Receiving the Holy Ghost

I have been thinking a lot about the Holy Ghost recently and how to have it more often in my life. I listened to Elder Bednar's talk from this last conference this morning and I was impressed by several things he said. Two parts that I want to share are:

"We more readily receive and recognize the Spirit of the Lord as we appropriately invite Him into our lives. We cannot compel, coerce, or command the Holy Ghost. Rather, we should invite Him into our lives with the same gentleness and tenderness by which He entreats us (see D&C 42:14)."

"Praying, studying, gathering, worshipping, serving, and obeying are not isolated and independent items on a lengthy gospel checklist of things to do. Rather, each of these righteous practices is an important element in an overarching spiritual quest to fulfill the mandate to receive the Holy Ghost. The commandments from God we obey and the inspired counsel from Church leaders we follow principally focus upon obtaining the companionship of the Spirit. Fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives."

I realized I have been doing opposite of both of these thoughts. I seem to command or want the spirit when I want it and was particularly touched that I needed to use that same gentleness to receive it. I was also overwhelmed by that lengthy checklist mentioned in the 2nd paragraph and thought "duh, each of these elements do connect." I just hadn't realized that they centered in the Holy Ghost. What a blessing to read these words EXACTLY when I needed them!!! I continue to be astonished and impressed with the Lord's love and attention for me.

Shoveling Snow

This morning I woke up and was excited! It had snowed and a substantial amount to boot too! Well when it snows you then have to shovel.

I wonder why I always draw parallels to everything in life, but I started thinking about how life is like shoveling snow. If we don't shovel it piles up and gets harder or less manageable. Sometimes it even ices over and is worse. It's no wonder we read phrases like these in the scriptures:

"What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place."-D&C 93:49
"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation;" -Helaman 5:12
"And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men."

Just three examples...Pray Always, Remember, Remember, and And thus we see which are reminders to not let the snow pile up in our lives. When I say snow I am talking about trials or the everyday things we encounter. Are we tackling these things with Christ, prayer, and the scriptures or letting them get worse? Personally I think it is easier to shovel regularly and keep a balance in my life!

Stuff or Family?

So I was going to talk about Black Friday and had some really good observations, analogy's, and parables to the gospel, but something else is pressing on my mind.

Parenting has been in my thoughts. I know weird, but I cannot shake these feelings. I feel that it is soooooo important for a mom to stay at home and teach her kids the things of the gospel so that they can be a competent adult and strong in the world by learning the teachings of Jesus Christ and his gospel. I remember distinctly hearing this scripture in seminary many years ago...

“And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents(D&C 68:25)."

That is a pretty big job if you ask me, yet what is more important then being a parent? You can't possible think a job or things top people. This whole gospel is centered around the family, so why are so many people dropping the ball? I am glad to have some good examples to look to. The best one, God the Father and him sacrificing his Son for us!

Thanksgiving Goodness!

I learned some fantastic stuff in Leviticus 25 about sacrifice and feasting, but it is really deep and I want simplicity for Thanksgiving!

I truly am thankful for simple things. To name a few:
*Giggles from a child (I heard quite a few this week)
*The peace and quiet in the Celestial Room
*A warm bed at night to sleep in
*The AMAZING friends I have (I love to talk!)
*The unconditional love of the Savior

And the foods I am thankful for (especially that we have them readily available)...
Cranberries
Turkey
Water, yes water
Leftover pie

A bad word, "#$?*%"

Has anyone ever called you something that you were hurt by? Maybe liar, gossiper, or fat. Maybe it was hurtful because it was true. I know I have experienced that. Recently I came across an example of this in the scriptures that I had never noticed before.

"21 ¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16

Yep, did you see that? Christ called Peter "Satan!" I know it was not in anger or hatred, but simply because Peter was in the way of Christ fulfilling the Atonement for our Salvation. Think about that. Anything that stands in the way of our salvation is of Satan. Did you also notice that when things hold us up we loose our savour?

We are all on a path towards the atonement or our salvation made possible through Christ. Sometimes there are things or people who get in our way on that path. It might be a bad habit, a serious sin, a friend that doesn't uplift or a movie. The question is what, if anything is in your way? Anything good would be or should be behind you,pushing you towards good, DENYING THEMSELVES, hence the scripture "the first shall be last and the last shall be first."

Thanksgiving Daily

I am grateful that the Lord is so aware of me! With the passing of my friend/coworker I prayed to Heavenly Father for comfort in my life. I wasn't asking for a specific area of help. I would have been happy with a friend to talk to, a scripture that stands out, a thought or feeling, words from a prophet or apostle, BUT I am so blessed because he sent me all of the above!

I observed a class were this scripture was shared: "Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die, and more especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection (D&C 42:45)." I felt prompted to share that scripture and a note to a specific person who also was dealing with this death. Oh the miracle that occurred!!!

My heart is full of gratitude today because of these experiences and wanted to share this with everyone because of my gratitude.

