HELP FOR HUMP DAY
Visiting Teaching Message, Ensign Jan 09
This has been one of those mornings. The mornings where your heart breaks in a million pieces and although you think you are trying to help but you accidentally making things worse. Sometimes I wonder how the people I love and I have such different views concerning the church and the way we live. Especially since this is how we've been living for years. How is it that I rarely have second thoughts on how I choose to live but others have so many questions and animosity towards certain commandments and the consequences that follow. Well, its been one of those mornings.
I thought I was going to blog about any article I could find about tithing and the blessings you receive therein, or even callings and being worthy. Instead, I chose to talk about the visiting teaching message for this month. It is fresh in my mind because I went visiting yesterday and it really answers all my questions and makes my heart a little stronger. It's the best band-aid I could have, BUT then again... I accept it and I don't have any second thoughts. I guess thats the first step in being strong and immovable in faith.
Sis Lant (Primary General President) says: "Our personal conversion comes as we BEGIN TO LIVE THE WAY THE LORD WANTS US TO LIVE- [by] keeping all his commandments, not just those that are convenient." We don't get to pick and choose, we don't get to decide the commandments that apply to us. Heavenly Father DOES not understand why we cannot obey. In reality the things he asks of us are easy! Its easy to make correct choices. It may seem easy to make the bad choice, so many people say that. The truth is that the hurt caused by the domino effect of bad choices is indeed much much harder. ....sorry for the tangent.
How Can We Stand Strong and Immovable in Faith?
It is easy... they are "simple, indispensable practices that almost seem mundane". Maybe they don't seem mundane if they are so difficult to some.
We should be firm and stead fast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. (3 Nephi 6:14.) We "can and should EXCEL in living and sharing [our] testimonies of the Lord Jesus Christ."(Sis. Beck)
We can do these with the mundane things:
1. Make & Keep Covenants- you chose to make these promises with the Lord, you knew you could do it, and he is counting on you! He loves you and knows you can succeed.
2. Be worthy and worship in His temples.
3. STUDY his doctrine in the scriptures and words of the prophets.- If this very important in our life, and if our PURPOSE is to return home to our Heavenly Father and live the way he wants us to on this earth.. we should really know what he wants from us.. to learn everything we can, all our tools are sitting right in front of us.
4. To QUALIFY for, recognize, and follow the Holy Ghost- Thats right you have to be ready to receive the counsel, and once you get you should DO IT!! "Go and do all the things the Lord commands."
5. Share and DEFEND the gospel.
6. Participate in sincere personal and family prayer.
7. Have Family Home Evening
8. Live principles of self-relience and providence living- prepare and persevere.
Question:
Why Should We Be Strong and Immovable in Faith?
3 comments:
Okay, that was great, can I take your thoughts visiting teaching with me?
I was struck with the message this month, also. I don't remember who said it, it was at the end, but the part about us making a choice to be obedient in all things. I have made concious choices to not drink or smoke, or to follow other commandments, but I have not made one for something as broad as being obedient. I realized that I really need to, and then the little choices I face everyday would not be difficult. It is not hard for me to not drink, to not kill, or not to shop on Sundays because I made those decisions long ago. I hope this makes sense. If not, please forgive my ramblings.
That made great sense! Thanks!!
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