companionship with those on the other side of the veil. As they do their part to teach, we have to do our part and perform those saving ordinances in the temple. Sharing the gospel on the earth can reach up to 8 billion people, but redeeming the dead is for billions upon billions of people! The heavens must be shouting for joy (along with us) every time a new temple is announced!

Reading and Pondering the Scriptures

A lot of truths stood out to me this week while studying D&C 137-138, but in order to make this a more reader- friendly post, I thought I’d share just one of them with you.

Section 138 teaches us two important reasons to study the scriptures…

 1) The scriptures are a portal to revelation. As President Joseph F. Smith pondered and reflected over his scriptures, the atonement of Jesus Christ, and the love of God (138:1-4), he received this amazing revelation about the redemption of the dead (D&C 138). I personally don't expect to receive any kind of revelation of that magnitude, but I hope for and expect revelation and inspiration on how to be a better wife, mother, friend, and disciple. And the Holy Ghost can inspire us in other areas of our life as well.  I love this example from Sister Julie B. Beck, former General Relief Society President, from a 2010 Women's Conference address entitled "Choose Ye This Day to Serve the Lord" that addressed the importance of daily scripture study and how it opens the pathway to personal revelation. "I have to be able to know the mind and will of God. Therefore, I have to do the things in my life that put me in a position to hear His voice. Reading the scriptures [is] an essential for me because the scriptures contain the mind and will of God, and by reading and studying from them, I can hear His voice and receive His guidance in all aspects of my life."

 2) The scriptures help us learn the doctrine and principles of the gospel. As President Joseph F. Smith was pondering and reflecting his “mind reverted to the writings of the Apostle Paul” (138:5). It’s important that we be familiar enough with the scriptures that the Lord can bring to our remembrance things we've already read as well as to direct us to those resources that will help bring more light, knowledge, understanding, and depth to our study. I have seen this happen many times in my life as I've been preparing a talk or a lesson or thinking about what I can share that would help someone in need of comfort or strength. I don't always remember the whole scripture or quote that comes to my mind, usually just a phrase or a story, but thanks to technology I can use that little bit of information to find what the Lord has inspired me to share. For example, while thinking about what to include in my blog this week, I was reminded of a discourse by Elder Richard G. Scott where he talked about the scriptures being our friends. So I searched the internet for those key terms and was able to find his talk " The Power of Scripture". That talk contains this quote: "The scriptures...can become stalwart friends that are...always available when needed. Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost."

I like to think that even though I'm not receiving personal revelation every time I study my scriptures, my consistent study of the word of God is building a large reserve of knowledge that the Holy Ghost can access when the time is right.

Being Prepared to Die

The most poignant lesson I learned this week came from an interview on the podcast "Follow Him" with Dr. S. Michael Wilcox. He taught that D&C 135 teaches us principles about how we can be ready to die whenever we are called back to our heavenly home. Here are some of the principles he taught from section 135.

-we want to die loving others, having shown loyalty in our relationships (v. 3)

-we want to die feeling “calm as a summer’s morning” (v. 4)

-we want to die having “a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men.” (v. 4)

-we want to “die innocent” (v. 4), which means we die having given our best effort in building the Kingdom of God.

-we want to die with a desire to continue serving in God's kingdom on earth (Joseph Smith papers)

-we want to die having the scriptures close to our hearts (Hyrum’s example, v. 4)

-we want to die knowing that we have been faithful regardless of whether or not people have shown charity towards us (v. 5)

-we want to die knowing that we haven’t spotted Christ’s garments with our blood (v. 5). We want to have played a part in being a solution to the world’s problems. 

-we want to die understanding the law of sacrifice (A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, Hymn 29, sung by John Taylor in Carthage Jail, at the request of Joseph Smith)

I loved reading these verses and having my eyes opened to another perspective of what it means to live; to understand that we are living our lives in such a way that we are prepared to die. He (Bro. Wilcox) also shared lessons we can learn by studying the death of Jesus Christ: He died while offering forgiveness to others, comforting others, and in obedience to His Father. What a powerful way to learn about life as we look closely at how these great men died.

Zion vs Babylon

Doctrine and Covenants 133 repeatedly refers to the Savior's second coming and teaches us how we can best prepare for that event. The most repeated admonition for this preparation is to "Go ye out from Babylon", repeated three times (vs 5,7,14) and "Go ye forth unto the land of Zion" (vs 9,12).  It’s a real challenge to be growing up and raising our families in Babylon and at the same time trying to keep our hearts in Zion. So what does getting out of Babylon and heading to Zion look like in our day?

Zion vs Babylon is another way of looking at light vs darkness or good vs evil. Babylon is the symbol of a wicked world and Zion is Christ’s kingdom here upon the earth. I liked the analogy given in the podcast "Unshaken" where the host asked a group of his seminary students to look at the tags on their clothing to see where they were made (i.e. China, Mexico, USA) and then asked them to look again, with their spiritual eyes, to see if they could discern where there clothing was made-and it can only be made in one of two places; either Babylon or Zion. 

We can do this same activity not just with our clothing but also with our choice of  music, movies, language, entertainment, literature, attitude and values. Are we allowing ourselves to be nurtured from sources that come from Babylon or from those that come from Zion? If you only have two options, which category do they fit in? Are they filled with light and truth or darkness and deceit? It’s got to be one or the other. There is no middle ground when we’re talking about the end times. We're either either choosing God or Satan (Matthew 6:24)

Each of us has the opportunity to examine what aspects of our lives are currently in Babylon. What things are making it harder for us to live the gospel? Whatever they are, we are instructed to "go ye out from Babylon" and don't look back (v 14-15). Choose to come to the land of Zion. I loved this quote by Pres. Nelson given this past October 2021 General Conference. He said: "If most of the information you get comes from social or other media, your ability to hear the whisperings of the Spirit will be diminished. If you are not also seeking the Lord through daily prayer and gospel study, you leave yourself vulnerable to philosophies that may be intriguing but are not true. Even Saints who are otherwise faithful can be derailed by the steady beat of Babylon’s band. (emphasis added) My brothers and sisters, I plead with you to make time for the Lord! Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always." (Make Time for the Lord)

As each of us puts in the effort to make time for the Lord, I know that the Holy Ghost will be able to show us what we need to do to leave Babylon behind and come more fully into Zion.

Understanding more about plural marriage

Doctrine and Covenants 132 starts off with the Lord answering one of Joseph Smith's questions: how were the Old Testament prophets Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and Solomon justified in having many wives and concubines? This question was most likely asked by Joseph back in 1831 (see section 132 heading) while he was working on the translation of the bible and after he had just translated the Book of Mormon and received revelations (also in 1831) regarding the laws of marriage (Jacob 2:27, D&C 42:22, D&C 49:16). Joseph was obviously confused about how the Lord could approve of this practice with the Old Testament prophets while at the same time revealing to Joseph the laws of marriage.

In order to answer Joseph's question, the Lord begins by revealing more information regarding the law of celestial marriage (132: 4-33). This answer seems to be giving Joseph a "big picture" understanding of the law of celestial marriage before the Lord reveals the one exception to this law that only He is authorized to make (132:35).

Not only does God have to authorize the exception to the rule (because He is the author of the rule), but there are also some other guiding principles that need to be followed...

1. ideally, you will have your wife's consent (132:34, 61)
2. this is not a "free-for-all" (132:39)
3. this is an act of worthiness, virtue and chastity (132: 40-44)
4. you have to be invited by the prophet to participate (132:48)

And what are some the reasons that God would give this commandment?

