Gospel Message Day 11

Conference Reflections

It didn't seem "right" to draw a topic from The Dog when I am bursting with topics and messages and feelings after this wonderful weekend of General Conference. Conference weekends are two of my very favorite times of the year. I am renewed and uplifted and ready to be a better person. I love it--nothing compares to feeling like this! So I wanted to share just a few things that are fresh on my mind.

(Please note: These are my personal notes of what I got from Conference. Personal notes = personal revelation: what the Spirit impressed on me was of use for me right now, and not necessarily what the speakers meant or even said. That's one of the best things about the Spirit and personal revelation. It is tailored to us.)

All the talks were, of course, very good. The messages were wonderful and timely. And I look forward to when all are available both electronically and in print so that I can further peruse and study them in depth. But right now, 3 talks stand out, and for 3 separate reasons.

Elder Jorg Klebingat's talk was so powerful in its straightforward, succinct message and delivery. The list he gave of how we can increase our peaceful assurance and spiritual confidence will be something I refer to often:
1. Take responsibility for your own spiritual well-being
2. Take responsibility for your own physical well-being.
3. Embrace voluntary, whole-hearted obedience. (Do the right things for the right reasons.)
4. Become really, really good at repenting thoroughly and immediately.
5. Become really, really good at forgiving. (Don't hold grudges; don't be easily offended.)
6. Accept trials, set backs, and "surprises" as they come. (Force a smile and gaze heavenward.)

Elder Richard G. Scott's talk was I think the talk most meant for me at this time in my life. He referred to struggles and challenges that we have. And while I do face my own right now, they are not quite debilitating as they have been previously. I am at a very good point in life and my outlook is pretty good. Things aren't exactly how I would wish and I am certainly enduring a lot of stress and disappointments. But I am filled with joy. Still, as Elder Scott gave us 4 tools to help us overcome challenges, the Spirit let me know that they were things I needed to work at being better at using.
1. Prayer. Make time every day to pray. Tell him everything that concerns you--the big things and the mundane.
2. Use/Study the scriptures and words of the living prophets.
3. Have (or in my case as a single adult attend) weekly Family Home Evening.
4. Go to the temple.
They are things I know about. And things I try to include in my life, and work at. But I feel that a solution to a lot of the things I'm dealing with will be answered and taken care of by re-focusing my efforts on these 4 simple things.

Elder Bednar's talk was so perfect considering what I am trying to do on this blog in this year: sharing  Gospel messages. He addressed his talk to those who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, concerning why LDS members keep sharing their beliefs with those not of our faith. I grew up outside of Utah, where I was very much the minority in my faith. I would hope that those I was around knew that I was a member of the LDS Church, and would hope they didn't find me obnoxious in always talking about the Church and my beliefs. Honestly, the main reason I did then and do now is because I love them. And I want to share with them that which is most precious to me--which has brought me peace, joy, healing, and strength.

As Elder Bednar put it, our desire to share is a reflection of how important these truths are to us. And later, after a delightful story about his 2 sons, that I immediately want to share with others that which has helped me. Once the talk is available, I will link to it here. I strongly encourage you to read it, especially if you are one my friends who is not a member of the LDS Church. This talk fully explains why I want to share what I believe with you. Why I keep this blog. Why I am blogging 365 Gospel messages. So please don't take it as me being a nuisance, but an action of love for you. And for my Savior as well.

Gospel Message Day 10

Gift of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is the 3rd member of the Godhead. Every one, no matter their beliefs, is able to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost. But the gift is different from the influence. We can feel the Spirit's influence (aka the light of Christ) at any point of our lives. Some might call it our conscience--that which helps us discern between right and wrong. We can have it on occasion, but it is not ever present. However, the gift is the right to have the Spirit with us always. We receive the gift after we have been baptized as members of the Savior's church. But it is up to us to do the receiving part, which we do through our obedience. The receiving is not a one-time thing. It is something we will do for the rest of our lives in order for us to have access to the gift.

Elder Bednar gave a talk in 2010 Conference about what it is to receive. From this, I have learned that receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost takes humble work on our part. But when we do so, it is quite worthwhile.

Gospel Message Day 9

Prayers - Gratitude

I am so excited that this topic is what I drew to write about today. There is more than one reason for us to pray, but I believe prayers of gratitude is my favorite reason. All that I have and am comes from my Heavenly Father--how could I not want to thank Him?

