Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
“Seek, and Ye Shall Find” Matthew 7:7
This scripture is important to me (see my blog of 8/30/11). It rings true in varied circumstances, it is repeated throughout the scriptures, and it is related to other scriptures.
Often accompanying these words are words such as “Ask, and it shall be given you.” To the seeker of truth it promises answers. It’s the attitude that if we diligently strive and make a sincere effort to discover truth, then God will reward us with an answer.
Some other verses for the seeker of truth:
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
Jesus The Very Thought of Thee
The history behind "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee": Born in A.D. 1090, Bernard of Fontaine, who originally wrote the words of this hymn in Latin, had all the advantages of high birth and became a boy of graceful manners and elegance of expression. His mother taught him to believe in Christ, and he lived as an ascetic, with great zeal for Christ. Bernard later became known as Bernard of Clairvaux, a name taken from the first monastery he founded. Martin Luther, 400 years later, called him "the best monk that ever lived, whom I admire beyond all the rest put together." "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee" was translated from Latin to English by Edward Caswall. John Bacchus Dykes composed the tune. This program includes contemporary renditions of the hymn by the following artists: Greg Hansen, Michael Dowdle, Lex de Azevedo, Meredith Campbell, Kay Hicks Ward, Kenneth Cope, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
I Thank Thee God for the Priesthood on the Earth
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Christ Ordaining the Twelve Apostles, by Harry Anderson © IRI |
Our Heavenly Father delegates His priesthood power to men which enables them to act in God’s name for the salvation of mankind. It is both a blessing and duty to serve God and our fellow man. “The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.” (See http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/121?lang=eng ). I am grateful for the Priesthood on the earth and the opportunity to act in God’s name!
For a recent talk by our prophet regarding the Priesthood, go to http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/dare-to-stand-alone?lang=eng
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Jesus at the Door
Jesus at the Door, by Del Parson, © IRI
Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me. " (Revelation 3:20). I like the symbology that we have to be listening and then take action to let Jesus in. Throughout the Scriptures the phrase "hearken and obey" is used to signify both respectful listening and following the counsel given. D&C 1:1 states "Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together."
Jesus wants everyone to believe in Him and receive His blessings. "And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22). We must hearken and obey. He is ready and waiting to help everyone. He gives people the opportunity to learn about Him and accept His teachings. Those who have faith in Jesus can open the door to Him by repenting, being baptized, and living righteously. Faithful followers will receive the great blessing of life eternal.
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Summary
Jesus stands at the door ready to help us, but we need to invite Him into our lives. By having faith in Him, repenting, being baptized, and following His commandments, we open the door to the great blessing of eternal life with Him and Heavenly Father.
Artist, Del Parson
© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Peace through the Atonement - Allowing Grace to Save Me
I was so angry this morning. I have allergies that can make me miserable at times. A well-meaning family member washed both my bed sheets and pajamas, and in the process exposed these items to products designed to “freshen” and “soften” the material that was in contact with my body all last night. I wound-up with itchy-watery eyes, a stuffy nose, and itching all over. As if the physical symptoms were not bad enough, I had to compound the agony by allowing myself to be filled with anger over the matter. Fortunately, everyone else is asleep when I am up in the wee hours of the morning, and they weren’t exposed to my uncontrolled emotions. Even more fortunate, I was able to bow myself down in prayer, thank Heavenly Father for the individuals in my family, focus on the atonement of Jesus Christ, and request that this burden of anger and uncontrolled emotion be lifted from me. A peace settled into my soul. I learned before arising from prayer, that I need to express my love to this family member and be thankful for all her kind efforts. I am so grateful for the atonement and the miracle of forgiveness. I know we can have peace in this life through the grace of Jesus Christ.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Fasting, a Principle of the Gospel
"Since the time of Adam, God’s people have fasted to help
them draw near to Him and to worship Him. Jesus showed the importance of
fasting by His own example (see Luke 4:1–4)... The
Savior taught us that purposeful fasting is more than just going without food
and drink. We must also concentrate on spiritual matters." Gospel Principles chapter 25.
The Lord states in Isaiah, “Is not this the fast that I have
chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let
the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isaiah
58:6).