1. there has to be a restoration of all things (v. 40, 45)
2. to give Joseph and the other saints an Abrahamic test (v. 50)
3. to multiply and replenish the earth (v. 63) 
4. to help fulfill the promise of exaltation for all of God's children (v. 63)

“Plural marriage was more about spirituality than sexuality and more about religion than romance” (Jared Halverson, Unshaken Podcast). It was about faith, family, and caring as well as making sure everyone was connected to the House of Israel. It was intended to raise a faithful population of Latter-day Saints. I am a descendent of one of these first faithful men who was asked by the prophet Joseph Smith to live the law of plural marriage.  His name was Thomas Grover and he was called to be in the first high council in Nauvoo (D&C 124:132). He married his first plural wife in Nauvoo in 1844, one year after Joseph received section 132.  Learning that the commandment to practice plural marriage was only extended to a few faithful men and women of the church makes me more fully appreciate my heritage and the part my ancestors played in fulfilling this difficult commandment of God.

To learn more about plural marriage I would highly recommended listening to Unshaken D&C 132 and reading Gospel Topic Essays on Plural Marriage. I found both of these resources extremely helpful in my study of D&C 132 this week.

Enthusiasm for temple work

After studying D&C 128 this week I have a renewed energy and excitement about temple work!

This revelation/letter was written by Joseph Smith while he was in hiding from his enemies (127:1), and you would never know the frustrating circumstances he finds himself in simply by reading the exalting statements he writes at the end of his letter (128:19-25). His prose is filled with words like "joy", "gladness", "singing", and "glorious" along with multiple exclamation points! Despite his current living conditions this man is feeling optimistic and hopeful. So what is the topic that’s leading to his positive state of mind? Temple work! (128:1)

Who else do we see and hear from regularly who also exudes this striking positivity amidst a world going through frustrating circumstances and trials? President Nelson. And what do his messages focus on? The importance of temple work.

So, if we find ourselves worried, anxious and concerned about the frustrating circumstances and trials in our lives, what can we do to bring more peace and hope into our lives? Focus on the temple.

As we focus on the temple and the saving ordinances that happen within those walls, our perspective on life will be elevated to a higher level of hope and peace as well as increased understanding of God’s will and His timing in our lives.

Pres. Nelson has recently taught: "Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater. I plead with you to take a prayerful look at how you spend your time. Invest time in your future and in that of your family. If you have reasonable access to a temple, I urge you to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord—to be in His holy house—then keep that appointment with exactness and joy. I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples.” (Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints) I know that just like Joseph Smith and Pres. Nelson rejoice even amidst trials, so can we as we keep our focus on the temple. As we help in the work of binding all of God's children together he will bless us with an eternal perspective that will give us peace, hope, and joy in this life.

Two Houses

There are two houses talked about in D&C 124. The temple (v 27) and the Nauvoo House (v 60). I liked the question in the Come, Follow Me manual that asks “What impresses you about the Lord’s instructions to build a ‘house for boarding’? Ponder how these instructions apply to you and your home”.

The purpose the Lord had for the Nauvoo House can be likened to our own homes and what we can be doing within the walls of our homes to prepare those within our homes to enter the temple-either for the first time, or returning for the 100th time. These principles can be a constant focus in our homes; in our own personal Nauvoo Houses.

• let our homes be good; a delightful habitation (v 23, 60) How do we welcome people into our homes?
• let our homes be a resting-place; a place where weary travelers may find health and safety (v 23, 60). I like to think of these weary travelers as my husband and children coming home after long, hard days out in the chaos and confusion of the world. Do they find a place of healing and safety when they enter our home?
• let our homes be a place where people can contemplate the word of the Lord. (v 23, 60). Are our homes places where questions can be asked and answers found?  Is it a space where the things of heaven can be pondered?
• let our homes be a place of healthful habitation (v 24). Are we taking care of temporal needs in order to facilitate spiritual growth?
• do not allow our homes to suffer any pollution to come upon them (v 24). Are we being careful to the kinds of media we allow into our homes through our phones, computers, televisions, music and other devices?
• let our homes be a place where we can receive counsel from the watchmen upon the walls (v 61). Are we teaching the words of the prophets in our homes? Are we following their counsel?

As we do these things, the promise is that our homes shall be holy; a place where the the Lord will dwell (v 24). These promises sound a lot like the promises associated with the temple. And at a time when its harder to get to the temple on a more regular basis, it's so important that we do our best to create that temple-like atmosphere in our homes. 

Liberty Jail

What I realized this week while studying D&C 121-123 is that these three sections are excerpts from a letter that Joseph Smith wrote to the members of the church while he was imprisoned at Liberty Jail. While Joseph was enduring one of the most difficult challenges he'd ever faced, the Lord provided him with some counsel that can help all of us when we also experience challenging times in our lives. That counsel was...

peace: "My Son, peace be unto thy soul" (121:7)

perspective: "thine afflictions shall be but a small moment" (121:7)

promises: "if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high" (121:8) 

justice: "thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (121:8)

friends: "thy friends do stand by thee" (121:9)

knowledge:  "God shall give you knowledge by his Holy Spirit" (121:26)

As we take this counsel into our lives, we can more easily find hope during the hard seasons of our lives and we can try to become better because of our trials and not bitter because of them. Hardships and unfairness happen to the best of all of us. Even though Liberty Jail was not an enjoyable experience for Joseph Smith, it was a refining experience for him. And hard experiences can do the same thing for us. 

What's in a name?

By 1838, the church was in need of a fresh start. "During the final months of 1837, apostasy began to affect the Church in Kirtland. Many Latter-day Saints were disillusioned by heavy financial losses...and began to reject the Prophet's temporal and spiritual leadership. Among the dissenters were several members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Seventies, as well as the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon...as a result of this widespread apostasy and threats of violence, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received divine instructions to abandon their labors in Kirtland and flee to Far West, Missouri "(Revelations in Context) 

Once they arrived in Far West, Joseph Smith received D&C 115. In this revelation, the Lord tells Joseph Smith what the official name of the church will be. The church had been officially organized for eight years now, but up until this point there had been several different names used to identify members of the church. I like the symbolism here that when the church was eight years old it was given a new name; a fresh start; a rebirth; a new beginning. When we are eight years old we are given the opportunity to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ through our baptismal covenant. It becomes a fresh start, a rebirth, and new beginning for us. 

Not only is having a new name important, but perhaps more important is what we do with that name. In D&C 117:11, the Lord reminds Newel K. Whitney to "be a bishop...not in name (only) but in deed." This serves as a good reminder for us as well; that as we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, our deeds need to be a reflection of His name and serve as a profile of one who is a disciple of Jesus Christ. It's a good reminder that as we take upon ourselves His name then it's important that we try our best to reflect his teachings and attributes in order to give honor to His name.

Opposition in All Things

One of the podcasts I listened to this week (Unshaken Saints) pointed out that the content of Doctrine and Covenants sections 111-114 contrasts sharply with the two sections (109-110) that we studied last week. In 109-110 the saints have experienced a spiritual high with the Kirtland Temple dedication (109) and the subsequent heavenly beings that visited the temple one week after the dedication (110). But on the heels of these two spiritual experiences, we get sections 111-112 where we read about a lot of trials among the Saints with financial struggles (111) and dissention among the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (112).

The principle we can learn from this contrast is that often after coming away from spiritual experiences we are soon after confronted with feelings of fear and doubt; that after spiritual highs there will be an accompanying low--as if life (or Satan) wants to break up our spiritual momentum so we start to second guess those spiritual experiences.

I really appreciated understanding this principle more fully this week, especially after general conference. General Conference has become a spiritual high for me every six months, but within days (or even hours) after listening, I start to experience what Sister Joy D. Jones called "general conference overwhelm" and I start to doubt my capabilities of being able to follow through on all the personal revelation I received throughout the conference.  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave some wonderful advice for this when he said "I wish to encourage every one of you today regarding opposition that so often comes after enlightened decisions have been made, after moments of revelation and conviction have given us a peace and an assurance we thought we would never lose...The reminder is that we cannot sign on for a moment of such eternal significance and everlasting consequence without knowing it will be a fight—a good fight and a winning fight, but a fight nevertheless"(Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence). 

