So, I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday about a lesson she is going to teach in her Relief Society soon. She was taking part of President Uchdorf's talk this last fall about "forget me nots" and focusing on the importance part about not forgetting to be patient with ourselves and that the Lord loves us. And maybe about not forgetting to be happy now. I am not sure.
The part that caught my attention was her talking about how we often don't remember or recognize our own gifts. There are many more gifts out there besides playing piano, being a great singer, or other "noticable" gift.
We often put ourselves down for what we don't have instead of focusing on what we do have. Some of this is an effort to not be "bragging" and to make sure we appear humble.
As my friend pointed out though, that is not necessary.
The first scripture in the Book of Mormon has Nephi "bragging" about how he had righteous parents, he was favored of the Lord, and he has a lot of knowledge of the teachings of God.
I hadn't thought of this before. To recognize things you are good at isn't bragging about them. It doesn't mean you aren't humble. In fact, you can use this knowledge to thank Heavenly Father for blessing you with these things.
In Nephi 6:5 and 2nd Nephi 5:32, Nephi says that he is writing things that are pleasing unto God.
Nephi is not afraid to acknowledge the good things he does, can do, and is capable of.
D&C 60:2 talks about the Lord's displeasure with those that won't open their mouths, because they hide the talents they were given.
D&C 6:33 Fear not to do Good
D&C 30:11 Always open your mouth for God's cause and don't be afraid of what man can do. That's also said in section 122, verse 9 when Joseph Smith is depressed and down in Liberty Jail.
D&C 82:18 talks about how each of us are to improve upon our talents and seek more so that we can be helpful to each other.
And of course, D&C 46:11 starts talking about all the gifts that are given out. Some of us have one gift and some have another, but everyone has at least one. All the talents and gifts are given so that we can use them to help each other.
When I was talking to my friend about all of this, I kept thinking I had marked a scripture lately about how we can be confident and feel good about ourselves without being wicked, but I can't remember what it was (of course!) I'd love it if someone would post any scriptures they read or know of that confirm this kind of thing.
Meanwhile, let us each acknowledge the talents we've been given, not be afraid to seek for others and remember and be willing to bless other's lives with them.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Better then a whole year
Well, I am glad to see it hasn't been a whole year since I have posted. So, that means it has only been about 6 months that I have totally sucked at scripture study. I've exercised, showered, ate cereal, and my hubby is driving the kids to school. With a few early morning minutes (well, this IS early enough morning for me!) of silence and being alone, I thought it doesn't get better than this to study scriptures!
It has been so long though---I couldn't even remember where I was, what I had been studying, what I should read. I've been attending Teacher Development at church, so I am not even up on the Sunday school assignment. I do, however, know that they are studying the Book of Mormon this year. My family has been reading the BofM since March 28, but we are still in first Nephi. (We "took the summer off" and forgot how to get started again, I think). So, it won't be long until Sunday school long passes up the family study. So, I just glanced over 1 nephi 16...which is the chapter my family is reading (obviously just a few verses at a time) and noticed I had underlined "faith and diligence" in verse 29.
From reading the verse, I know Nephi was talking about the Liahona, but I thought it sure did tie in with prayer also. Shockingly, my prayers have been weak, hurried and sporadic lately also. I've been concerned about my crappy prayers and thinking I should work harder and making them more thoughtful, less automatic. Like the Liahona, our directions and answers from the Lord come easiest and most frequently according to the faith and diligence we give it.
Isn't it annoying how you know these things and yet you still don't do them right?
It has been so long though---I couldn't even remember where I was, what I had been studying, what I should read. I've been attending Teacher Development at church, so I am not even up on the Sunday school assignment. I do, however, know that they are studying the Book of Mormon this year. My family has been reading the BofM since March 28, but we are still in first Nephi. (We "took the summer off" and forgot how to get started again, I think). So, it won't be long until Sunday school long passes up the family study. So, I just glanced over 1 nephi 16...which is the chapter my family is reading (obviously just a few verses at a time) and noticed I had underlined "faith and diligence" in verse 29.
From reading the verse, I know Nephi was talking about the Liahona, but I thought it sure did tie in with prayer also. Shockingly, my prayers have been weak, hurried and sporadic lately also. I've been concerned about my crappy prayers and thinking I should work harder and making them more thoughtful, less automatic. Like the Liahona, our directions and answers from the Lord come easiest and most frequently according to the faith and diligence we give it.
Isn't it annoying how you know these things and yet you still don't do them right?
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The power
I want to comment a bit more about Esther. You hear those verses and her story referred to frequently in church, but I think there is a real power when you read it.
As a teen of the 80's, I had 6 years of Young Women themes referring to my generation as a chosen or royal generation. The kids my age were saved for this time because of our strength, righteousness, or whatever that could make it through this increasingly wicked world. We had an important work to do in the latter days. It wasn't by chance that we were born at this time.
