I had this post almost all composed and then it just disappeared! I know it sometimes automatically saves, but not this time. Perhaps that meant that I shouldn't have posted what was written, and I have been given another change to make it better. I hope that is what I am able to do.
We had a very touching lesson in Relief Society today. Since it was the 4th week our lesson was taken from the most recent General Conference issue of the Ensign, which is November 2011. The talk was given by Elder Carl B. Cook entitled "It Is Better to Look Up." You can find it on page 33.
I remember hearing this talk. He started out with a personal experience. Elder Cook was in the elevator in the Church Administration building and was looking down at the floor when the elevator stopped. He knew someone stepped on to the elevator and heart the person say "What are you looking at down there?" He recognized the voice as President Monson, so he quickly looked up. President Monson gently reminded him that it is better to "Look Up."
How many times do we forget this simple act? It is so easy to lose focus on what is truly important. We each have so many things going on in our lives, thing that weigh us down and cause us to loose focus. But as Elder Cook reminds us, by looking up to God we can redirect our focus to be healed and strengthened through Christ. In doing so, we will not "feel incapable of doing what we are called to do, or need to do. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy....The Lord will help us. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction."
In Alma we read: "O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting abut your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful...Then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, .."
He ends with his testimony that "We are Heavenly Father's children. He wants to be a part of our lives, to bless us, and to help us. He will heal our wounds, dry our tears, and help us along our path to return to His presence. As we look to Him, He will lead us. ......Our burdens are lightened as we look to Christ, "Let us remember him...and not hang down our heads. (2 Nephi 10:20) for, as President Monson said, "It is better to look up."
With all the trials we are each asked to walk through, no matter how righteous our desires, how blessed we are, no matter what our wishes and hopes are, we have to remember that He knows each of us, not just us but everyone. He knows what is best for everyone. We just have to trust that we can learn for ourselves that He is in control. We need to remember to look up to see what He would have us do.
We were never promised that it would be easy. As simple as it sounds, it isn't easy. It wasn't easy for the Children of Israel to raise up their eyes and look at the serpent on the rod that Moses raised, even though they had been told that if they looked they would be saved. It wasn't easy, and many didn't do so. Those who looked were saved, and those who didn't were destroyed. We might not be 'destroyed' if we don't look up, but by going to church each week and partaking of the sacrament we are promised to 'have His spirit to be with us." That is a form of looking up. That will help us to focus on what is important. And even through it isn't easy, we can do it a bit at a time. Then, after we look to Him, He will be able to show us the blessings he has in store for us. Sometimes He sees the heartbreak that our wishes would cause us, sometimes He sees the blessings others needs from our actions, or the blessings we can give by service to others. But no matter what, He knows what is best for each of us. We just have to have the faith that He will do what is best. One sure way to show that faith is to "Look Up".
Showing posts with label Book of Mormon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book of Mormon. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A New Year
If today is any indication of what the new year will be, it must be a great one! What a wonderful way to start out the year for me. I realize that not everyone is starting out the year with happiness and good things going on, but I sure did need the jump-start I got today.
First of all, we had a later church, so I didn't have to get up at my usual waking time to be to church by 9:00. I actually slept until about 7:30, when just did not much until time to get ready for church. We always leave for church about one-half hour before it is time for the meeting to start, at least that is our goal. I am usually at the organ and I like to be playing before people start coming into the chapel. And Garth has the calling to be an usher so he likes to be at his post early, so 10:30 was the time we wanted to go out the door. At almost 10:00 I was in the process of getting the final touches on myself when I realized we should have been listening to The Spoken Word while we were getting ready. I quickly turned on the TV and listened to the last song. Then we just kept watching as the next show came on. It was a new show to us, since we have been in church by this time during the past year. It is called Mormon Times and is hosted by Michelle King. She had a guest author on who was speaking about her book. I was sold on it as soon as she started to speak. It is called "Live Life...and See Good Days". She told that in her book she has 12 ways to see the good in every day, but today she focused on just three. She was full of scriptures that helped her make her points. Oh, to know the scriptures like she must! (I ended up finding the book at Deseret Book and got an ebook copy for less than $10.00! Can't wait to read it!)
