Day 23: Persevering Through Obstacles

Lehi and his family had to endure many trials; their faith was tested, their patience was tried. They had many obstacles that threatened their lives, their state of minds, their immediate and eternal blessings. But they persevered. They (well most of them) put their trust in God and endured through it all.

The talk that I read today was given by Joseph B. Wirthlin in 1987, called Never Give Up. He said:
"In the context of my remarks today, perseverance means to continue in a given course until we have reached a goal or objective, regardless of obstacles, opposition, and other counter influences. What is our course, what is our goal, and what are the obstacles and opposition that would hinder or divert us? Our course as members of the Church should be compliance with the principles and ordinances of the gospel. Our goal should be to fill the measure of our creation as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father—that is, to reach exaltation and eternal life. The obstacles and opposition we meet are the temptations and enticements of Satan that are designed to frustrate the Lord’s work and glory: “To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39)...

I believe that essentially all significant achievement results largely from perseverance.

Jesus persevered through the final days of his mortal life as the mood of the people changed from shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matt. 21:9) to cries of “Crucify him” (Mark 15:13). He endured the indignities and physical abuse of his trials before Jewish and Roman leaders. Through his atonement and resurrection, he provided for all mankind both immortality and the possibility of eternal life. He paid the penalty for our sins if we will repent of them. How grateful I am for the effect upon me of his love and his perseverance!"

Relationships, especially family relationships and more specifically marriage relationships require perseverance. There is nothing that we can do in this life that won't be forgiven by God except murder or denying Him after a personal witness (at least that is my understanding). It should be the same for us, forgive seventy times seven. Walk away if you have to for a brief moment, in the face of abuse, but instead of retaliating or seeking revenge or holding on to a grudges, turn the other cheek. Develop traits of charity; long suffering and kindness no matter what, avoid self-righteousness and pride, don't take offense, and never give up. Hope all things, believe all things and endure all things. This is what I am learning in my own life, in relationships with people who are difficult to understand or to love. Loving the unlovable is the greatest obstacle in my life right now. This obstacle is trying to deceive me, to convince me that I don't have it in me to love like Christ loves, it persuades me to give up, it tempts me to retaliate or take offense or walk away ~ forever.

Christ gives me the strength that I need to do the right things. He provides an example for how I can be and he offers me forgiveness when I fall short. This life is a time for us to prepare to meet God. We will never be able to do that in the current human state that we are in. We need to purge and purging comes through enduring. Through Christ, I will let these obstacles build the characteristics in me that will help me endure to the very end.

Day 13: Living Water and The Tree of Life

In his talk, A Reservoir of Living Waters, Elder Bednar said; "Life springs from water, life is sustained by water, water is the medium that is used to sustain all known forms of life. Life could not exist without the availability of and access to adequate supplies of clean water. Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting live John 4:13-14. As water is necessary to sustain physical life, the Savior and His doctrines, principles and ordinances, are essential for eternal life. You and I need His living water daily and in ample supply to sustain our ongoing spiritual growth and development.

The scriptures contain the words of Christ and are a reservoir of living water. to which we have ready access and to which we can drink deeply and long. Christ is the fountain of living waters. By reading, studying, searching and feasting upon the words of Christ as contained in the Holy Scriptures, we can receive both spiritual direction and protection during our mortal journey.

The tree of life in Lehi's dream represents the Love of God. When Nephi was given the privilege of seeing the same dream that his father saw, with interpretations, He saw "...that [Christ] was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world." 1 Nephi 11:33. The rod of iron, which represented the word of God, led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life, which waters (and tree) are a representation of the love of God 1 Nephi 11:25. Christ's atoning sacrifice was the perfect demonstration of God's love and the scriptures lead us to receiving that perfect and pure love.

In Jacob chapter 3, verses 1&2, Jacob speaks to the pure in heart, saying: Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.

I love the symbolism in Lehi's dream! The path that leads us to eternal life and God's love is lined by a rod of iron (the word of God). Hold on to that rod and you won't get distracted, persuaded or fall away when the clouds of darkness (forget mists!) ~ come along or when you stumble upon a pot hole or two or trip in the ditch that lines the path that you are traveling on. In your travels, when you enter temptations; the discouraging periods of life; and the trials of your faith, hanging on to the word of God will keep you on the path, it gives you something to hold on to when you can't see anyone or anything else around you on your journey. The glamour and pride of the world will try to distract you, don't be persuaded by their flattery, the world promises immediate gratification, but don't forget ~ you are on the path that leads to eternal life. Don't let go, don't give up, don't lose sight, especially in the mists or clouds of darkness!