Naturally, I don't mind being a Totally Awesome Person : ) but we see more generations are still coming to earth so it is not like my generation has heralded in the 2nd coming or something. As we've grown up and had our own children, we've seen our children's strong personality and thought they were definitely held back until the last days. I heard one time that those that are really strong will be really strong in whatever they do---they'll either be against the church or be able to be stalwart in the church. Not so wishy washy as other generations are able to be. These kids will have to choose sides and take a stand.
The world is still getting worse; families are unraveling, the pace of life keeps going faster, truth gets muddled, and it's easier then ever to turn away from righteousness. So, it is easy to think maybe I wasn't part of a royal generation after all. I'm not special. I'm not important.
All of those negative feelings go out the window when I read Esther 4:14..."Who knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" We each have things to do while we are here on earth. I'm not sure what all of the stuff I am suppose to do is, but it probably isn't to get favor with a king or save a nation. I think it is probably something much more quieter regarding individuals instead of an entire people, but when I read about Esther, I feel the power there saying we each need to stay strong, have faith in God, and press forward. Our life is not an accident.
As a teen of the 80's, I had 6 years of Young Women themes referring to my generation as a chosen or royal generation. The kids my age were saved for this time because of our strength, righteousness, or whatever that could make it through this increasingly wicked world. We had an important work to do in the latter days. It wasn't by chance that we were born at this time.
Naturally, I don't mind being a Totally Awesome Person : ) but we see more generations are still coming to earth so it is not like my generation has heralded in the 2nd coming or something. As we've grown up and had our own children, we've seen our children's strong personality and thought they were definitely held back until the last days. I heard one time that those that are really strong will be really strong in whatever they do---they'll either be against the church or be able to be stalwart in the church. Not so wishy washy as other generations are able to be. These kids will have to choose sides and take a stand.
The world is still getting worse; families are unraveling, the pace of life keeps going faster, truth gets muddled, and it's easier then ever to turn away from righteousness. So, it is easy to think maybe I wasn't part of a royal generation after all. I'm not special. I'm not important.
All of those negative feelings go out the window when I read Esther 4:14..."Who knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" We each have things to do while we are here on earth. I'm not sure what all of the stuff I am suppose to do is, but it probably isn't to get favor with a king or save a nation. I think it is probably something much more quieter regarding individuals instead of an entire people, but when I read about Esther, I feel the power there saying we each need to stay strong, have faith in God, and press forward. Our life is not an accident.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
To participate
I'm writing in purple today in honor of Esther. Purple is associated with royalty and Esther was a Queen.
We had a great lesson in RS yesterday! The Bishop taught a combined RS-Priesthood lesson cause it was the 5th Sunday.
Bishop Huntington pointed out Esther 4:14 where Mordecai tells Esther if she doesn't go in and talk to the King about saving the Jews then relief and deliverance will come from another place. I bet you never noticed that before, but you read it!
"But thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
So Mordecai knows that the Jews will be saved by God. Maybe not even right now since he says thy father's house shall be destroyed, but he knows that God's work will still go forth. If not right then, then later with someone else.
My Bishop said that is the way it is with us. God's work will go forward. It is up to us whether we participate in it or not. There are things for us to do--like Esther--but if we don't step up and do it, it doesn't stop God's work. He will find others that will keep it going.
Worth pondering.
We had a great lesson in RS yesterday! The Bishop taught a combined RS-Priesthood lesson cause it was the 5th Sunday.
Bishop Huntington pointed out Esther 4:14 where Mordecai tells Esther if she doesn't go in and talk to the King about saving the Jews then relief and deliverance will come from another place. I bet you never noticed that before, but you read it!
"But thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
So Mordecai knows that the Jews will be saved by God. Maybe not even right now since he says thy father's house shall be destroyed, but he knows that God's work will still go forth. If not right then, then later with someone else.
My Bishop said that is the way it is with us. God's work will go forward. It is up to us whether we participate in it or not. There are things for us to do--like Esther--but if we don't step up and do it, it doesn't stop God's work. He will find others that will keep it going.
Worth pondering.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
A beautiful visual
This is the handout from our lesson this past Sunday. It is from President Uchdorf's talk in this last April's conference about waiting on the road to Damascus.
"The truth is, those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him. They will personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle. One piece at a time. Each individual piece may not be easily recognizable by itself; it may not be clear hot it relates to the whole. Each piece helps us to see the big picture a little more clearly. Eventually, after enough pieces have been put together, we recognize the grand beauty of it all. Then looking back on our experience, we see that the Savior had indeed come to be with us---not all at once, but quietly, gently, almost unnoticed."
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Is the gospel Chocolate or whole grain wheat bread?
I found this post in my "draft" folder dated in March. Since I've been talking about making scripture reading delicious to my soul, it might be a good time to go ahead and finish this thought since it deals with food also.