Point #1 - Rise above what you are asked to do. I didn't get the scripture for this reference, but she talked about how the Lord will help us overcome any obstacle we are met with.
Point #2 - Let your heart have great experiences - Sometimes we have to allow our hearts to feel and experience the good in things.
Point #3 - List what you love - Alma did so in his writing, even though he went through many trials. In Alma 26:37 he is listing what good things he had, and how much joy he experienced, even through his trials. Ester spoke of her days of gladness. She showed her Grandmother's Happiness journal, where she wrote the things that made her happy. What a keepsake to have.
The show then went on to other things, but I went into the kitchen and looked through the latest Ensign. I read the article on page 17 from Bro. Todd Christofferson, about how we need to keep close to the Lord every day so we can get the blessing He has for us. He told how the people of Israel relied on the Lord giving them manna for their food each day. It took them 40 years to learn that the Lord will keep his promise of manna, of food enough for their substance, to learn that they can rely on the Lord in all things. He stressed that we also need to learn this lesson, that we can count on Him to give us the blessings we need when we learn to rely on Him and learn to go to Him with our needs. This just really struck me and gave me lots to think about.
We saw a really nice video on the writing of the Book of Mormon in Sunday. It was a seminary video, but helped me remember that the plates of gold are abridgements of larger plates, and who wrote each part of the Book of Mormon. I liked it and hope we can see more. It's been a long time since I have been to Seminary, and I know we didn't have fun videos like that! More like film strips!
Then, the frosting on the cake, came at Relief Society. I think it was meant just for me. Our Relief Society president said she was inspired to have her sister-in-law speak to us. I had noticed that most of the Law family was here visiting and was excited to get a hug from Janice Law, Dallin's wife. They always sit in front of us, and they are always kind to us and acknowledge us every time they visit. They know how special Bro. and Sister Law have been to our family. So when I heard she was giving the lesson I knew it would be special.
Janice spoke about trials she has had to overcome in her life and how her trials have helped her turn to Christ. Her main thought was spoken many times:
Whatever you focus on expands.
Truer words can not be spoken! She stressed that we should be careful what we think about because it will consume our thoughts and grow out of porportion to reality. You can find proof for what you look for. If you feel you have been slighted or mistreated and that is your focus, you will find all the proof you need to convince yourself, and others, that you are right. She told of a time when she felt down about things others had done, and she went to the Lord to find out what to do. Her answer was to "bury your weapons' or the things you use to hurt others or to keep your pain going. Just as the Book of Mormon people were told to bury their weapons so they wouldn't fight any more. She quoted Ezekiel 36:26-27 where the Lord tells us that He will give us a new heart, a new spirit. We need to pray to get that spirit and heart so that we don't feel the pain from others, and before we spread the pain on to others.
She stressed that putting our focus on Christ will help us overcome any negative thoughts we might have, whether they are about ourselves, or our lot in life. If we have difficult appointments we need to go to, if we focus on how the Lord can (and will) help us, we will see that the time will go much better. If we focus on how difficult it is, we will see that it is difficult. We need to put our focus on how He will help us, not how He tries us.
She gave us several pointers on how we can focus on Christ. #1 - Choose a street that you drive on every day, and decide that while you are on that street, or block, or area, that you will think about Christ. #2 - Think about Christ as you fall asleep, thinking of stories or scriptures about Him, or ways you felt close to Him that day. #3 - Tell yourself that you will think about Him at certain times of the day (doing dishes, or combing hair) and make it a habit. Moroni 7:33 If you have faith in Him, He will give you power.