And on a personal note... A section of my patriarchal blessing says; "Now Dear Sister, in your life, one of the things that will strengthen you will be to read the word of God, for from the Holy Scriptures there will come thoughts and ideas to your mind that will help you to know the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through these words your testimony will increase and it will be unquestionable, and you will have the knowledge that will help you to know that these things are true. Therefore, under the counsel of your Heavenly Father, seek these truths out. Let them become a part of your life and guide you that you may not fail in that which you should do, for I promise you that the Lord will take you by the hand and direct your footsteps if you will but seek him in faith and prayer."

I take this counsel personal because it was spoken to me in a blessing, but I believe that it applies to everyone.

Day 12: A Personal Relationship WithThe Savior

A Personal Relationship With The Savior, by James E. Foust

This speech was given by James E. Foust in October of 1976. I loved all of it. I will copy those parts that "spoke" to me when I read it... I want to have a closer personal relationship with my Savior. I know how to do that, I yearn as he mentions to understand in my mind what is in my heart (a feeling which I cannot give utterance to because it is so unspeakably personal). I know that my Savior lives but I don't fully comprehend what this means, I don't always think of him as a real person. I know that He loves me, I know that He understands everything about me and my life who has ever lived on this earth. I know who He is and the role that he plays in my life. I know how I can learn more about Him, and I know what I feel about him. But I have a hard time articulating exactly how I feel and exactly what having that knowledge of Him does for me. Elder Foust explains ways that we can "clear the channel for a daily flow of living water from... the Redeemer Himself."

Here are some excerpts from his talk...

“Is not the greatest need in all of the world for every person to have a personal, ongoing, daily, continuing relationship with the Savior?” (Missionary quoted). Having such a relationship can unchain the divinity within us, and nothing can make a greater difference in our lives as we come to know and understand our divine relationship with God. We should earnestly seek not just to know about the Master, but to strive, as He invited, to be one with Him (see John 17:21), to “be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16).

How can we receive the personal blessing of the Master’s divine and exalting influence in our own lives? Since our own feelings are sacred to us and cannot be disputed by others, let us begin with those quiet assurances which occasionally can come to all of us and which we know are true. We cannot always prove these verities to others, yet they come as a form of knowledge. Is this part of the divine which ferments within us, reaching to its source? Is it not like a personal witness of truth flowing through the thin curtain which separates this world from another?

May I suggest five beginning, essential measures which will greatly clear the channel for a daily flow of “living water” from the very source of the spring, even the Redeemer Himself.

First: A daily communion involving prayer. A fervent, sincere prayer is a two-way communication which will do much to bring His Spirit flowing like healing water to help with the trials, hardships, aches, and pains we all face. What is the quality of our secret prayers when only He listens? As we pray, we should think of Him as being close by, full of knowledge, understanding, love, and compassion, the essence of power, and as having great expectations of each of us.

Second: A daily selfless service to another. The followers of the divine Christ have to be weighed on the scales of what their actions are rather than on solemn professions of belief. The true measure is found in Matthew: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these…, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40.) A wise man observed, “The man who lives by himself and for himself is apt to be corrupted by the company he keeps.” (See the original talk for the reference)

Third: A daily striving for an increased obedience and perfection in our lives. “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am,” said the Savior. (3 Ne. 27:27.) Because of the perfect atonement of Jesus, just men may be made perfect. (See D&C 76:69.)

Fourth: A daily acknowledgment of His divinity. To have a daily, personal relationship with the Master, we must be His disciples. “For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?” (Mosiah 5:13.)

Fifth: A daily study of the scriptures. President Kimball has said: “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures, the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.” (See talk for reference)

Let us hear what eyewitnesses had to say about Jesus of Nazareth. The ancient apostles were there. They saw it all. They participated. No one is more worthy of belief than they. Said Peter: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Pet. 1:16.) Said John: “For we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” (John 4:42.) Modern-day witnesses, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, declared: “For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.” (D&C 76:23.)

Peter counsels us to be “partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Pet. 1:4.) The influence and teaching of the Messiah should have a transcendence over all other interests and concerns in our lives. We must constantly be reaching upward for the riches of eternity, for the kingdom of God is within us. (See Luke 17:21.)

