The Gifts of the Spirit

I was listening to this BYU devotional today by Elder Eyring and it really spoke to me. Its a good source to learn or be reminded of the proper steps to obtain and retain the Spirit.

One thing Elder Erying spoke of that I need to improve upon is the "pure motive". When I pray for things, do I ask God for things that "I" want, or am I asking for things that "He" wants for me? Our motives must be pure in the things that we ask for in prayer, seeking only for His will. Elder Erying said "God is offended when we seek the gifts of the Spirit for our own purposes rather than for His. Our selfish motives may not be obvious to us. "

http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,538-1-3751-1,00.html

Keeping the Faith in the End of Times

Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.

This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.

Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened....Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat. - Elder Neal A. Maxwell

What is in Our Control?

In talking to a friend today about the state of the world and my concerns long side with that, he made the following statement:

Well, we do our very best and we take what God and men give us because we have no other choice. I’ve had a decent run. If the axe falls, so be it. Just be ever watchful that you are doing the Lord’s will and you’ll make it. I’m freaking out today too for my own reasons but I know that my tithing is paid and I effect change in my sphere so beyond that, oh well.

What stood out to me was "Just be ever watchful that you are doign the Lord's will and you'll make it....I effect change in my sphere."

I know I worry so much about things I cannot control. I can try to be a good influence in the lives of those around me, as instructed by the example Christ, however, they ultimately have their agency to make their own decisions and have zero control over their actions or their outcome. I can only control my behaviors, actions and reactions.

"Don't Be Unduly Concerned..."

A friend of mine shared with me a bit of spiritual revelation that she had. The events leading up to this revelation were weighed down with worry, fear and deep concern for her family and their future. She found herself directed to the scriptures and came across this scripture and its reference:

Philippians 4:6 "Be bcareful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

The footnote for this scripture says: "Don't be unduly concerned about anything."

What I personally took from this was that if we are doing what is right and have faith in God's plan for us, going to Him in prayer and thanksgiving, we'll be directed for good and all will be as He intended it. To be "unduly" concerned and fearful about things can also be a distracter of the Holy Ghost which is absolutely vital if we are to learn of and follow His direction for us.

Tender Mercies of the Lord

I know that we all have our own personalized share of trials. The beauty in this is that our trials are personalized for us and to us. It makes me want to cry when I think about how well the Lord knows my strengths, weaknesses and all of the things that make me 'me'. I believe that the love has for each us and knowledge He has about each of us are 'tender mercies'. He knew that we each needed to experience heartache yet in His great mercy he tailored that heartache for each of us knowing exactly what we could and could not handle. He wants us to be live, learn, grow and be successful.

1 Nephi 1:20 "But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of delivereance."

Nephi is telling us that these tender mercies are in our lives. In May 2005 Elder David A. Bednar stated, "Through personal study, observation, pondering , and prayer, I believe I have come to better understand the the Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consoluation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ."

He continues and says, "When words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of delivereance."

When we ache, when we feel bad, when we feel alone, when nothing makes sense, when things seem trying the Lord often comes to us as a tender mercy. Amy, during a particularly difficult time you have quietly served as a tender mercy in my life bringing hope and strength to my heart and offering assurance and guidance in ways that you may not know. I am certain that you are an angel on His errand in my life.

xxox
brit

"We never really know what stupidity is until we have experimented on ourselves." - Paul Gaugin

Trials. Which Can We Overcome?

One thing I've come to know lately is the truth about God not allowing us to have trials that we cannot withstand

So, what does this really mean? Well, cancer is a major trial that some people haven't been able to withstand but it doesn't have spiritual consequences like drug, porn, alcohol addictions (to name a few). These are MAJOR trials but God wouldn't allow them to continue with those who are struggling, without providing a way out. That "way out" begins with the Atonement. Additionally, we are promised that we can endure through ANY trial WITH His help BUT there is one condition there....we have to ASK for His help. We also have to "DO OUR PART" to over come. I am reminded that my patriarchal blessing says "Heavenly Father won't do things for you that you can do yourself...but He will be there when I am in need." So, when we've done all that we can do and we can't go any further, He will take us the rest of the way and we WILL overcome.

Make Your Trials Worthwhile

"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experiance wisely." - Auguste Rodin

I guess this can also be said about mistakes and trials.

Faith

Faith and fear cannot exist simultaneously.

Non-Sins Can Block the Whisperings of the Spirit

Not only do "sins" prevent us from hearing the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, there are a number of "non-sin" things that as well...

- Fear
- Guilt
- Worrying
- Anger
- Sadness
- Constant mind stimulation in radio, TV, iPods, cds, video games, etc.

None of these things are sins, but they do in fact prevent us from hearing the still "small" voice. Satan knows that and often stirs us up to have thoughts that cause us to worry, be fearful, guilt-prone etc. Knowing this while hopefully allow us to turn our hearts to a more peace full state, as well as turning off the loud, distracting entertainment and "listen" quietly to the spirit.

The Best Way to Gain a Testimony of Christ

Apparently, the greatest and strongest testimony of Christ wouldn't come from seeing Him with our eyes or hearing His voice with our ears (though that would be an amazing experience). It would come through the manifestation of the Holy Ghost telling our heart and mind. There is no greater means by which that knowledge can come about. (My LDS Institute Instructor)

Atomic Bombs

"If we are going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things -- praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts -- not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They might break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds." - C.S. Lewis

Law of Moses vs. Law of Christ

The Law of Moses provided many "behaviors" to learn a few "principles" where as the Law of Christ gave us just a few "principles" to live many "behaviors". - My LDS institute instructor / name unknown

Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual maturity is inversely related to the number of commandments we need. More maturity = less commandments needed. - My LDS institute instructor/name unknown

Changing Behaviors

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes & behavior. The study of the doctrine of the gospel will change behavior more than the study of behavior will change behavior." - Boyd K. Packer

The Sanctifier

"The actual cleansing of the soul comes when the Holy Ghost is received. The Holy Ghost is a sanctifier whose divine commission is to burn dross and evil out of a human soul as through and by fire." - Bruce R. McConkie

The Holy Ghost

"When the Holy Ghost is your constant companion, this means that the atonement is working in your life." - current apostle/name unknown