She told how she was very hurt by something someone said, and how she wanted to call her mom, or her sister, or someone and tell how hurt she was. Then she decided to kneel and pray about her hurt, realizing that if you focus on anger it will get bigger, but if you focus on Christ and think of the other person also at the feet of Christ asking for forgiveness, it makes it a little easier to calm those hurtful thoughts. After Mormon had seen the terrible state of his people and the horrible things they were doing, he still wanted his son, Moroni, to remember how the Lord can lift you up. Moroni 9:25. If we are faithful to Christ, He will lift us upward. Another scripture she used was D&C6:36-37. Look unto Him in every thought, doubt not, fear not.
I really was impressed with the quote "Whatever you focus on Expands". I see that in so many parts of my life, and those around me. Some of those thoughts can consume us, while others help us to grow. No matter what situation we are in, we can look for good, and focus on good. Especially focus on how the Lord can help us. There is reason for everything, and He will help us find the lesson in all our situations. We just need to focus on Him.
First of all, we had a later church, so I didn't have to get up at my usual waking time to be to church by 9:00. I actually slept until about 7:30, when just did not much until time to get ready for church. We always leave for church about one-half hour before it is time for the meeting to start, at least that is our goal. I am usually at the organ and I like to be playing before people start coming into the chapel. And Garth has the calling to be an usher so he likes to be at his post early, so 10:30 was the time we wanted to go out the door. At almost 10:00 I was in the process of getting the final touches on myself when I realized we should have been listening to The Spoken Word while we were getting ready. I quickly turned on the TV and listened to the last song. Then we just kept watching as the next show came on. It was a new show to us, since we have been in church by this time during the past year. It is called Mormon Times and is hosted by Michelle King. She had a guest author on who was speaking about her book. I was sold on it as soon as she started to speak. It is called "Live Life...and See Good Days". She told that in her book she has 12 ways to see the good in every day, but today she focused on just three. She was full of scriptures that helped her make her points. Oh, to know the scriptures like she must! (I ended up finding the book at Deseret Book and got an ebook copy for less than $10.00! Can't wait to read it!)
Point #1 - Rise above what you are asked to do. I didn't get the scripture for this reference, but she talked about how the Lord will help us overcome any obstacle we are met with.
Point #2 - Let your heart have great experiences - Sometimes we have to allow our hearts to feel and experience the good in things.
Point #3 - List what you love - Alma did so in his writing, even though he went through many trials. In Alma 26:37 he is listing what good things he had, and how much joy he experienced, even through his trials. Ester spoke of her days of gladness. She showed her Grandmother's Happiness journal, where she wrote the things that made her happy. What a keepsake to have.
The show then went on to other things, but I went into the kitchen and looked through the latest Ensign. I read the article on page 17 from Bro. Todd Christofferson, about how we need to keep close to the Lord every day so we can get the blessing He has for us. He told how the people of Israel relied on the Lord giving them manna for their food each day. It took them 40 years to learn that the Lord will keep his promise of manna, of food enough for their substance, to learn that they can rely on the Lord in all things. He stressed that we also need to learn this lesson, that we can count on Him to give us the blessings we need when we learn to rely on Him and learn to go to Him with our needs. This just really struck me and gave me lots to think about.
We saw a really nice video on the writing of the Book of Mormon in Sunday. It was a seminary video, but helped me remember that the plates of gold are abridgements of larger plates, and who wrote each part of the Book of Mormon. I liked it and hope we can see more. It's been a long time since I have been to Seminary, and I know we didn't have fun videos like that! More like film strips!
Then, the frosting on the cake, came at Relief Society. I think it was meant just for me. Our Relief Society president said she was inspired to have her sister-in-law speak to us. I had noticed that most of the Law family was here visiting and was excited to get a hug from Janice Law, Dallin's wife. They always sit in front of us, and they are always kind to us and acknowledge us every time they visit. They know how special Bro. and Sister Law have been to our family. So when I heard she was giving the lesson I knew it would be special.
Janice spoke about trials she has had to overcome in her life and how her trials have helped her turn to Christ. Her main thought was spoken many times:
Whatever you focus on expands.