Speaking through the Doctrine and Covenants, God promises that you may be told in your minds and in your hearts, of whatsoever you ask, by the Holy Ghost. (See D&C 8:1–2.) By sanctifying yourselves, the day will come when “he will unveil his face unto you.” (D&C 88:68.) “If your eye be single to [His] glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.” (D&C 88:67)

In the many trials of life, when we feel abandoned and when sorrow, sin, disappointment, failure, and weakness make us less than we should ever be, there can come the healing salve of the unreserved love in the grace of God. It is a love that forgives and forgets, a love that lifts and blesses. It is a love that sustains a new beginning on a higher level and thereby continues “from grace to grace.” (D&C 93:13)

During the years of my life, and often in my present calling, and especially during a recent Gethsemane, I have gone to my knees with a humble spirit to the only place I could for help. I often went in agony of spirit, earnestly pleading with God to sustain me in the work I have come to appreciate more than life itself. I have, on occasion, felt the terrible aloneness of the wounds of the heart, of the sweet agony, the buffetings of Satan, and the encircling warm comfort of the Spirit of the Master.

I have also felt the crushing burden, the self-doubts of inadequacy and unworthiness, the fleeting feeling of being forsaken, then of being reinforced an hundredfold. I have climbed a spiritual Mount Sinai dozens of times seeking to communicate and to receive instructions. It has been as though I have struggled up an almost real Mount of Transfiguration and upon occasion felt great strength and power in the presence of the Divine. A special sacred feeling has been a sustaining influence and often a close companion.

It is my testimony that we are facing difficult times (this was 40 years ago, time are more difficult now). We must be courageously obedient. My witness is that we will be called upon to prove our spiritual stamina, for the days ahead will be filled with affliction and difficulty. But with the assuring comfort of a personal relationship with the Savior, we will be given a calming courage. From the Divine so near we will receive the quiet assurance: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; “And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” (D&C 121:7–8.) As I come to a new calling, I recognize that I am a very ordinary man. Yet I gratefully acknowledge one special gift. I have a certain knowledge that Jesus of Nazareth is our Divine Savior. I know that He lives. From my earliest recollection I have had a sure perception of this. As long as I have lived, I have had a simple faith that has never doubted. I have not always understood, yet still I have known through a knowledge that is so sacred to me that I cannot give utterance to it.

I know and I testify with an absolute awareness in every fiber and innermost recess of my being that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Divine Redeemer, and the Son of God. May we be obedient to His wish, “Come unto me thy Savior” (D&C 19:41), I pray humbly in His holy and sacred name. Amen.

In addition to reading the Book of Mormon, I have been reading; Jesus The Christ for the first time, by James E. Talmage. The Holy Ghost witnesses to my soul that what I am reading about my Savior is true. That is helping my testimony of Him grow as I learn more about Him and His divinity.

Day 11: He hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words

One of God's purposes for having Prophets of old keep journals/scriptures, is so that we could have His word today, the day when the adversary is raging upon the earth, doing everything in his power to steal the hearts and souls of many...

Those who followed righteous Nephi (the Nephites) retained the scriptures when they departed the Lamanites, and “their souls were illuminated by the light of [God’s] everlasting word.
We are living in the latter days, brothers and sisters, in the fulness of times (Alma 5:7). We must remember that we have control over who we are no matter how difficult the world becomes. Like those in 1 Nephi, the true and faithful will be able to withstand the fiery darts of the adversary when he is loosed upon this earth. Despite all the turmoil in the world, when the Savior comes to His temple, as He did in the Book of Mormon, those who are true and faithful will be there. May we be among them, I so pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation, Robert D. Hales

Day 10: With all the feeling of a tender parent...

Lehi exhorted his sons to keep the commandments of the Lord. His sons who rebelled against everything he believed in. Those young men who were so far away from choosing the right, that they tried to kill their brother, Nephi ~ several times! I can only imagine how hard it would be to be the parent of a rebellious child (teenager or adult) ~ especially THAT rebellious. Our daughter is only 4. She listens to her parents (for the most part), and mirrors the choices that we make. She chooses wisely, because she wants to have rewarding results. We try to be selective of which battles we take on with her, and at her age she still trusts us. The more independent she wants to become, the more we see how her desire to listen to us and trust us becomes less and less. My husband and I have adopted the parenting style of "Love and Logic". We believe that natural consequences are much better teachers than any other form of teaching or preaching or disciplining. It also takes the pressure of personal responsibility away from us and gives it to her, where it belongs.

