No Doubt About It

I'm just getting into a book by Sheri Dew called No Doubt About It. I really like the way she writes and I thought I would put up a few things she included in the book. The first thing is a quote by Howard W. Hunter, "Whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If he is allowed to lay his hands upon the family, it lives." It's a beautiful quote, but something important about Jesus laying his hands on anything is that He must be allowed to do so. Christ really does heal us, I know that for myself. So why not a family, why not a marriage? If we allow Him to, it is possible.

And now a quote by Gordon B. Hinckley, "Jesus Christ is the pivotal figure of our theology and our faith. Every Latter-day Saint has the responsibility to know...with a certainty beyond doubt that Jesus is the resurrected, living Son of the living God." I remember when I was about 15 I realized that if I was going to claim to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that I ought to have a testimony of Him whose church it was. There were some things that I already knew by that point---I knew that the Book of Mormon was true, and I felt that the church was true. I suppose I just didn't feel like I really understood that much about Christ and what was so incredibly amazing about Him. Well, I asked God, and of course He gave me an answer when the time was right (a few months later). My testimony of Jesus has had opportunities to be nurtured and continue growing ever since. It says in Doctrine and Covenants that what will separate those who gain exaltation is that they would be valiant in their testimonies of Jesus. I've got to keep working every day at it.

Alma 1

Reading chapter 1 of Alma tonight I read about this guy named Nehor that began to teach the people all sorts of false doctrines. The kind of stuff that people like to hear because it makes life seem easy and without consequences (and we all know life is hard and there are prices to pay--both good and bad). And so in verse 5 it says, "And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money." I thought to myself, "There you go, telling people what they want to hear for money. Sounds like a lot of churches I have come in contact with." The arguement I heard a lot in Argentina quickly popped into my head that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also requires that it's members pay a tithing. Tithing is the Lord's practice; one that He has used for ages (read all about it in Malachi) to build His kingdom. Now obviously if God wanted to He could make it rain gold and use the money to spread the gospel...but he doesn't. Tithing, therefore, is something God does for us by teaching us the princple of sacrifice more than it is something we do for Him. The interesting thing to note about a church/religious leader accepting money is what they use it for. Reverting back to Nehor in the first chapter of Alma we read that ..."he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel". Can you think of any examples of that in today's world? This is contrasted by the description of the true followers of Christ in that day, "and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely." I think about our day and how we are counseled to dress by a living prophet and apostles. I think about how none of the leaders of the Church come to General Confrence wearing Armani suits yet they are "neat and comely" and dressed appropriately and respectably. No tithing money in the Church of Jesus Christ is ever used to purchase or construct something gaudy or overly extravagant. I think about the beauty and grandeur of LDS chapels and temples and I think of respect and reverence. But then I think of some of the flashy houses I recently saw on CRIBS and I think about how excessive and wasteful people can be with their money. Also in Alma 1 it describes the followers of Christ, "And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need." Which is again something that I see reflected in the modern Church.
Bottom line: it's interesting to watch how people manage money given or entrusted to them by others. "By their fruits ye shall know them".

My Steady, Upward Course

Can I tell you what I am grateful for today? Living prophets and apostles. I just finished re-reading a devotional that President Henry B. Eyering gave back in 2001 at BYU-Idaho when I was a student there. I don't recall that devotional perfectly in my mind but I have always remembered that I felt something powerful as he was speaking. I remember that I thought to myself several times, "this is something I need to always remember, something I need to always come back to when life gets hard and I forget my purpose". I was a brand new freshman at that time. Now that I am a recent graduate of BYU-Idaho I read it again and realize how far I have come. I have had SO many experiences since that time that have allowed me to struggle and work hard and develop my character. I felt today that I have (in my own small and simple way) been a part of the prophecy President Eyering made at that time. I know when he gave it I thought, "could he really be talking about me? Will I really make a difference?". I am doing it.

I am doing it. That's something I was reminded by an amazing friend when I was a missionary in Argentina. Life as a missionary gets hard. It's something I'm not sure you can understand unless you have been a missionary yourself. I had been really frustrated for 2 or 3 months which began to affect what I did and in turn I got more and more discouraged until I felt like I couldn't do anything well. I remember I came home with my companion to eat lunch and I had been crying and frustrated. I layed on the bottom bunk bed and sobbed. The other companionship came home for lunch as well, and Hermana Thorup came and sat down next to me. We talked about a lot of things. I listened as she told me what she had learned about hope. I applied it to what I already understood about hope. She then looked at me with a big encouraging smile and said, "Hermana, you're doing it." I don't know why it hit me so powerfully at that time. I could finally breathe again. I knew deep down that I was doing the best I knew how. I had much to improve on, but I was doing it. For me the key to not getting discouraged (and it can happen so easily) is to focus on what I am doing. Whether my efforts are validated by others or not, whether people respond well or badly, I do lot's of things right every day. I do the best I can. And when I screw up I fix it and move on as quickly as I can (no need to dwell or draw out something painful). So today I guess I realize that I have lot's of things I need to fix or be better at, but I AM DOING IT!