I love the thought that we need to fight back when that opposition comes; that we need to push through that opposition and have confidence in the spiritual experiences and feelings that we've had. We should not be surprised by the opposition that we face in these moments, but instead we should expect it. In that same talk Elder Holland said: "Face your doubts. Master your fears. 'Cast not away therefore your confidence.' Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you." As we trust the Lord's promise that he will "order all things for our good" (111:11), we will be blessed with the peace of mind that comes from putting the details of our lives into the hands of an omniscient Father who wants nothing more than to have us follow His son Jesus Christ so we can return to live with Them someday.

Temple Blessings

The Lord was anxious for the early Saints to build a temple because He had so many blessings that He wanted to bestow upon them. In Doctrine and Covenants sections 109 and 110 we read about these amazing blessings. These blessings can also be added to our list of  "Promises to Covenant Israel" that Pres. Nelson invited us to make last year. (Let God Prevail)

I just want to mention the blessings that stood out to me... (there are a lot more than what I've listed here)

Because of the temple...

• God's glory will rest upon us and we will feel His power in our lives (109:12-13)
• We have a way to continually grow and receive a fullness of the Holy Ghost (109:15)
• We will have a greater desire to repent (109:21)
• We will be armed with God's power (priesthood) and angels will be with us (109:22)
• We are given extra protection (109:25-28)
• Our hearts will be prepared and we will be strengthened during troublesome times (109:38)
• We can let our hearts rejoice (110:6)

During Sunday lessons I will often hear someone ask this question: "How has the temple blessed your life?"  and I always sit there and think to myself "uhhh, I should have a good answer to this question..." and yet, nothing immediately comes to my mind. I'm grateful that after studying these sections and looking for the blessings we receive by attending the temple, I now have a greater understanding of how the temple has blessed my life.

Strengthening Others

The principle of the gospel that really stood out to me this week in my Come, Follow Me study was D&C 108:7 which says "strengthen your brethren in all your conversations, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings." They key word for me in that verse is "all" (which is repeated four times).  Everything we do should have a strengthening affect on those around us. How can we do that in each of these four areas?

In all your conversations:

Conversations can take place in many different forms...verbal and non-verbal, in-person or on-line, in public or in private. Are we speaking kindly and positively about others in all these different settings? Are our comments and testimonies strengthening those around me? What about our body language? We want people leaving our presence felling better about themselves than they did before their encounter with us. 

In all your prayers:

Have you ever noticed how quiet and attentive your kids get during family prayer when you begin to pray for them (or their siblings) by name? It always feels like the Spirit in the room intensifies as we pray together as a family on behalf of one another by name and by specific situations that family members are going through. Do you pray for people by name? Including your spouse and children? Out loud so they can hear the thoughts of your heart? You should try it!

In all your exhortations:

To me, this is probably the most difficult one to master because if you know the definition of exhortation (emphatically urging someone to do something) to me it's just a fancy way of saying that "now I have to yell at you" - which never strengthens anyone. So how do we exhort and strengthen at the same time? If we want the exhortation to be strengthening, then it seems like it needs to be grounded in love (see 1 Nephi 15:25, 1 Nephi 16:4, Moroni 10:18-19, D&C 121:43) where our desire is to see that person grow and progress in order to become someone better.

In all your doings:

Just like our words, our deeds should be filled with faith, hope and charity (For the Strength of Youth booklet, pg. 20). Can you think of someone who does this? Who leaves everyone and every situation better than they found it? I think Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of someone who left every person and situation better than He found it. He did this through His conversations, His prayers, His exhortations and His doings.

No one strengthens others more than Jesus Christ does. Him strengthening us is what will help us to strengthen others (Philippines 4:13). As we put off the natural man and try to become more like Christ, this principle of strengthening others in all we do will come more naturally to us.

The Lord's way is not always our way

I've been thinking a lot about Zion's Camp this week and the lessons we can learn from that experience. One principle that keeps coming to my mind is that the Lord's way is not always our way (Isaiah 55:8-9). Those that were called to march with Zion's Camp thought that they were going to reclaim their land in Jackson County, Missouri, by force, if necessary. But it turns out that the revelation to "redeem Zion by power" (D&C 103:15) might have had a different meaning to the Lord. What if "redeeming Zion" is not referencing the place of Zion, but the people of Zion? And what if "by power" does not mean by physical power but by spiritual power? It's easy to see the double meaning in this revelation now that we're looking back and know the result of Zion's Camp and how many members were spiritually redeemed through that experience. Can we also look back on our own lives and see the Lord working in our lives in the same way?

As I thought about this question myself, an interesting experience came to my mind that I haven't ever thought about in this "Zion's Camp" context. We had four young children and lived two hours away from our extended families when my husband was called to serve in a bishopric. As the Stake President met with us to issue him the calling, the counsel that he gave to us was to not miss our local church meetings more than twice a year. I was a little taken back by this counsel. I remember feeling like that was pretty restrictive counsel to give a young family that lived so far away from home. I would ask myself "what's wrong with missing a few Sunday's a year because we're traveling or supporting other family events?" As I now look back over the past 13 years, it is more clear to me now the spiritual blessings that have come because we were obedient to that counsel. First of all, we feel more dependable and can be relied on to fulfill our Sunday commitments. Second, it set a precedence for our children-they know where we will be each Sunday. Third, it has allowed us to consistently be edified by our local leaders who are called to receive revelation for us. Fourth, it has allowed our children to be available to serve in various capacities as needed (through priesthood and/or class responsibilities). Fifth, it puts our family in an environment every Sunday where we can have spiritual experiences.

Our missionary is currently in the middle of a "Zion's Camp" experience as he struggles to understand his purpose of being a missionary--when he has yet to teach any investigator lessons! As discouraging as this can be for a missionary (and for his parents) he is learning this principle that "his way is not always the Lord's way." He is learning to exercise faith in this principle, knowing that spiritual blessings will be realized as he continues to do what  he's been asked to do.

The same is true for all of us. As we are obedient to the commandments and counsel of the Lord and our local leaders, we will be blessed in ways that the Lord sees fit to bless us.

Meet Adversity with Gratitude

My heart is heavy today as I contemplate the suffering our nation went through twenty years ago. In the years since September 11th, 2001, I've tried to distance myself from the emotions I experienced that day, but as I scrolled through my Facebook feed and saw video footage of that dreadful event, my heart started racing, my stomach cramping and my eyes watering as my mind unlocked emotions I long ago tried to bury. How fitting that my scripture study this week led me to focus on adversity and the instructions we are given to help us get through it.

The background of section 98 of the Doctrine and Covenants is filled with the stories of saints in Jackson County, Missouri experiencing immense persecution from the local people. They are being forced from their homes by mobs that destroy their homes and businesses, burn their fields, and tar and feather them. Despite this persecution the Lord tells these Saints to give thanks in everything (98:1).

This counsel, to be grateful during our trials, is contradictory to the natural man. Saying "thanks" to God while going through trials is not a natural response, but if we can train ourselves to see God's hand in our lives during the good times, then seeing God's hand in our lives during the bad times will come more naturally. 

I'm reading a book right now where this principle is very evident. It's called "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom and it's a true story about a Christian family (the ten Boom's) that lived in the Netherlands during WWII.  This family is arrested for helping to hide Jews in their home and two of the sisters (Corrie and Betsie) end up in the same concentration camp. The author describes a great deal of their suffering as well as describing the effort Betsie puts forth looking for all the ways God is blessing them. They learn to be grateful that they are not alone, they have each other, they have their miniature Bible, and their bottle of vitamins that somehow never gets confiscated. They even learn to be grateful for their flea-infested barracks because it allows them more space to pray and minister to others because the guards avoid their barracks.

