Marcus has mentioned multiple times lately that he is excited to turn 8 so he can be baptized. He says he is excited for his "GIFT". At first I wanted to roll my eyes...everything comes with a price, right. But then he went on to say, "I get the GIFT of the Holy Ghost when I get baptized".
How wonderful the innocence and content of a child.
Meanwhile, I am going crazy because every month we spend almost what we make. And I think to myself, "how can this be possible?" And then I find myself sometimes in that pit of a state thinking, "I wish we could just be RICH and have everything we need and WANT without issues." And then I read this....
"Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich." D&C 6:7
Now, I revert back to my innocence and content, like a child, and remember that the greatest GIFT or the RICHEST blessing is, in fact, Eternal Life.
Even on the craziest of days when my mind is not exactly focusing on the most spiritual of things, my kids AND the scriptures combined sure have a way of putting me back in my spot; of bringing me back to reality. And reality is that our Savior Jesus Christ is always with us...what a GIFT; what a RICHNESS.
"...be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love." D&C 6:20
And that, my friends, is truly a GIFT!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
STOP! And Stand Still...
I've often needed something "right now!". I've often thought "I know all the answers". I've even caught myself believing that "if I can't do it now, then it's not going to happen".
How contradictory to the promises of the Lord. In studying D&C section 5 I came across verse 34: "yea, for this cause I have said: Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee."
Stop...
Though the Lord was talking to Joseph about Martin Harris, I felt like he was talking right to me. I need to STOP...I need to learn, to ponder, to PRAY even. I need to study and gain experience. I need to have faith.
When I struggle with the kids, I need to STOP...
When I don't understand a principle or lack faith, I need to STOP...
When circumstances that seem so overwhelming or impossible come to be, I need to STOP...
The Lord will always provide means whereby I might accomplish the things he wants me to do.
How contradictory to the promises of the Lord. In studying D&C section 5 I came across verse 34: "yea, for this cause I have said: Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee."
Stop...
Though the Lord was talking to Joseph about Martin Harris, I felt like he was talking right to me. I need to STOP...I need to learn, to ponder, to PRAY even. I need to study and gain experience. I need to have faith.
When I struggle with the kids, I need to STOP...
When I don't understand a principle or lack faith, I need to STOP...
When circumstances that seem so overwhelming or impossible come to be, I need to STOP...
The Lord will always provide means whereby I might accomplish the things he wants me to do.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Three Missions of the Church
How wonderful the Book of Doctrine and Covenants is. We start out with a wonderful revelation from our Heavenly Father and then work directly into the THREE MISSIONS OF THE CHURCH
1)Redeeming the Dead
2)Perfecting the Saints
3)Proclaim the Gospel
How am I at those three things...am I attending the temple regularly enough? Am I perfecting my path or is it crooked? Do I do my part to not only be an example of the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but to verbally share the gospel; reach out?
Three missions of the church...three
1)Redeeming the Dead
2)Perfecting the Saints
3)Proclaim the Gospel
How am I at those three things...am I attending the temple regularly enough? Am I perfecting my path or is it crooked? Do I do my part to not only be an example of the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but to verbally share the gospel; reach out?
Three missions of the church...three
Monday, June 7, 2010
Section ONE
Wow! Just getting through section one I feel I have been set in my place. Section one of the Doctrine and Covenants is the Lord talking to us all about this wonderful book. And he says a LOT of things I needed to hear...
"Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh;" vs. 12
Marcus has been talking A LOT, and I mean A LOT lately about wanting to "see" and "meet" Great Grandpa Rigby and Great Grandpa Hill. He always asks how they passed away, what happened, etc etc. But then it's always the same question:
Marcus: "When will I see Great Grandpa again?"
Me: "we've talked about this. When will you see him?"
Marcus: "When Jesus comes again"
I don't know...maybe it's time I prepare for that which is to come....
"They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall." vs. 16
Now this scares me. It scares me because I have three small kids. This revelation was given in 1831...1831. In 2010 I am scared and disgusted by the way we as "man" walk our own ways. What is to come of "man" in 2020 when I have teenagers. My prayer is that I can create a fortress for my children. That they will know and understand right from wrong, good from evil. That they will walk in God's ways, worshiping Him and only Him. And that they will constantly stand for truth and righteousness.
In versus 20-23 God asks us to make a covenant with him. He asks us to (1) Speak in the name of God, (2) increase our faith, (3) establish His Everlasting Covenant, (4) proclaim the fullness of His Gospel.
It's not much to ask...be an example, lean on Him, live a worthy life and get married in the Temple, and share the Gospel with friends and family. Honestly, when you break it down in simple terms its a wonder why so many of us(me included) have such a hard time. He has promised us a FULLNESS OF JOY if we can just do these four simple things.
Wow, a fullness of Joy sounds wonderful.
"Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh;" vs. 12
Marcus has been talking A LOT, and I mean A LOT lately about wanting to "see" and "meet" Great Grandpa Rigby and Great Grandpa Hill. He always asks how they passed away, what happened, etc etc. But then it's always the same question:
Marcus: "When will I see Great Grandpa again?"
Me: "we've talked about this. When will you see him?"
Marcus: "When Jesus comes again"
I don't know...maybe it's time I prepare for that which is to come....
"They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall." vs. 16
Now this scares me. It scares me because I have three small kids. This revelation was given in 1831...1831. In 2010 I am scared and disgusted by the way we as "man" walk our own ways. What is to come of "man" in 2020 when I have teenagers. My prayer is that I can create a fortress for my children. That they will know and understand right from wrong, good from evil. That they will walk in God's ways, worshiping Him and only Him. And that they will constantly stand for truth and righteousness.
In versus 20-23 God asks us to make a covenant with him. He asks us to (1) Speak in the name of God, (2) increase our faith, (3) establish His Everlasting Covenant, (4) proclaim the fullness of His Gospel.
It's not much to ask...be an example, lean on Him, live a worthy life and get married in the Temple, and share the Gospel with friends and family. Honestly, when you break it down in simple terms its a wonder why so many of us(me included) have such a hard time. He has promised us a FULLNESS OF JOY if we can just do these four simple things.
Wow, a fullness of Joy sounds wonderful.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Starting the Doctrine and Covenants...
"In the revelations the doctrines of the gospel are set forth with explanations about such fundamental matters as the nature of the Godhead, the origin of man, the reality of Satan, the purpose of mortality, the necessity for obedience, the need for repentance, the workings of the Holy Spirit, the ordinances and performances that pertain to salvation, the destiny of the earth, the future conditions of man after the resurrection and the judgment, the eternity of the marriage relationship, and the eternal nature of the family. Likewise the gradual unfolding of the administrative structure of the Church is shown with the calling of bishops, the First Presidency, the Council of Twelve, and the Seventy, and the establishment of other presiding offices and quorums. Finally, the testimony that is given of Jesus Christ—his divinity, his majesty, his perfection, his love, and his redeeming power—makes this book of great value to the human family and of more worth than the riches of the whole earth. " Explanation of the Doctrine and Covenants
Grateful for Obedience
I just finished the Pear of Great Price, ending with Jospeh Smith History. I am just grateful for the perserverance and obedience that the Prophet Joseph Smith had. I am grateful for a loving wife that stood by his side and endured all the mocking, torture and tormenting that he endured. I am grateful for the writings that he was able to transcribe through the power of the Urim and Thummin. I am grateful....
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
AM I TOO TOLERANT
When Joseph Smith had his first vision he was worried about telling people. But as he did he found that no one believed him. The preachers of other churches degraded him and told him he was a liar. They chastised him and made him feel belittled. But Joseph knew what had happened to him, "...why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it....".
Nowadays, I feel I am becoming too tolerant of the "world" around me. I am not strong like Joseph was to stand strong in what he knew without a shadow of a doubt was true.
My kids hear people ALL AROUND them taking the Lord's name in vain. It is constant in this part of the country that we live in. And we have told them over and over that it offends Heavenly Father, that we don't want to say His name in vain. Madelyn came home from school the other day and told me that she had asked one of her friends not to say "that word" because it makes Heavenly Father sad. Her friend immediatly told her that that wasn't true and then proceeded to repeatedly yell His name just to make Madelyn uncomfortable.
Madelyn said she tried to stay strong and tell her that it was hurting her feelings but she said she got nervous and eventually walked away.
Just like Joseph, Madelyn experienced the "worlds" reaction when they are asked to do something that they don't want to or that is too hard...persecution, denial, etc.
Just a small example but one that makes me think... am I being too tolerant of the things around me that aren't in accordance with the Lord's will. Would he trust that I would be strong enough, like Joseph, to carry out His plan despite the "worlds" resistance.
Nowadays, I feel I am becoming too tolerant of the "world" around me. I am not strong like Joseph was to stand strong in what he knew without a shadow of a doubt was true.
My kids hear people ALL AROUND them taking the Lord's name in vain. It is constant in this part of the country that we live in. And we have told them over and over that it offends Heavenly Father, that we don't want to say His name in vain. Madelyn came home from school the other day and told me that she had asked one of her friends not to say "that word" because it makes Heavenly Father sad. Her friend immediatly told her that that wasn't true and then proceeded to repeatedly yell His name just to make Madelyn uncomfortable.
Madelyn said she tried to stay strong and tell her that it was hurting her feelings but she said she got nervous and eventually walked away.
Just like Joseph, Madelyn experienced the "worlds" reaction when they are asked to do something that they don't want to or that is too hard...persecution, denial, etc.
Just a small example but one that makes me think... am I being too tolerant of the things around me that aren't in accordance with the Lord's will. Would he trust that I would be strong enough, like Joseph, to carry out His plan despite the "worlds" resistance.
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