True, it is a commandment:
"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in al things, and obey not his commandments." (Doctrine & Covenants 59:21)

But for me it is more than that. I like to list my blessings--many at once or one or two in particular at various times. However, there is something vastly different when I pray to my Father and list those blessings, talk about them with Him, and thank Him for them. It is a precious and important time between my Father and me. I know my Father loves to bless me with what is (or eventually will be) for my good. Acknowledging His hand in my life is, for one, a humbling act on my part. But it also is an expression of my love for my Father and for what He does for me.

In every prayer, I try to include my gratitude for things. Especially if I have need to ask for something. I don't want Father to think I'm greedy. Yet a few years ago after October 2008 General Conference, I started to have Gratitude Prayers on occasion because of a story Elder Bednar shared in his talk. What his family learned is what I have come to learn, so I thought I would share his exact words:
During our service at Brigham Young University–Idaho, Sister Bednar and I frequently hosted General Authorities in our home. Our family learned an important lesson about meaningful prayer as we knelt to pray one evening with a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Earlier in the day Sister Bednar and I had been informed about the unexpected death of a dear friend, and our immediate desire was to pray for the surviving spouse and children. As I invited my wife to offer the prayer, the member of the Twelve, unaware of the tragedy, graciously suggested that in the prayer Sister Bednar express only appreciation for blessings received and ask for nothing. His counsel was similar to Alma’s instruction to the members of the ancient Church “to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things” (Mosiah 26:39). Given the unexpected tragedy, requesting blessings for our friends initially seemed to us more urgent than expressing thanks.

Sister Bednar responded in faith to the direction she received. She thanked Heavenly Father for meaningful and memorable experiences with this dear friend. She communicated sincere gratitude for the Holy Ghost as the Comforter and for the gifts of the Spirit that enable us to face adversity and to serve others. Most importantly, she expressed appreciation for the plan of salvation, for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, for His Resurrection, and for the ordinances and covenants of the restored gospel which make it possible for families to be together forever.

Our family learned from that experience a great lesson about the power of thankfulness in meaningful prayer. Because of and through that prayer, our family was blessed with inspiration about a number of issues that were pressing upon our minds and stirring in our hearts. We learned that our gratefulness for the plan of happiness and for the Savior’s mission of salvation provided needed reassurance and strengthened our confidence that all would be well with our dear friends. We also received insights concerning the things about which we should pray and appropriately ask in faith....

As we strive to make our prayers more meaningful, we should remember that “in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments” (D&C 59:21). Let me recommend that periodically you and I offer a prayer in which we only give thanks and express gratitude. Ask for nothing; simply let our souls rejoice and strive to communicate appreciation with all the energy of our hearts. 

I can testify that Gratitude Prayers are powerful, sustaining, humbling, and sweet. That gratitude in prayers is not only polite, but the kindest thing to do if you are a child of God who loves their Father.

Gospel Message Day 8

Faith, Part 7

For my last day (for now) concerning faith, I thought it ironic that my scripture reading for today was Alma 32--a very huge chapter concerning faith.

I love the symbolism of planting a seed. Faith is a principle of action. We have to do something to obtain it and to grow it. So, the planting of the seed (or the beginning of looking into/researching/learning about an aspect of the Gospel) takes place. But one can't just leave a seed and expect it to grow, survive, and thrive on its own. It might sprout, but left on its own it will dwindle and die. The same with our budding faith. We have to nourish it by continuing to learn more about that aspect of the Gospel we are trying out as well as trying to be obedient in relation to what we know to be right. A good seed will eventually produce good fruit after it has been nourished. Faith in something good will produce a good fruit.

My favorite part of this chapter is something someone pointed out years ago in verse 28:
Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

See the last part? The good seed will
SWELL within,
ENLARGE the soul,
ENLIGHTEN our understanding,
and be DELICIOUS.

S
E
E
D

Love it! :-)

In my Young Women days, we often sang a simple song about this very thing. I still like the message:

1. What is belief? What is faith?

How can they help me to know what is true?

How can I know what is true?

Chorus

Plant a seed in your heart; something beautiful will start to grow.

Though it’s small give it time, give it love and give it light, till it fills your heart and mind!

Plant a seed. Plant a seed.

2. Experiment upon the word and prove God’s promises.

Watch and wait patiently, till your faith grows mighty as a tree.