Dallin H. Oaks said: "Adversity will be a constant or occasional companion for each of us throughout our lives. We cannot avoid it. The only question is how we will react to it." (Adversity) Gratitude during trials can increase our trust in God and His promise that "all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good" (98:3). As you look for and acknowledge blessings in your life, you begin to realize how much God is aware of you and is watching over you in many ways.

Temples and Homes

 In a General Conference talk given by Elder Stevensen in 2009 entitled Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples he stated that "under the definition of 'Temple' in the Bible Dictionary, we read the following: “It is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth,” followed by this insightful statement: “Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness.” For me this suggests a sacred relationship between the temple and the home. Not only can we turn the doors of our homes to the house of the Lord; we can make our homes a house of the Lord. 

While reading D&C 94-97 this week I looked for the temple building principles that the Lord was teaching these early saints and how they apply to our family as we strive to build our home. Here are a few of the principles that stood out to me...

1) It's important to have a foundation (94:1,6,12)

2) Our homes need to be dedicated to the Lord (94:6-7,12)

3) The home is a place of preparation (95:4)

4) Endow those within your walls with power from on high (95:8)

5) Our homes need to be different than those of the world (95:13)

6) In our homes we are responsible to teach both spiritual and scholarly things (95:16-17)

7) Seek diligently to remove any barriers to your family’s progression (96:8)

8) It's going to take sacrifice to build a home that can provide salvation for your family (97:12)

9) The home should be a place of thanksgiving (97:13)

10) The home is a place of instruction where we can come to understand things pertaining to the kingdom of God on earth (97:13-14)

11) We should not allow unclean things into our homes (97:15, 94:8)

In the same talk by Elder Stevenson, he challenged his listeners to take a virtual tour of their homes with spiritual eyes. He said: "Wherever your home may be and whatever its configuration, the application of eternal gospel principles within its walls is universal... Imagine that you are opening your front door and walking inside your home. What do you see, and how do you feel? Is it a place of love, peace, and refuge from the world, as is the temple? Is it clean and orderly? As you walk through the rooms of your home, do you see uplifting images which include appropriate pictures of the temple and the Savior? Is your bedroom or sleeping area a place for personal prayer? Is your gathering area or kitchen a place where food is prepared and enjoyed together, allowing uplifting conversation and family time? Are scriptures found in a room where the family can study, pray, and learn together? Can you find your personal gospel study space? Does the music you hear or the entertainment you see, online or otherwise, offend the Spirit? Is the conversation uplifting and without contention? That concludes our tour. Perhaps you, as I, found a few spots that need some “home improvement”—hopefully not an “extreme home makeover.”

I was grateful to participate in this little exercise and to have the spirit direct my thoughts to certain areas where I can do better to help make my home feel more like the temple, and I'm also grateful for the feelings of joy that came from the spirit that allowed me to rejoice in the areas where I'm doing well. Hopefully we can all follow the spiritual promptings we receive to help make our homes more like the temple.

How and What We Worship

Doctrine and Covenants section 93:19 says "I give you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what your worship." So what does section 93 teach us about how to worship and what we worship? Here's what I found...

How to worship:

• Forsake our sins (v. 1)
• Come unto Him (v. 1)
• Call on His name (v. 1)
• Obey His voice (v. 1)
• Keep His commandments (v. 1)
• Continue to progress from "grace to grace" (v. 13)
• Teach light and truth (v. 40)
• Set in order our homes (v. 43, 44)
• Be diligent and concerned at home (v. 50)
• Proclaim the gospel of salvation (v. 51)
• Obtain a knowledge of history, countries, kingdoms, and the laws of God and man (v. 53)

What we worship: 

• Jesus Christ is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world (v. 2)
• Jesus Christ is one with the Father (v. 3)
• Jesus Christ is the Word, even the messenger of salvation (v. 8)
• Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world (v. 9)
• Jesus Christ is the Spirit of truth (v. 9, 11, 26)
• Jesus Christ is the creator of worlds, mankind, and all things (v. 10)
• Jesus Christ condescended from heaven to dwell among us (v. 11)
• Jesus Christ is called the Son of God (v. 14)
• Jesus Christ is the Firstborn (v. 21)
• Jesus Christ has received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth (v. 26)

At the end of 93:19 there is a promise given to those who know how to worship and what they worship. The promise is "that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness." If Jesus Christ has already received His fulness, (v. 26) that means we are promised that we have the potential to someday be like our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Just like Christ had to grow into His fulness "grace for grace" (v. 12-13) we also have been given the capability to do the same. Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52) As we follow the example of our Savior and grow into our fulness the same way Christ did, then we are promised that we will be like Him someday. So cool!

Modern Media

The greatest lesson I learned this week in my Come, Follow Me studies came from D&C 91, a section that talks about a book called the Apocrypha.  Not only did I learn about what this book is (a book of scripture found in some versions of the bible), but more importantly, a principle contained in this revelation: look for the good and positive things that can be found in our media choices. In the previous section (90:15) we are admonished to "become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people." 

There is truth and goodness all around us in the media, but it is up to us to use the Spirit to discern what will be beneficial to us (91:5). I have been enlightened and changed by so many good books that I have read (and discussed with my book club) over the years. And I enjoy watching movies with my family that have a good, wholesome message we can talk about. I love that this section encourages and reminds us that we are to seek after "anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy." (Article of Faith #13) While it might take some extra effort to find those virtuous, lovely, or praiseworthy things in the world today, we must remember that they are there and it is worth it when we find them.

Precepts

A few years ago I read the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio. One of the characters in this book is an English teacher who gives his students a monthly precept. He explains to his students that precepts are rules of conduct (i.e. "when given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.") 

In the introduction to the Book of Mormon there is a phrase that caught my attention because I was reading Wonder. Joseph Smith wrote: "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."(emphasis added) It was an “aha” moment for me! Because I was already thinking about precepts I decided to dedicate my scripture study at that time to identifying the “rules to live by” found in the Book of Mormon. (i.e.  "live in thanksgiving daily" - Alma 34:38)

As I started looking through D&C 88 this week, the first thought that came to me was that this section is full of precepts. Here are some of the precepts I found:

• draw near unto me (v. 63)
• seek me diligently (v. 63,118)
• organize yourselves (v. 74, 119)
• prepare yourselves (v. 74, 92, 119)
• Teach diligently (v. 77, 78, 118, 122)
• Seek wisdom out of the best books (v.  118)
• listen (v. 122)
• learn to impart one to another (v. 123)
• cease to find fault one with another (v. 124)
• retire to thy bed early (probably my very favorite!) (v. 124) 

We are taught in the introduction to the Book of Mormon that as we abide by these precepts we will get nearer to God and prepare ourselves and families to live with Him again someday. As we each search the scriptures and identify more precepts, it is important that we pay attention to the ones that speak to our heart for it is likely that those are the precepts that the Spirit is urging us to make a higher priority in our lives.

Wheat and Tares

After reading D&C 85-87 this week, I really wanted to focus my studies on Section 86-the parable of the wheat and the tares.  I wanted to learn more about the deeper meanings it has to convey. I would like to share some of the insights I was taught:

1) We live in the dispensation of the fullness of times. It's not just the fullness of times for the wheat, but it's the fullness of times for the tares as well, as they are growing together. There has never been an easier time to engage in sinful behavior and the wickedness that exists in the world. But at the same time, there's never a better time to be on the earth with so many opportunities to choose good. 