Truer words can not be spoken! She stressed that we should be careful what we think about because it will consume our thoughts and grow out of porportion to reality. You can find proof for what you look for. If you feel you have been slighted or mistreated and that is your focus, you will find all the proof you need to convince yourself, and others, that you are right. She told of a time when she felt down about things others had done, and she went to the Lord to find out what to do. Her answer was to "bury your weapons' or the things you use to hurt others or to keep your pain going. Just as the Book of Mormon people were told to bury their weapons so they wouldn't fight any more. She quoted Ezekiel 36:26-27 where the Lord tells us that He will give us a new heart, a new spirit. We need to pray to get that spirit and heart so that we don't feel the pain from others, and before we spread the pain on to others.
She stressed that putting our focus on Christ will help us overcome any negative thoughts we might have, whether they are about ourselves, or our lot in life. If we have difficult appointments we need to go to, if we focus on how the Lord can (and will) help us, we will see that the time will go much better. If we focus on how difficult it is, we will see that it is difficult. We need to put our focus on how He will help us, not how He tries us.
She gave us several pointers on how we can focus on Christ. #1 - Choose a street that you drive on every day, and decide that while you are on that street, or block, or area, that you will think about Christ. #2 - Think about Christ as you fall asleep, thinking of stories or scriptures about Him, or ways you felt close to Him that day. #3 - Tell yourself that you will think about Him at certain times of the day (doing dishes, or combing hair) and make it a habit. Moroni 7:33 If you have faith in Him, He will give you power.
She told how she was very hurt by something someone said, and how she wanted to call her mom, or her sister, or someone and tell how hurt she was. Then she decided to kneel and pray about her hurt, realizing that if you focus on anger it will get bigger, but if you focus on Christ and think of the other person also at the feet of Christ asking for forgiveness, it makes it a little easier to calm those hurtful thoughts. After Mormon had seen the terrible state of his people and the horrible things they were doing, he still wanted his son, Moroni, to remember how the Lord can lift you up. Moroni 9:25. If we are faithful to Christ, He will lift us upward. Another scripture she used was D&C6:36-37. Look unto Him in every thought, doubt not, fear not.
I really was impressed with the quote "Whatever you focus on Expands". I see that in so many parts of my life, and those around me. Some of those thoughts can consume us, while others help us to grow. No matter what situation we are in, we can look for good, and focus on good. Especially focus on how the Lord can help us. There is reason for everything, and He will help us find the lesson in all our situations. We just need to focus on Him.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Experiences
Lately I have have been thinking about the experiences we have had over the past 32 years of our marriage. We have all had ups and down, which are just a part of life. Some days it seems like everything would be easier to just throw in the towel and made major decisions that would change our lives. Sometimes we are dealt a hand that is difficult to bear. But most of the time, we have realized the the blessings come after the trials. And that isn't always easy to see while the trials are there. You just have to keep going.
There have been many times when we wondered if our prayers are being heard at all, when we felt that something wasn't right. You know, those times when you aren't getting what you want or feel you want or deserve at the time. We have looked at those times and wondered just what we needed to do to "deserve" or be blessed with our desires. Our desires were righteous desires, and we just didn't understand what was keeping us from getting some kind of answer. Any answer at all. It was at times like that we would have a "husband/wife" council and look at our lives. We would find one area where we would put more effort into living the gospel better. I remember one time during our early marriage we knew we could be better at paying our tithing. We really worked that on and have been faithful tithe payers since then. We have noticed many blessings coming from that commitment. Another time it was reading the scriptures so we started getting the kids up earlier and read the scriptures every morning. It helped to make the days go better, not perfect but better. And I think our children had better teenage years because of it.
The past week I have needed to take a look at myself again, and see what I can do to make some major changes or adjustments in my life. Since Garth and I aren't home in the mornings together (he leaves for work at 4:00 am) I need to read my scriptures better by myself.
I have the set of books "Your Study of The Book of Mormon Made Easier" by David J. Ridges, which is very good at explaining word by word what each scripture means. I don't have any problem with comprehending what the verses mean, but I enjoy the added details that are included.