Plant a seed.

Chorus

(Sheet music found here.)

The Savior is a Master Gardener, and He has been helping me in my gardening skills. My days are and have been constantly full of planting seeds of faith and nourishing them. And even in my short lifetime, I have been blessed with magnificent, fruitful gardens and groves. It has made my life wonderful, beautiful, and joyful.

Gospel Message Day 7

Faith, Part 6

We talked a lot about Faith in Institute class tonight. I loved it! Here is just a quick list of some of the things that ended up in my notes:

*Faith in the Savior makes us whole. Not necessarily ourselves as a whole. But it can make us whole in certain aspects or areas of our lives. And it is the Savior who makes us whole.
*Faith is supposed to produce fruit.
*Faith helps us move on and grow.
*Faith grows by hearing the word of God.
*"Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things." - Elder Kevin Pearson
*We can conquer our enemies through faith.

I loved having these things about faith brought to mind. I was able to ponder on them and try to apply them more specifically to myself. I think this is what I loved the most out of what I pondered: My faith in my Savior is the strength of my soul.

Gospel Message Day 6

Faith, Part 5

So, today's message may be an odd take about the spiritual aspect of Faith. But for me a huge part of my spiritual faith is having faith in myself. Merriam-Webster states faith as "a strong belief or trust in someone or something." I have a strong testimony in knowing who you are. I have spent a lifetime getting to know my changeable, growing self. And I plan on doing so for the rest of my life. I feel it is important that as I know more of who I am, I need to believe in all the many aspects of me. I need to believe in me believing what I believe. Does that make sense?

But it's more than that. If I didn't believe in myself, then I wouldn't have much joy or direction or confidence in anything. I would flounder in life. I would have beliefs, but I don't think I would be as committed to them. The "difficult" thing for me is to know what the starting point is in this circle: because of my faith in myself, I have a stronger faith in my religious beliefs (especially my Savior); but it is because of my spiritual faiths that I have been able to build and strengthen faith in myself.

I have faith that I am a child of God.

I have faith that I am of infinite worth.

I have faith that I am beautiful in my Heavenly Father's eyes.

I have faith that I am smart, talented, (mostly) organized, loyal, loving.

I have faith that I am loved.

Gospel Message Day 5

Faith, Part 4

I suppose I have established that I have faith, and I have specified a few things that I have faith in. It would probably be a nice idea if I explain a bit more on what faith is, as far as spiritual things are concerned. I like the definition from the Bible Dictionary in the LDS Standard Works:

Faith

Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (Heb. 11:1;Alma 32:21), and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed Himself and His perfect character, possessing in their fulness all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power, and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in Him without reservation. Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith (Rom. 10:14–17). Miracles do not produce faith, but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one’s faith.

Faith is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can command the elements, heal the sick, and influence any number of circumstances when occasion warrants (Jacob 4:4–7). Even more important, by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.

All true faith must be based upon correct knowledge or it cannot produce the desired results. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action; it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for. A lack of faith leads one to despair, which comes because of iniquity.

Although faith is a gift, it must be cultured and sought after until it grows from a tiny seed to a great tree. The effects of true faith in Jesus Christ include (1) an actual knowledge that the course of life one is pursuing is acceptable to the Lord (see Heb. 11:4); (2) a reception of the blessings of the Lord that are available to man in this life; and (3) an assurance of personal salvation in the world to come. These things involve individual and personal testimony, guidance, revelation, and spiritual knowledge. Where there is true faith there are miracles, visions, dreams, healings, and all the gifts of God that He gives to His saints. Jesus pointed out some obstacles to faith in John 5:44 and12:39–42 (see also James 1:6–8).

Other references to faith include JST Gen. 14:26–36 (Appendix); 2 Cor. 5:7; Eph. 2:8–9; Heb. 11; James 2:14–26; 1 Pet. 1:8–9; Enos 1:6–8; Alma 32; Moro. 10:11; D&C 46:13–16.

I know--what does that mean in my own words? Faith is powerful. I have to work to obtain as well as build and strengthen my faith, whether that is through my own obedience and righteousness or from seeing others' live their lives that way as well. Faith works hand in hand with hope. It is a sustaining power and pulls me through the journey of life. In essence, I think the best way for me to sum it up: Faith is my lifeline to my Savior and the instrument to get me through this life.