2) Wheat and tares look very similar in the early stages of their growth. It's not until the wheat starts to grow its fruit that you can tell the two plants apart. The good seed (wheat) will bear fruit and its head will start to bow. The bad seed (tares) will not bear any fruit and their stalks will stand proud and tall. 

3) The gatherers are charged to go out into the field (the world) and gather the wheat from the tares. Those that are receptive to the gospel message will start on the covenant path. There is an urgency to accelerate our gathering efforts as the difference between the wheat and the tares has never been as evident as it is right now. 

4) In our own lives we have wheat and tares. Those things that are good, we need to "gather". We can allow God to "burn" the bad things from our life. The ash from the burning can then be used as nourishment for the future growth of wheat in our life, helping us to know that good things can come from bad things if we follow God's plan.

5) If we're not careful, we can spend our time consuming tares (false doctrine) and become addicted to a feeling of "this is what I need for my regular diet" and forget what it feels like to taste the wheat of the gospel that will provide lasting nourishment.

6) We live in a time when it's easier than ever for any one of us to have a voice that can be amplified through social media, and all of us are spreading seeds of information of one kind or another. What kind of seeds do we plant? Wheat, or tares? We need to be careful about the type of seeds we cast into the world. 

7) This parable shows both the justice and mercy of God. The justice comes when the tares are eventually bound together and burned. The mercy is evident when God allows the wheat to grow with the tares until the harvest is fully ripe. He gives every opportunity for the gatherers to harvest as much wheat as possible.

8) Do we have enough faith in the Lord's ability to help others change (v. 6)? We need to show faith and patience in His work. People can change and we need to use our influence to help change the tares into wheat while doing all we can to help the wheat not turn into tares. 

9) Verse 6 states "pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also." It seems to me that the wheat needs the tares in order to strengthen their faith. Opposition allows faith to grow and be strengthened.

10) Verse 7 is stated differently than in the original parable given in Matthew 13. In Matthew 13 the tares are gathered first, but in D&C 86 the wheat is gathered first. This difference is significant because in 1 Nephi 14:12 we learn that in the last days the righteous will be few in number because of the wickedness upon the earth. So if the field (world) is mostly covered in tares (wicked people) then it makes sense to gather the wheat (righteous people) first because the wheat is so outnumbered by the tares.

It can be scary trying to be wheat in a field full of tares, but I found comfort in a verse in Section 87. Verse 8 reminds us to "stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come." As the wheat is allowed to grow with the tares, there will always be peace and refuge found in holy places.

(A big thank you to these resources for sharing their insights on the parable of the wheat and the tares: Book of Mormon Central Podcast, Unshaken Saints Podcast, Don't Miss This Podcast, Follow Him Podcast,  Unlocking the Doctrine and Covenants by Ed Pinegar and Richard Allen, Parables of Jesus: The Priceless Parables by Frank Judd, Jr., The Wheat and the Tares, Friend Magazine Feb 1995)

Priesthood Power

The priesthood is not a topic I normally study but in October of 2019 when President Nelson entreated all the women of the church to study the topic of priesthood power, he suggested that we start with sections 84 and 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants.(Spiritual Treasures) As I studied D&C 84 this week, I again felt compelled to answer that call from our prophet to prayerfully study the priesthood and strive to increase my understanding of the doctrine of the priesthood.

My mind wants to go on vacation when I try to understand the doctrine of the priesthood. Trying to keep all the terminology straight (i.e. ordinances, covenants, ordination, authority, offices, keys, etc...) gets confusing to me real quick. As I tried working through all the confusion again this week, I was finally rewarded with some deeper understanding. That understanding came as I listened to a podcast called Unshaken Saints. The host shared a chart he created to help his listeners understand the differences between the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. I found this visual most helpful in increasing my understanding for the purpose behind the two priesthoods. I'll try to re-create this chart with the items that were most helpful to me.

Aaronic Priesthood	Melchizedek Priesthood
Lesser (v 26) deals with the temporal affairs of the church letter of the law (rules) (v 26)       ministering of angels (v 26, 42)   telestial to terrestial way of living elimination of sin (v 26) ordinances of preparation (v 26) change our status overcoming sins of commission justification    sacrifice      outward actions            tabernacle   Aaron (v 30)  John the Baptist (v 27)	Greater (v 19) deals with the spiritual affairs of the church spirit of the law (principles)  presence of God (v 22) terrestial to celestial way of living introduction to God (v 22) ordinances of coming into gods presence change our nature overcoming sins of omission sanctification (v 33) consecration inward attributes temple Moses (v 6)  Jesus Christ

The handbook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints states that "Through the priesthood, Heavenly Father accomplishes His work 'to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man' (Moses 1:39). God grants authority and power to His sons and daughters on earth to help carry out this work". (Handbook 3.0). I like how this chart emphasizes a way of living. It allows us to see if we are living up to our priesthood privileges or not, regardless of our gender. If we are living true and faithful to these covenants, the promises that await us are; sanctification, renewal of our bodies, becoming the seed of Abraham and the elect of God, and receiving all that the Father hath (v 33-38). Pres. Nelson adds "Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God." (Spiritual Treasures, Oct 2019). Those are some pretty powerful promises!

The Greatest Good

While studying in the Doctrine and Covenants this week, one day I happened to read a verse independent of its surrounding verses and a phrase stood out to me that I hadn't "seen" in my earlier studies. The phrase that jumped off the page was in 81:4 and it said "in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings." I was immediately intrigued to find out what "these things" were. Even though this revelation was instruction for a counselor to Joseph Smith, there is still personal application for us today. Here's what the accompanying verses say about the greatest good we can be doing:

1. Fulfilling our callings (v. 3)
2. Praying always (v. 3)
3. Teaching the gospel (v. 3)
4. Serving others (v. 5)

As I thought about these four things, the Spirit reminded me of two talks that have really helped to guide me when making decisions about how best to use my time. They are "Choose ye this day to serve the Lord" by Julie B. Beck and "Good, Better, Best" by Dallin H. Oaks. In Sister Beck's talk she shared her thoughts about a priority system that she has used in her life to help guide her in making decisions about how to prioritize her choices. The three categories are labeled as "essential, necessary, and nice-to-do." As you read through her talk, you will see that the four items listed above are also on Sister Beck's list of "essential" things to do. Elder Oaks said "Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do...we face many choices on what we will do with our time...we have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."

As we choose to use our time to do the "essential" things in life, not only will our faith in Jesus Christ be strengthened and our families fortified, but we are also promised a "crown of immortality and eternal life in the mansions...in the house of my Father." (81:6) And as an added bonus, Sister Beck acknowledged that even though "there is a lot to do, I find that it is amazing how much I get to do on my nice-to-do list. The Lord blesses us with those mercies, but only if the other priorities are in order." Our Father in Heaven loves us and will bless us with the best of both worlds; the "nice-to-do" things follow after we do those things that are "essential".

Gratitude & Happiness

As I was studying Come, Follow Me this week and contemplating a concern our missionary had just shared with us, a few verses stood out to me. As Elder Bradford has been adjusting to his missionary training schedule, he related to us that he was worried about how he was going to do this for two years. Being a missionary is hard work, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting, and he is feeling a little bit overwhelmed with the prospect of doing this for another 24 months.

After this conversation, I was reading D&C 78:18-19 and I thought it applied perfectly not only to his situation, but to any of us that feels daunted or overwhelmed with something we've been asked to do or any number of situations in life that we might be going through.

The Problem: "ye cannot bear all things now" (v. 18)

The Solution: "be of good cheer" (v. 18), "receive all things with thankfulness" (v. 19)

The Promise: "I (the Lord) will lead you along" (v. 18)

As we encounter situations that we feel we simply cannot bear, the Lord asks us to focus on two things; being happy and being grateful. But what if we can't even begin to think of how to be of good cheer? In my personal experience, sometimes its really hard to be happy when faced with extremely difficult situations. For that reason, we're also asked to be grateful. Recognizing our blessings and expressing gratitude for them can crack open the doors of happiness and help facilitate our ability to be of good cheer.