We have both watched her learn and turn away from bad choices much quicker and longer lasting when she understands choice and accountability and consequences. She knows that we love her ~ no matter what, and that it's choices that bring happiness or unhappiness, not lack of love or respect from us. For the most part, she gets to choose her actions, but she doesn't get to choose the consequences. That is also how God works too but on a much grandeur scale. His love for us in unconditional, but consequences are inseparably connected with choices.

In my naivety, I have always believed that if our children feel loved by us, they will trust us and follow our lead. But that thinking can lead to despair and devastation if their choices don't turn out to be what we expect them to be. God loves us. We feel His love. How does that effect our choices? Sometimes it doesn't. Laman and Lemuel show us that love or lack of love from their parents has nothing to do with their choices. They still get to choose like we do, and sometimes their choices are not what we want them to make. Lehi is a great example of a parent who doesn't give up his role of being a loving parent; exhorting with tenderness, praying for them, making the choices that he wants them to make, preaching to them and then letting go (see 1 Nephi 8:37, 38). Do the choices that our kids make have anything to do with our parenting abilities? God knows, ask Him.

Lyrics to Families Can Be Together Forever

1. 1. I have a fam'ly here on earth.
   They are so good to me.
   I want to share my life with them through all eternity.
2. (Chorus)
   Fam'lies can be together forever
   Through Heav'nly Father's plan.
   I always want to be with my own family,
   And the Lord has shown me how I can.
   The Lord has shown me how I can.
3. 2. While I am in my early years,
   I'll prepare most carefully,
   So I can marry in God's temple for eternity.

Day 9: Let Your Light Shine

Elder Neal A. Maxwell explains briefly in one of his speeches, that the Tree of Life, being The love of God, is most profoundly expressed to us in the gift of Jesus as our Redeemer. To partake of the Love of God is to partake of Jesus' atonement and the emancipation (freedom from bondage) and joys which it can bring. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoso believeth in Him should no perish, but have everlasting life!" John 3:16

I took this reading passage and assignment in a different direction today, to make it personal for me. In the passage and talk that I read today, I thought about God's work and glory, which is to bring our immortality and eternal life to pass. I thought about the role that Christ plays in helping God fulfill His work and glory, and about our role. "The Lord has made it clear that each of us has a responsibility to exert an influence for good in the lives of those who share this mortal experience with us. We cannot live in isolation from others and still fulfill the purpose of our existence. Our actions, our words, our thoughts, and our values will inevitably affect the souls of those whose lives brush against ours. If fact, the Lord himself said that this influence may continue to reverberate long after we have departed, even to the ensuing generations. (See Mosiah 13:13.) This is an awesome prospect. When we contemplate the power we have for perpetrating both good and evil in the lives of others, we have good reason to search for careful understanding of this power." Dean L. Larsen

If you have never experienced the Love of God like Lehi explains; "it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy", pray with all the energy of heart that you might be filled with this love (Moroni 7:48). Our Father bestows this love upon all who are true followers of His Son, so that we may become the sons (and daughters) of God. I believe that we cannot influence others without love, because without charity, the pure love of Christ, we are nothing! I also believe that we cannot love anyone with Christ's love without first feeling it ourselves. 1 John 4:19

Day 7: I Know That My Redeemer Lives!

Today I read Lehi's and Sariah's testimonies. When Sariah feared for their son's lives, Lehi comforted her with his testimony; "I know that The Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness." She was comforted by his words before they arrived, but it wasn't until they did that she was able to KNOW. When they returned, she said; "Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them." And they rejoiced exceedingly, ...and gave thanks unto the God of Israel.

Testimonies strengthen us in times of doubt and fear. The testimony that I have of Jesus Christ is what is carrying me through the hardest trial of my life right now. I know that He lives and loves me. When I focus on that fact, all of my fears disappear and I am filled with peace and hope. There is nothing that is too hard for the Lord. With Him as my advocate, there is nothing that we can't do.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Click to watch a video on The Savior's life and resurrection.

I add my testimony to Samuel Medley's testimony (the author of that song), that my Redeemer lives!  

He lives to bless me with his love. I feel His love every day. 

He lives to plead for me above. He is my advocate, I do not stand alone.

He lives my hungry soul to feed. When my soul is empty, He feeds my soul!

He lives to bless in time of need, always there waiting to bless me with what I need, when I need it!

He lives to grant me rich supply. He has never let me go without the things that I need. 