I was reading in Alma 8-9, the story where Alma meets Amulek, which is a well-known man in his community. Alma was told to go back to the city that had treated him so badly, and he was told to "Rejoice". He had been rejected, spit upon, and thrown out of the city, and the angel told him to Rejoice! The angel's message was that no matter what circumstances or people do to you in a negative way, what really counts is how you stand with God. Alma had been faithful, so he had reason to rejoice.
The verse that always stands out as Alma and Amulek teach is Alma 9:13. "Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord." How many times do we feel that our answers aren't coming? That is when we need to re-evaluate our lives and see what we can do to live a bit better. Even if we think our lives are in tune with the gospel teachings, there is usually somewhere we can improve. Pray more often by yourself, family or couple prayer. Pay tithing. A true fast. Home and visiting teaching. Scripture reading. Helping someone else. Making it a point to do it and report back to the Lord in prayer helps us see what we are doing to improve ourselves. It is our own evaluation so we might be like Alma and be told that we have reason to rejoice even with all the negative things that are happening around us, or the prayers we feel aren't being answered.
My challenge to you is to find one thing, one area, where you can put forth a little more effort, not to perfection but just a little bit more. Work on that one thing for as long as you need, informing the Lord what you are doing and why you are doing it. Look for the blessings that come as you work on this one little thing. It will soon bring big blessings in your life.
There have been many times when we wondered if our prayers are being heard at all, when we felt that something wasn't right. You know, those times when you aren't getting what you want or feel you want or deserve at the time. We have looked at those times and wondered just what we needed to do to "deserve" or be blessed with our desires. Our desires were righteous desires, and we just didn't understand what was keeping us from getting some kind of answer. Any answer at all. It was at times like that we would have a "husband/wife" council and look at our lives. We would find one area where we would put more effort into living the gospel better. I remember one time during our early marriage we knew we could be better at paying our tithing. We really worked that on and have been faithful tithe payers since then. We have noticed many blessings coming from that commitment. Another time it was reading the scriptures so we started getting the kids up earlier and read the scriptures every morning. It helped to make the days go better, not perfect but better. And I think our children had better teenage years because of it.
The past week I have needed to take a look at myself again, and see what I can do to make some major changes or adjustments in my life. Since Garth and I aren't home in the mornings together (he leaves for work at 4:00 am) I need to read my scriptures better by myself.
I have the set of books "Your Study of The Book of Mormon Made Easier" by David J. Ridges, which is very good at explaining word by word what each scripture means. I don't have any problem with comprehending what the verses mean, but I enjoy the added details that are included.
I was reading in Alma 8-9, the story where Alma meets Amulek, which is a well-known man in his community. Alma was told to go back to the city that had treated him so badly, and he was told to "Rejoice". He had been rejected, spit upon, and thrown out of the city, and the angel told him to Rejoice! The angel's message was that no matter what circumstances or people do to you in a negative way, what really counts is how you stand with God. Alma had been faithful, so he had reason to rejoice.
The verse that always stands out as Alma and Amulek teach is Alma 9:13. "Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord." How many times do we feel that our answers aren't coming? That is when we need to re-evaluate our lives and see what we can do to live a bit better. Even if we think our lives are in tune with the gospel teachings, there is usually somewhere we can improve. Pray more often by yourself, family or couple prayer. Pay tithing. A true fast. Home and visiting teaching. Scripture reading. Helping someone else. Making it a point to do it and report back to the Lord in prayer helps us see what we are doing to improve ourselves. It is our own evaluation so we might be like Alma and be told that we have reason to rejoice even with all the negative things that are happening around us, or the prayers we feel aren't being answered.
My challenge to you is to find one thing, one area, where you can put forth a little more effort, not to perfection but just a little bit more. Work on that one thing for as long as you need, informing the Lord what you are doing and why you are doing it. Look for the blessings that come as you work on this one little thing. It will soon bring big blessings in your life.