My husband and I just recently took the "Emotional Resilience" class that the church offers as one of their self-reliance courses. During this 10-week course each participant is encouraged to make a weekly goal to “write one thing I am grateful for each day and thank God for it.” This is the only goal that you are asked to repeat each week. What I understand from that is that gratitude is a basic principle that helps to lend us emotional stability.

So, as we encounter challenging situations that can feel overwhelming, we need to remember to be of good cheer, give thanks to God for our blessings and He will lead us along. I'm doing my best to follow this counsel and have felt the results in my life. Even though sending out a missionary has been something I didn't think I could bear, as I've tried to stay cheerful and think of things to be grateful for, I can testify that the Lord has been leading me and giving me strength, comfort, peace, and happiness that I didn't think that I'd feel so soon after sending off a missionary. I can testify that the Lord will fulfill His promises as we do the things He asks us to do. 

Celestial Living Now

Do you ever feel like you're just not good enough to make it to the celestial kingdom? Do you look at all the wonderful people around you and know for sure that "they're going to make it" but you're not too sure about your chances? I know I've experienced those thoughts and feelings and they can be very disheartening. But as I studied D&C 76 this week, I read these verses with a different perspective that helped me feel more confident in my standing with God.

One of the podcasts I listened to (Don't Miss This) suggested that we read these verses not as a checklist of things we have to do in order to live in the Celestial Kingdom some day, but as a guide to a celestial lifestyle right now. The celestial kingdom doesn’t have to be just a destination we are working towards that allows us happiness in the next life. Instead, the happiness and joy that is promised to those who “receive the testimony of Jesus” (v. 51) can be experienced now, in this life; celestial living can happen right here on earth. 

This section had new meaning to me when I looked at it with this perspective. Here's what we can be doing right now to live a celestial lifestyle here on earth...

• Bear record of the gospel of Jesus Christ (v. 50)
• Receive a testimony of Jesus Christ (v. 51)
• Believe on His name (v. 51)
• Be baptized (v. 51)
• Keep the commandments (v. 52)
• Be washed and cleansed from sin (v. 52)
• Receive the Holy Ghost (v. 52)
• Overcome by faith (self-mastery) (v. 53-see footnote a, v. 60)
• Receive temple covenants (His fullness) (v. 56, 94)
• Hold the Melchizedek Priesthood (men) (v. 57)
• Glory in God (v. 61, 93)
• Use the Atonement of Jesus Christ to become perfect (v. 69)
• Receive His grace (v. 94)

After looking over this list, hopefully you feel a little more confident about your standing with God, not only in the eternal sense, but right now. And perhaps this will give you confidence as you understand that your current lifestyle is more celestial than you previously thought👼

Share the Gospel

My oldest son just started his virtual MTC training from home this week, so my mind and heart were extra aware of the principles of missionary work that were shared in this weeks study of Come, Follow Me (D&C 71-75). The following are a list of principles related to sharing the gospel that I found in these sections...

• 71:1 The way to combat darkness is to introduce light. Share the good news of the gospel.
• 71:2 Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints need to be taught just as much as those who have not yet been baptized.
• 71:9 Truth will always prevail.
• 73:4 When your full-time mission service is over, continue to make room in your life for sharing the gospel. 
• 75:2 Take some personal initiative to get involved in sharing the gospel (see footnote a).
• 75:3, 29 Be diligent in our efforts to share the gospel.
• 75:10, 27 Always involve the Holy Ghost in our teaching and finding efforts.
• 75:11 Pray for courage.
• 75:24 As members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, it is our duty to support the efforts of missionary work in whatever ways we can.

As with all principles of the gospel, as we act on these principles we are promised blessings in return for our faithfulness. Here's a list of blessings that I found in Section 75 that relate to sharing the gospel...

• You shall be crowned with honor, glory and eternal life. (75:5)
• The Lord will be with you to the end. (75:11, 13)
• You shall be filled with joy and gladness. (75:21)
• You shall overcome all things and be lifted up at the last day. (75:22)

For some of us, sharing the gospel can be a daunting responsibility. Because I often feel that way, I found this article by President Uchtdorf (A Word for the Hesitant Missionary) very enlightening. He shares four suggestions that can help us fulfill the charge to preach the gospel to all the world. My favorite suggestion is to "Be a Light." He said: “A favorite saying of mine often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi reads, ‘Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.’” It is a comfort for me to know that just because I get tongue-tied when I'm trying to teach the gospel or share my testimony with someone, that doesn't mean that I'm a failure. We can share the gospel just by consistently living our standards. As people see our happiness and joy they will occasionally approach us with questions about where our happiness and positive attitude come from.

Pres. Uchtdorf concludes the article by saying "There is a way for everyone-even the hesitant missionary-to participate in this great work. We can each find a way to use our own particular talents and interests in support of the great work of filling the world with light and truth." What a blessing it is to know that there are many different ways to share the gospel. We don't need to compare our method of sharing the gospel to how someone else shares the gospel because the gifts and talents that we’ve each been blessed with will lead to different approaches to missionary work.

True and Faithful Friends

I read a quote last Sunday by Elder Neil L. Andersen that gave me pause to think. The quote was in a Church News article report about a recent Single Adult Face to Face event. He said "We really do have to find other people of faith, don't we? In this world [in which] we live, [we need] other people of faith, who we can connect with at a very deep level, and talk openly about how our prayers are answered, [and] how we feel about the Holy Ghost." That support is "one of the beauties of gathering together as Saints in the gospel" added Sister Jean B. Bingham.

This idea really struck me and I was reminded of it again as I studied D&C 69 this week. In this revelation Oliver Cowdery is called to "carry the manuscript of the compiled revelations and commandments to Independence, Missouri, for printing. He was also to take with him money that had been contributed for the building up of the Church." (see Section 69 heading) But the Lord also instructs in this revelation that Oliver be given a companion to go with him on his journey.

The personal application for me was seeing that the Lord puts "true and faithful" (v. 1) people in our lives that help us on our journey here in mortality. Some of these people are with us for only a short amount of time (think of childhood friends, missionary companions or people we’re called to serve with in the church). Other people will be more long term (like parents, siblings and spouses). The companion that was assigned to go with Oliver was John Whitmer (v. 2) and not only was John to help Oliver but Oliver was supposed to "counsel and [give] assistance" (v. 4) to John with his responsibility to be writing church history. So not only does the Lord put people in our lives to help us, but the Lord also puts us in other peoples lives to help them too. There’s a Quaker proverb that describes this kind of symbiotic relationship: "Thee lift me and I'll lift thee and we'll ascend together."

The Lord will put people in our paths to help us on our journey, but we also should choose to surround ourselves with others that are "true and faithful." These people can help shield us from temptation and outside influences. They can help us stay safe on our journey. At my son's recent High School graduation one of the speakers quoted a famous study by a businessman named Jim Rohn. The study concluded that "you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."  My take away from that quote is that we are greatly influenced by those we surround ourselves with.

Think about who your greatest influencers are? Who do you spend the most time with? Thinking of these questions brought me back to Elder Andersen's quote and the idea that we need other people of faith that we can connect with at a deep level. These are true and faithful friends and family members that can influence us in a deeply spiritual way, and that we can also share our feelings with. As I continued to think about who my greatest influencers were, the Spirit whispered to me "is Jesus Christ one of your greatest influences? Is He someone you spend a lot of time with?" 