He lives to guide me with his eye. He watches over me, giving me the strength to do the right thing.

He lives to comfort me when faint. Those times when I have nothing left to give, His love lifts me and heals me and gives me strength to rise above my circumstances.

He lives to hear my soul's complaint. Sometimes He offers His understanding, and other times He chastens me in my weakness.

He lives to silence all my fears. His word and His love encourage me to live in faith and hope.

He lives to wipe away my tears. His compassion and empathy are always felt.

He lives to calm my troubled heart with a peace that no one else can offer!

He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath.

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare.

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Samuel Medley died of a painful illness in 1799. I am curious if this is when he wrote this song (during the time of likely his greatest trial of his life). I don't know when he wrote it, I'll have to do some more research. But I do know that it is only through the hardest of times that this type of a testimony is built. I know that because that is the case for me. I have always believed, and right now my belief is turning to knowledge!

I know that He lives and loves me. That knowledge give me strength to carry on in my darkest moments. When I am doing the best I can and bad things are still happening; he is there to comfort me and buoy me up. When I feel alone or misunderstood, I know that He understands. I know that He will make everything right when it needs to be made right. He fights my every battle. He calms my every fear. He loves me without condition. And it is through my belief that I am able to feel it. 

He did. He does. He is. He will!

Day 6: He Knows!

I read 1 Nephi 4:20 - chapter 5:6 today. This is the part of Nephi's story where he obtained the plates of brass from Laban and then traveled back with this brothers to their parents' tent in the wilderness. I have always wondered why God did not make this task easier for them. Wouldn't it have been much easier if He would have said; "Before you head out into the wilderness, stop by Laban's house and get the brass plates from him? And then swing by Ishmael's house, take his daughters as wives for your sons and bring them with you." It would have been easier, but what would they have missed out on if He did that? The experiences that provided trials and blessings for building patience; trust in the Lord; humility; trust in their father and husband, Lehi; determination; working together, etc. The talk that I read today is found in the Liahona, entitled Enduring Well, by Elder Neil A. Maxwell. "Rather than simply passing through trials, we must allow trials to pass through us in ways that sanctify us." He said.

"Trying to comprehend the trials and meaning of this life without understanding Heavenly Father’s marvelously encompassing plan of salvation is like trying to understand a three-act play while seeing only the second act. Fortunately, our knowledge of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement helps us to endure our trials and to see purpose in suffering and to trust God for what we cannot comprehend.

Revealed truths reassure us that we are enclosed in divine empathy. As Enoch witnessed, we worship a God who wept over needless human misery and wickedness (see Moses 7:28–29, 33, 37). Jesus’ perfect empathy was ensured when, along with His Atonement for our sins, He took upon Himself our sicknesses, sorrows, griefs, and infirmities and came to know these “according to the flesh” (Alma 7:11–12).

He did this in order that He might be filled with perfect, personal mercy and empathy and thereby know how to succor us in our infirmities. He thus fully comprehends human suffering. Truly Christ “descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things” (D&C 88:6)." Knowing this allows me to endure the trials that I am asked to bear. I know that Christ is right there beside me, watching me, empathizing with me and pulling for me to make it through gracefully and graciously, like He did. In all of my aloneness, the suffering that I experience that no one else understands, Christ is there with all wisdom and all understanding. Every pain that I feel, every fear that I experience that causes my heart to ache unnoticed by others, He knows! Click this link to hear a song that inspires the testimony that is in me, sung by Jeremy Camp.

Day 5 - Blessings from keeping the commandments

1 Nephi 4 1-19: What great blessings have you seen in your life as you have been obedient and were faithful in keeping the commandments of The Lord?

• The blessing of always having my temporal needs met, from obeying the law of Tithing.
• The blessing of having the Spirit guide me in my every day decisions; large and small.
• The blessing of seeing God's hand in my life; His tender mercies, the love notes that he leaves for me everywhere I look. I think of Him, I pray to Him, I know he's there and I witness His love for me and everyone else around me.
• The blessing of peace and happiness regardless of what is going on around me.
• The blessings of whatever it is that I need to help me make it through tough times. Sometimes I need confidence, sometimes humility, other times courage, patience, charity or hope. He blesses me with what I need to help His purposes get accomplished.
• Peace of mind
• Love For Him. Love for myself and love for others with that same love.
• Freedom from regret or other painful consequences

I know there's more, but right now I need to put it on hold and take care of my little one...