I gotta feeling

Recently I have felt something that I have only been privileged to for short periods of time in my life. That feeling I am talking about is of Zion. This scripture illustrates:

"And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." Moses 7:18

I am not going to tell you which circumstance in my life I feel this way, but I love it. I long to be there when I am not and feel complete peace and comfort there. When you are not in that kind of circumstance how do you get there again?

Don't become desensitized!

I have been meaning to update all week, but life has been busy. I have had many thoughts because I am so blessed and feel so hopeful about everything right now. One of the subjects that I have been thinking a lot about is not becoming desensitized in the world, specifically to media.

There is a TV show that I started watching last year. At first it didn't start off bad, but now it is full blown out of control!!! I can't believe I let myself watch it for as long as I did. This paralleled an event that happened to me this week.

I have eaten trail mix many times before, but for some reason I had an allergic reaction to it this week. I actually had to go to Instacare and get a shot of epinephrine because I couldn't breath, was itching like crazy, and apparently had hives. I didn't think it was that serious, but I guess it was. Now I have to always have an Epi-Pen with me just in case.

I thought that this experience was exactly like being desensitized to a TV show. Sure you may watch it or eat it a few times and you are okay. Hopefully one day you wake up and realize how bad it is and can save yourself before spiritual damage has taken place. I know this is how Satan works his magic. He starts off by tempting us with something fairly tame, maybe even great, but then we get hooked and usually it becomes anything but righteous. I am just glad I recognized it in time!

One Thing

Last week in one of my institute classes the teacher did something different or changed the way he teaches completely by not using his power point and starting class by asking a question. The question he asked was what ONE doctrine do you think is the most important to you in our church? I seriously thought about the question and my answer was Revelation. Other answers ranged from Prophets, Green Jello, the Godhead, the Priesthood, the Atonement, etc...

Then the teacher took an unexpected turn and made us vote on only one. Most voted for their original answer. Then he asked how many of these things were actual doctrine on the day the church was organized in 1830. We narrowed the list down to only two things...The Priesthood and Revelation.


Think about it...would you have had enough faith to join the church in the early days before certain doctrines were established. I like to think I would have because of revelation and feeling the spirit of truth. Just a thought.

Joseph and Christ

For many years I have not liked the story of Joseph in the the Bible, specifically in Genesis. I think the reason being is the Hollywood glorified version drove me nuts!!! I am not a fan of Donny Osmond, so that may have influenced my thoughts. However, this week I read the story differently and saw how important it is.

I saw that Joseph is a foreshadowing of Christ. When Joseph was sold by his brothers he was treated badly just as Christ was. Yet, the part that really gets to me is when the brothers reunite. Joseph forgives them, but since they had NOT KNOWN their brother for many years they didn't believe they were forgiven. It illustrates to me that sin is a very heavy burden because Joseph's brothers were constantly feeling guilty for what they did to him.

As soon as the brothers find out their Father, Jacob, is dying they are worried about the revenge they think Joseph will inflict upon them for what they did to him. This clearly shows that they did NOT KNOW their brother and the love that Joseph had for them. This is illustrated in Gen 50:20..."20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

Do we or I really know Christ? Do I believe when I am forgiven of a sin? If we really know Christ we know that He loves us and doesn't seek revenge when we have done wrong.

"It did pierce them that did hear to the center"

Lately I have been feeling like the Nephites in 3rd Nephi 11 feel. Read the following verses and then I will expand...

3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.
4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.
5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.
6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard;

Sometimes I feel like my spiritual ears are not open!!! If the Nephites did not hear the voice until the 3rd time around, I wonder what I am missing out on. Sometimes I just get so frustrated in trying to get the spirit, discern it, and then follow the promptings. Recently I read in a conference talk that we cannot demand the spirit, which I feel like I am doing sometimes. I just wish I knew how to fine-tune this gift we have been given.

Boldness of Speech

So recently I have been reading/studying in Jacob. My heart went out to Him and I felt like I could relate. There are two verses that I could relate to especially in Jacob 2:3,7.

3 And ye yourselves know that I have hitherto been diligent in the office of my calling; but I this day am weighed down with much more desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls than I have hitherto been.
7 And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before God, which thing is pleasing unto God;

I felt a lot of the language from conference was very bold, but it needed to be. Maybe I relate to these verses and those conference talks because of the lesson I am preparing for Relief Society this month. The lesson is on Elder Holland's talk from April 2010. The title is "Place no more for the enemy of my soul." It's a doosie, go and read it and then you will understand my feelings.