As we think about the true and faithful people that the Lord has placed in our lives, hopefully we realize that the greatest person we can choose to have influence in our lives is our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness and Mercy

My biggest Come, Follow Me insight this week came while listening to the Podcast called "Follow Him". The guest on the program, S. Michael Wilcox, talked about the phrase found in D&C 64:6, 8 that says "sought occasion against him/one another".  He asked some critical questions about this phrase. Questions like "do I seek occasions to be critical and find faults and weaknesses in others in order to feel better about myself? Am I looking for the motes in other peoples eyes and not seeing the beam in my own? (Matt 7:1-5). An example of this is when Mary (Lazarus's sister) anoints Christs' feet with an expensive spice. Upon witnessing this act, Judas becomes outraged feeling like Mary wasted money by using this ointment on Christs' feet instead of selling it and giving the money to the poor (John 12:3-5). Judas was seeking occasion to find fault in someone else and to make his idea look better. He "condemned for evil that thing in which there was no evil", and when we do that the Lord withholds His Spirit from us (D&C 64:16). Do we condemn people for doing things a different way just because its not the way we would do them?

Falling into this trap can destroy the concept of a Zion people. Zion is a place where the people are of one heart and one mind and if we're constantly "seeking occasion against others" that behavior is going to separate us from others instead of binding us together.

What is the remedy for this type of behavior? One thing that will help is to cultivate the Christlike attribute of forgiveness. Section 64 teaches the necessary steps:

1. Confess/acknowledge our shortcomings (v. 7)
2. Ask to be forgiven (v. 7)
3. Extend forgiveness to others (v. 9-10)

The natural man reacts to sin with outrage and intolerance, but Jesus Christ reacts to sin by first extending an offer of forgiveness and mercy. Christlike behavior is to give others the benefit of the doubt. It is to celebrate the good that people do and forgive their imperfect moments. If Christ can do that for us then we can strive to do the same for others. Our efforts to shed the natural man will help us become more like Christ who "delights in mercy and does not begrudge its use." (Elder Renlund)

Miracles come by Faith

As I read D&C 63 this week, I was struck by the two principles taught in verse 9: "faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe." 

Faith cometh not by signs: there are several examples of this principle in the scriptures. My favorite is the story of Lehi's sons being visited by an angel.  After several failed attempts to retrieve the brass plates, an angel appears to the four brothers and affirms that the Lord will help them in their efforts. But even after seeing an angel, Laman and Lemuel still lack the faith to believe that that is possible (1 Nephi 3:29-31).

Signs follow those who believe: stories representing this principle abound in the New Testament. My favorite is about the woman with the issue of blood being healed simply by touching the hem of Christ's clothing. Because of her faith, she was blessed with the miracle of being healed (Luke 8:43-48).

Those who seek signs for proof of God's existence and involvement in their lives are "lazy learners and lax disciples." It takes work and effort to increase our faith, but we will see miracles as we increase our faith in the Lord. (Pres. Nelson, Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains)

Elder Rasband stated in his last General Conference talk: "Many of you have witnessed miracles, more than you realize. They may seem small in comparison to Jesus raising the dead. But the magnitude does not distinguish a miracle, only that it came from God." (emphasis added). As we continue to increase our faith in Jesus Christ, we will be blessed to witness miracles in our lives, both big and small. "For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them." (Ether 12:12)

Journey Speedily but not in Haste

I would like to share a short lesson that stood out to me this week while studying Come, Follow Me. In D&C 60: 5, 8, and 14 the Lord instructs the pairs of missionaries to leave Missouri and return to Ohio. Twice He tells them to "return speedily" but "not in haste." So how do you find the right balance between these two seemingly contradictory directives?  

While listening to the podcast "Unshaken Saints", the host gave a wonderful example of how Jesus was able to do this exact thing. He pointed out that in Mark 5:22-43, Jesus has been called on a "911 emergency call" by Jairus to come heal his daughter who is on her death bed. But, as Jesus is rushing to help this little girl, a "certain women which had an issue of blood" (v. 25) reaches out and touches His clothes. In the midst of His hurry to heal Jairus' daughter, He stops to bless and minister to this woman. He says to her "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague" (v. 34).

The lesson I learned from this is to not be so focused on the end goal that we don't take some time to help others or to enjoy the journey along the way. Even though Christ was being crowded by people on His way to heal Jairus's daughter, he felt something different happen to Him when His clothes were touched by this woman. He felt that "virtue had gone out of him" (v 30). It is important to stay in tune with the Spirit so that when a multitude of good things are coming our way, we can know which of those thing is important enough for us to slow down and heed the direction that we are given.

Building Zion

I thought it was interesting learning about the background of Doctrine and Covenants sections 58 & 59. The Lord had asked all of these new members to relocate to Independence, Missouri which He refers to as "the land of promise" (D&C 57:1-3). But as the Saints start arriving to this "land of promise", they aren't very impressed with what they find. "Some thought they would find a thriving, industrious community with a strong group of Saints. Instead they found a sparsely populated outpost, lacking the civilization they were used to and inhabited by rough frontier settlers rather than Saints." (Come, Follow Me manual pg. 92). I'm sure all of us can think of similar experiences we've had when our expectations go unmet that can help us relate to the early Saints during this part of their history. One of those moments for me happened when Brady and I moved into our first family ward. I was looking forward to seeing lots of families in Sacrament meeting and a large primary and youth program (our oldest was a new Sunbeam and living far from family I was excited to meet some young women who could be potential babysitters:). Essentially, I was expecting to attend a ward just like the one I'd grown up in. I was shocked when we walked into that chapel for the first time and it was occupied by a few young families and some senior couples. When we started singing the opening hymn, I felt like I was singing a solo! The primary consisted of about 15 children and I only remember seeing three young women. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed.

No matter what unexpected situations we find ourselves in, the Lord still expects us to move forward and build Zion. One way we can do this is to practice becoming Zion-like individuals (people of one heart and one mind-Moses 7:18).  These two sections give us some ways that we can do this.

• keep the commandments/be obedient (58:2,6)
• be faithful in tribulation (58:2)
• bear testimony (58:6, 47)
• keep the laws of the land (58:21)
• be anxiously engaged in a good cause (58:27)
• repent (58:42)
• work and labor both to gather Israel and bring life to the land (58:54-56)
• love God and your neighbors (59:5-6)
• show gratitude (59:7)
• broken heart and contrite spirit (59:8)
• keep the sabbath day holy (59:9-13)

These early Saints were "honored in the laying the foundation" of the church (57:7), but we can also lay foundations of faith and help build up Zion one person at a time. We start with ourselves and then over time we will have opportunities within our sphere of influence to help others as well. We only lived in that family ward for two months, but we have some sweet memories and lasting connections from the time we spent there. Building Zion starts with building that feeling in our homes, wards and stakes and we can only do that if we're willing to become Zion-like individuals.

Bloom where you’re planted—even if only for a little season

A wonderful principle of the gospel is taught in these sections (51-57) of the Doctrine and Covenants that I like to call “Bloom where you are planted.”

There seems to be a lot of movement going on in these sections. Saints migrating from the eastern states are beginning to arrive in Ohio (section 51). Missionaries are being sent out to preach the gospel while traveling to Missouri (section 52, 56) and some of the Saints who just got to Ohio are now being commanded to relocate to Missouri (section 54, 57).

In 51:16-17, the Lord tells the Saints (and us) that even if we are placed somewhere “for a little season” we should still “act upon (that) land as if for years.” In other words, make a difference no matter how short or how long you are going to be somewhere. Bloom where you are planted. Not only does this principle apply to our physical location (the land which we live), but it can apply in other settings such as in our church callings or even in any stage of life. 

A good example of this principle is Sidney Gilbert (section 53). In section 52 the Lord is calling all these sets of missionaries to go out and preach the gospel as they journey to Missouri, but Sidney Gilbert doesn’t receive an assignment. So what does he do? He doesn’t go hide out and breathe a sigh of relief like he just dodged a bullet. He asked Joseph Smith to ask the Lord what his assignment should be. He wanted to contribute to the work and make a difference. 