John 6:24-71
Are we clueless to the power of God around us?
After you have your testimony bolstered and you are feeling that strength and courage, don't you just feel filled? It is a great feeling. And yet, it is easy to forget how great that feeling is and instead turn our focus to other stuff. Sometimes we don't even realize what we are missing until we are filled again and compare the difference.
The people that were following Jesus at this time were the same people that had participated in the miracle of the bread and fishes the day before. What a miracle and yet they were thinking of it as only a meal. JST on verse 26 says "Ye seek me, not because ye desire to keep my sayings, neither because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled."
The people say said their ancestors had been given bread from heaven before when they ate manna in the wilderness. I guess they weren't thinking beyond their next meal. It must have been a great "filling" since they are still following him and talking about it.
When they tell Jesus there has been bread from heaven before (so does that make it less wonderful?!) Jesus corrects them by saying "Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the World."
Then said they unto him, Lord, give us this bread.
And Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.....Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven that a man may eat thereof and not die."
But lots of people stopped following him then. (v.66)
I guess that is why we are told to seek Jesus daily. So we don't forget what it is like to be filled by Him. So, we can understand that ball games, rainy weather, obnoxious people, etc. aren't the most important things in life. We need to spend more of our time seeking after the Real bread. The bread that will stick by us, fill us, give us the nourishment we need.
John 6:24-71
Are we clueless to the power of God around us?
After you have your testimony bolstered and you are feeling that strength and courage, don't you just feel filled? It is a great feeling. And yet, it is easy to forget how great that feeling is and instead turn our focus to other stuff. Sometimes we don't even realize what we are missing until we are filled again and compare the difference.
The people that were following Jesus at this time were the same people that had participated in the miracle of the bread and fishes the day before. What a miracle and yet they were thinking of it as only a meal. JST on verse 26 says "Ye seek me, not because ye desire to keep my sayings, neither because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled."
The people say said their ancestors had been given bread from heaven before when they ate manna in the wilderness. I guess they weren't thinking beyond their next meal. It must have been a great "filling" since they are still following him and talking about it.
When they tell Jesus there has been bread from heaven before (so does that make it less wonderful?!) Jesus corrects them by saying "Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the World."
Then said they unto him, Lord, give us this bread.
And Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.....Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven that a man may eat thereof and not die."
But lots of people stopped following him then. (v.66)
I guess that is why we are told to seek Jesus daily. So we don't forget what it is like to be filled by Him. So, we can understand that ball games, rainy weather, obnoxious people, etc. aren't the most important things in life. We need to spend more of our time seeking after the Real bread. The bread that will stick by us, fill us, give us the nourishment we need.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Complicated
The last month or so, I've come to realize that I have complicated my scripture reading. In my effort to really study and "feast on the word" I've made things harder for myself.
I don't want to read unless I have my notebook with to take notes. Or unless I have time to blog about my thoughts. Or unless I go in and look up where I was before--I can't just pick up the scriptures and start reading anywhere. It has to be "in the right place."
It is just excuses. All of them. It's kind of like the Zoramites that think they can only pray from the Rameumptom and that you have to have great clothes and be looking perfect in order to go to church. It IS nice to have a quiet place to pray (maybe that is where the idea came from) and it IS good to wear your best before the Lord. But, that all becomes bigger then it needs to be and you lose sight of what is really important.
Alma tells the poor people that don't have nice enough clothes to be allowed into the synagogues:
I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?
And moreover...do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once a week? (Alma 32:10-11)
I think to me, Alma would say, "What? You can only read the scriptures when you have your little gospel study notebook poised to take notes? Does reading scriptures and not blogging about it mean you don't get wisdom and peace from reading? Can you only read scriptures between 9 and 10 in the morning on days that the house is quiet and peaceful?
Silly, huh?
I'm going to try to do better.
I don't want to read unless I have my notebook with to take notes. Or unless I have time to blog about my thoughts. Or unless I go in and look up where I was before--I can't just pick up the scriptures and start reading anywhere. It has to be "in the right place."
It is just excuses. All of them. It's kind of like the Zoramites that think they can only pray from the Rameumptom and that you have to have great clothes and be looking perfect in order to go to church. It IS nice to have a quiet place to pray (maybe that is where the idea came from) and it IS good to wear your best before the Lord. But, that all becomes bigger then it needs to be and you lose sight of what is really important.
Alma tells the poor people that don't have nice enough clothes to be allowed into the synagogues:
I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?
And moreover...do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once a week? (Alma 32:10-11)
I think to me, Alma would say, "What? You can only read the scriptures when you have your little gospel study notebook poised to take notes? Does reading scriptures and not blogging about it mean you don't get wisdom and peace from reading? Can you only read scriptures between 9 and 10 in the morning on days that the house is quiet and peaceful?
Silly, huh?
I'm going to try to do better.
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