I
have a testimony of fasting. I have had the bands of wickedness
loosened, had heavy burdens lifted, been empowered to break that which I have
been yoked with and set free. How has this happened? How
did I gain this testimony?
This
is what I’ve learned through several decades of fasting. First, fast
with a purpose. Second, prepare in advance of the fast if
possible. Third, pray earnestly. Fourth, endure well the
fast with gratitude and service.
Fasting
without a purpose is simply the act of going hungry. Purposes can be
as simple as expressing thanks for what we’ve been given or as difficult as
pleading for a remission of sins. I have fasted for myself, family,
friends, and those affected by disasters throughout the world. I
have fasted as various situations unfolded. I also strive to fast at
least once a month, and I prayerfully consider my purpose leading-up to the
time of fasting.
I
not only prepare by having a purpose, but I try to assure that I have at least
24 hours in which I can commit my time and energy to fasting. I try
not to have physically exhausting work planned that might necessitate hydration
or other sustenance. I do not schedule myself to attend certain
social events that would distract from my fasting. I plan going
without food and drink for a minimum of two meals. For example if
I am fasting from 5 p.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday, then I would schedule my
evening meal on Saturday prior to the time I start my fast and schedule my only
meal on Sunday after the time I finish my fast. This enables me
to miss breakfast and lunch on Sunday while enjoying a full 24 hour
fast. Prayerful preparation is essential to fasting.
Prayer
is how we commune with God. I start and end my fast with a prayer
and strive to be drawn-out in prayer throughout my fast. I focus on
the reason I am fasting and pray for insights and answers. I listen
to uplifting music, sing, study the scriptures, and serve others. I
sincerely desire that the bands of wickedness be loosened, that heavy burdens
be lifted, that I be empowered to break that with which I have been yoked with
and to be set free. I have overcome addictions, received personal
revelation, and been given strength to do what is right.
I
have received peace and comfort during trials, had extreme burdens lifted, and
had loved ones given protection. One example happened in 1991 while
attending school. The safety of my family was in
jeopardy. I knew we had to move from the apartment that we were in,
but I did not have the finances to pay for another place. I started
fasting at the beginning of the weekend. By late Monday afternoon,
after a full day of school, I knelt down to finish my fast without any clear
answer or insight of what I should do. I told Father that I knew I
should not go into debt, but I could see no other solution to our
problem. When I arrived home, there was a message to call a real
estate agent.
I
had forgotten that I had put in a bid on a house that was being auctioned-off
several months earlier. I wasn’t even sure why I bid on the house,
because I only bid what I knew I could afford to pay for a mortgage -- the same
amount I was paying for rent on a very meager apartment in a very poor section
of the city. The winning bid was twice what I bid, and there were
several other bids higher than mine. The Real Estate agent told me
the couple who had won the bid had come-in to the closing earlier that day and
said they no longer wanted the house. This was after they had paid
all the various fees required prior to closing. The Real Estate
agent said they forfeited all the money and left his office. He then
started calling the bidders on the list in order from the highest bidder on
down and could not find one correct phone number until he got down to my name
on the list. He asked if I still wanted the house for my original
bid. I explained to him our situation and told him he was an answer
to our prayers. I explained that we needed to vacate our apartment that
evening. He gave me the combination to the lock which had the keys
to the house and we moved in that evening.
As
I look back on this incredible story, I now see how impossible it all
sounds. But I lived it, I endured it, and I know it’s
true. Enduring well is a key to fasting. It helps me to
remember, “… there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the
heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and
things to be acted upon.” (2 Nephi
2:14). I strive to have an attitude of gratitude for all
that I have. When I feel hungry, I pray again about the purpose of
my fast. Studying the scriptures gives me new
insights. Serving others helps me to be more Christ-like.
In
the above example, the real estate agent was an angel divinely guided to help
me and my family in our time of need. We too can be Christ’s
servants by helping others with their needs. We can feed the hungry,
give drink to those who thirst, assist strangers, clothe the naked, and visit
the sick and those who are in prison or otherwise inflicted (see Matthew 25). My
fasting rarely lasts more than 24 hours, but occasionally I feel inspired to
continue longer. I am grateful for the principle of
fasting. Through fasting we can be blessed as we bless the lives of
others!
Link to a second witness about fasting: http://lds.org/ensign/2009/04/fasting-with-power?lang=eng
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