This can be hard to do, especially when you get a new calling that you don’t feel prepared for or when you’re a college student moving around every few months or even in a seminary class where you don’t know anybody. No matter what the circumstances are, the Lord expects us to get involved and do our best to make a difference.

Why is this principle important to the Lord? If you look in section 57, you’ll find the word plant/planted used five times. Just like planting any flower or tree, you won’t see the full beauty or fruit of that plant unless you take it out of its pot and plant it in the soil where it has room to grow. The same is true for our spiritual growth. The only way we’re going to see growth in ourselves is to plant ourselves firmly in whatever situation we are in-even if it’s only for a little season. That’s when the fruit will come.

True Manifestations of the Holy Ghost

This week, one of the prompts in the Come, Follow Me manual asked us to look throughout D&C 50 for principles that help us understand how to recognize true manifestations of the Holy Ghost. My favorite principle was found in verses 23-25: If something fills us with more light then it comes from God. This principle reminded me of a quote by Parley P. Pratt that I heard a couple of years ago that was shared at one of my Stake Conferences. Since then, I've seen it quoted in lots of other talks:

"The gift of the Holy Spirit...quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being."

As we allow ourselves to be guided and directed by the Holy Ghost, then we will continue to receive more light. That light can (and will!) grow brighter and continue to enlighten our minds and give us more understanding and knowledge. 

 

A Pattern for Conducting our Lives

As I studied this weeks' sections of Come, Follow Me, the principle that really stood out to me was in Section 46:2. In answer to the question of "how should we conduct our meetings?", the Lord gives the answer that it should be a combination of using "those things which are written" and "directed and guided by the Holy Spirit."

In the podcast “Book of Mormon Central”, the host cited an analogy of this principle that was given by Elder and Sister Renlund in their book "The Melchizedek Priesthood".  In this book they give an analogy of how to administer things in the church. The analogy is this: picture in your mind a playing field (like for soccer or basketball). The boundaries of this playing field represent "those things which are written" (v 2). Those boundaries are the scriptures, words of the living prophets, the church handbook of instruction and direction from your local leaders. Those things that happen in the middle of the playing field are "directed and guided by the Holy Spirit" (v 2). 

An example of this process is given within the next few verses of section 46. In verses 3-6 the Lord gives very specific instruction on who can come to public meetings (boundaries), but in verse 7 the Lord also instructs them to  "ask of God, who giveth liberally" (playing field).  So you end up having a lot of freedom to navigate and find good solutions to your problems by striking a balance between the written words and the guidance of the Spirit.

As we work to implement this pattern, verse 7 also gives us some promised blessings. It says that "ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of the devil, or commandments of men." What a blessing to know that as we strive to obey the written words and be guided by the Holy Ghost that we will be blessed with the gift of discernment to know and follow what comes from God.

Principle of Preparation

Doctrine and Covenants 45 is filled with prophetic signs we can look for as we anticipate the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. There are both positive and negative signs that are given for us to look for. We are living in a day when there has never been so much evil and so much good in the world at the same time. As we witness the prophecies of wars, the earth being in commotion, and desolating sicknesses covering the earth (v 26-31) we are also seeing missionaries leave at a younger age, the introduction of Come, Follow Me, and 20 temples announced in one General Conference!

In the closing verses of section 45 the Lord reminds us of the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25. I think the placement of this parable at the end of this section is significant. After being told what calamities and blessings will be upon the earth, we are reminded that our responsibility is to make sure we are spiritually prepared all of the time. How do we know if we have spiritually prepared ourselves enough to be ready when those wedding doors open for us? Verse 57 gives us some insight on what a wise virgin would look like.

They that are wise have...

• received the truth
• taken the Holy Spirit as their guide
• not been deceived

And when you are counted as one of the wise, you receive certain promised blessings...

• you shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire (v 57)
• you shall abide the day (v 57)
• the earth shall be your inheritance (v 58)
• you shall wax strong (v 58)
• your children shall grow up without sin (v 58)
• the Lord will be in your midst (v 59)
• His glory shall be upon you (v 59)

Signs are intended to help prepare us for what lies ahead. Just think of different traffic signs; a stop sign, a speed limit sign, an exit sign.  All these signs help prepare us to know what to expect on the roads and to be able to drive safely and confidently. The signs of the second coming work the same way. As we see these signs we are being made aware of what's ahead and how to prepare to navigate safely and confidently through this life. “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” (D&C 38:31). 

Teach the Principles of my Gospel

This past week I studied Elder Bednar's most recent general conference talk entitled The Principles of my Gospel.  I noticed that the title of his talk was based on a scripture found in the Come, Follow Me study for this week. D&C 42:12 states "And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fullness of my gospel." The Come, Follow Me manual also suggested to search these sections (41-44) for some of the principles that the Lord uses to guide His church. Here's a list of principles that I found:

• Principle of hearken and hear the Lord (41:1, 43:1,17)
• Principle of assembling together (41:2, 43:8)
• Principle of urgency (41:4, 43:17-18)
• Principle of fulfilling commitments (41:5)
• Principle of missionary work (42: 4-9, 11-17, 56-58)
• Principle of order (42:11)
• Principle of teaching (42:12-15)
• Principle of controlling our behaviors (42: 18-29)
• Principle of consecration/caring for the poor (42: 30-35)
• Principle of stewardship (42:32, 70)
• Principle of simplicity (42:40)
• Principle of work/self-reliance (42:42)
• Principle of faith in the healing process (42: 43-52)
• Principle of unity (42:45)
• Principle of receiving personal revelation (42:61,68)
• Principle of obedience to laws (42:79-87, 43:35)
• Principle of reconciliation (42:88)
• Principle of prophets receiving revelation for the church (43:2-7)
• Principle of instructing and edifying each other (43:8)
• Principle of sanctification (43:11, 16)
• Principle of repentance (43:11, 21-22)
• Principle of teaching by the Spirit (43:15)
• Principle of preparation (43:20)
• Principle of compassion (44:6)

Joseph Smith said "I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves." It's empowering to know that as we teach correct principles the Spirit can then guide and direct individuals through personal revelation. We can act on this revelation to change and make improvements that the Lord would have us make. Additionally, as we understand that everyone can receive revelation about the changes they need to make in their own lives, we learn to be less judgmental. We don't need to compare the changes that we are making to what others are doing. We can trust that everyone is governing themselves according to the principles they've been taught and how the Spirit is inspiring them to live.

Doctrine of Gathering

As I was preparing for General Conference a few weeks ago, I read an article by Elder Bednar in the Church News (Learn Elder Bednar's pattern for studying conference messages). In this article he talked about one way we can study the general conference messages every six months. He said, “the basic pattern is to identify the fundamental doctrine or principle that is being taught, find invitations to act related to that doctrine or principle, and then also recognize the promised blessings that will come as we act in accordance with that invitation.” By following this counsel, I've been able to see how the Come, Follow Me study program has been organized to help us find and study these patterns.

While reading D&C 37-40 this week, one of the principles that was emphasized was that of gathering. The commandment/invitation that was given to the saints was to move to Ohio (37:3). Section 38 contains the following blessings related to gathering:

• strength (v. 15)
• confidence (v. 15)
• greater blessings (v. 17)
• learn how to be one (v. 27)
• safety and protection from the enemy (v. 28-31)
• receive God's law (v. 32)
• endowed with power from on high (v. 32)

As I looked over that list I realized that as we follow the latter-day commandment/invitation to gather people together in our stakes, wards, branches, homes and temples, we also are given these same promised blessings which are invariably much greater in scope than what we are asked to do.