Peace in Death

I was going to post about something else today and then tragically had a coworker/friend die today. The Plan of Salvation has been on my mind since. President Monson said:

"My brothers and sisters, death eventually comes to all mankind. It comes to the aged as they walk on faltering feet. Its summons is heard by those who have scarcely reached midway in life’s journey, and often it hushes the laughter of little children. Death is one fact that no one can escape or deny.

Frequently death comes as an intruder. It is an enemy that suddenly appears in the midst of life’s feast, putting out its lights and gaiety. Death lays its heavy hand upon those dear to us and at times leaves us baffled and wondering. In certain situations, as in great suffering and illness, death comes as an angel of mercy. But for the most part, we think of it as the enemy of human happiness.

The darkness of death can ever be dispelled by the light of revealed truth. “I am the resurrection, and the life,” spoke the Master. “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

This reassurance—yes, even holy confirmation—of life beyond the grave could well provide the peace promised by the Savior when He assured His disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

My friend was only 34 and left behind a family, yet I know that they will be okay because Christ descended below all so that this could happen.

Preparation

Recently I was in my Old Testament class (which is my favorite...wish I could bring all of you) I learned about something pretty cool. Our teacher said that if he had to pick the most important chapter in Exodus it would be chapter 19, not 20 like we all would think. Why chapter 19? Because it specifically talks about how we can prepare to meet God, ie prepare to be worthy or go to the temple.

There are 8 stages or steps that help us get there, hopefully you will understand me explaining them and not my knowledgeable teacher. Here are the 8 stages (with the verse right after the quotation):

1-"7¶ And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him." Essentially we need to take the word of God seriously.

2-"8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord." All that God commands we need to do!

3-"9 And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord." The Prophet and the Lord's words are harmonious.

4-"10 ¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes," We need to be clean when we go to the temple (physically) and dress appropriately.

5-"12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:" There are boundaries when it comes to attending the temple, hours and physical stake boundaries. Plus only those who are recommended can enter.

6-"14 ¶ And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes" Similar to #4 except this is being morally clean.

7-"15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives." This refers to bridling our passions.

8-"17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount." This refers to us going from the telestial to the terrestrial and eventually onto the celestial kingdoms (a little more confusing).

What is neat about this chapter is that Moses is a type of Christ and essentially leads the children of Israel from bondage to redemption and eventually consecration, just like the Savior! I know that these thoughts are anything but simple or milk, but I just had to share them, hopefully my next post will be a lot simpler!

Amazing Biographies

Recently we (my Old Testament class) got a lecture from our teacher about how important it is to read the biographies of the prophets. He asked how many of us had read President Hinckley's, luckily I had. He made a very good point in that our generation we can read very long book series in days, but have we ever done that in our readings with the Book of Mormon or other church books?

Anyway, I have been wanting to read President Monson's biography, but I have been waiting for my parents to finish it. Now I am reading it whenever they are not. From what I have read so far I am just so amazed by our prophet! What a hardworking, spiritual, and interesting person he is. It has inspired me to go and start writing my own personal history too.

Talk of Christ

Recently I had a dream that I was in a fast and testimony meeting were Christ was not even mentioned. It was funny because it was more like a talent show or storytelling festival. Sadly enough sometimes this is true in real life. I remember thinking of a scripture in my dream:

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 2 Ne 25:26

I especially like the part that says "May" look. It is a choice, not a must or something that is being forced upon us. I want talk of Him and rejoice in Him always

A Consecrated Life

I am always trying to be a better person. Consecration is a big thing for me that is probably why Elder Christofferson's talk from this last conference touched me. I think it is interesting that when I am trying to study and pray about ways to improve myself I hear this talk.

To quote him, "I would like to consider with you five of the elements of a consecrated life: purity, work, respect for one’s physical body, service, and integrity."

I encourage anyone reading this to go and study these five elements themselves. Besides the Savior himself I think of the lives the pioneers led. To me they were the epitome of consecration.

I also liked what he said in his closing remarks:
"A consecrated life is a beautiful thing. Its strength and serenity are “as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit” (D&C 97:9)."

Fish sticks and Halibut

On Sunday in my Sacrament meeting there was a talk that I really liked. The speaker told a story of being a picky eater when he was a child. His whole family knew he picky so they were amazed when they had Halibut and he liked it. For awhile they ate Halibut and he never got sick of it. Then one day someone in his family commented on how much he liked Halibut and asked him why. His simple reply as a child was "it tastes like fish sticks." Needless to say Mom stopped buying Halibut after that and bought matchsticks.

I thought the story illustrated his point perfectly. We need more simplicity in our lives. Are we always complicating things or are we trying to simplify things? Elder Uchtdorf in the last general conference talked about this subject in his talk entitled "Of Things That Matter Most." It was one of my favorites.


He counsels us "If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most." I think one of Satan's greatest tactics is to keep us busy and influence us to forget the important things. So are we filling our life with halibut or fish sticks?