Bigger Than Circumstances

Our testimonies gives us the faith that we need to endure adversity and resist temptations, they give us the humility and courage that we need to follow Christ and the leaders of His church in all things.

I know that the leaders of the church are chosen by God; from Adam to Thomas S. Monson. Whether it is by God's own voice or by the voice of His servants, it is the same. I trust God, because of His omnipotent wisdom and power and perfect love. When I know that a leader in the church is chosen and ordained of God, I can follow their lead without hesitancy or reservation. I haven't been asked to give all that I have to the church, but I have been asked to be willing to sacrifice all that I possess, even my own life if necessary, for the building up the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion.

There have been many times throughout my life when I was in so much pain, physical and/or emotional, that the only person that could give me comfort was Christ. I made it through those times and every time I did, my faith became a little bit stronger. So far, none of my trials have been more than I could handle. But I am still living. I will have many more experiences that will try my faith. God will try His people. If you haven't already been tried beyond what you think is your limit, you will be. I will be. God wants us to be faithful, holy, humble and contrite and He knows that trials, exercising faith in our trials, is how we get there.

Because of my experiences, I can stand with Peter to testify, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." Peter 1:7

Adversity was a topic that was talked about by 9 speakers during General Conference week this month. My Patriarchal Blessing warns me that I will be tried to the extent that it will appear that I will fall by the wayside. I can't imagine right now what that would take. It has always been easy for me to follow the leaders of the church, even blindly sometimes; knowing that they are being directed by God. Will that ever change? No! Never. We are promised that God will never allow His prophets and apostles to lead us astray.

Will I be able to do whatever it takes to follow the Prophets at all times and in all circumstances? Will I stay loyal to my Father in Heaven when things get tougher than I think I can handle? We are promised that we will not fall by the wayside if we remain faithful to our Father in Heaven.

I have stories; personal and borrowed to support everything that I believe about Christ and His gospel and the power of his atonement. My testimony is strengthened when I hear others tell of how they know that God lives and loves them, because the Spirit of God witnesses to me that what they are saying is true. And in some cases, my stories have helped others to believe. I love hearing and sharing testimonies, because of the Spirit that is felt.

What is a testimony? Is it what one believes or does it have to be knowledge based on experience to qualify as a testimony. When I hear the word testimony, I think of one who testifies at a court of law. Witnesses are asked to testify of something that happened or did not happened, in efforts to sort out the truth for conviction or release from conviction. If that witness said; "I believe that he or she ___, because someone told me ____"; that would not hold too much validity in court. But if that witness said; "I know that he or she ____, because I was there, I witnessed it myself". That would hold validity and with some kind of evidence, likely frame the one being accused. Believing is good. Testimonies start with belief, but until one knows without a doubt, there is room for faltering.

Are we witnesses of Christ's love? We experience His tender mercies and witness His miracles as answers to our prayers. Are we willing to share our testimonies with others for their sake and for the sake of furthering our Father's work? We testify to others to build their faith, bringing them closer to Christ. And when things arise in our own lives that test our faith, we don't fall away or even waiver. We stay strong in the face of adversity because we know, we learn from experience that we, with Christ's help are bigger than our circumstances.

Satan will be bound

"And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth." 1 Nephi 22:26

Growing up, I always loved the promise that there will be a day when Satan will be bound, powerless and unable to tempt me. Today I realize that I don't have to wait for the millennium to have that promise realized, he can be powerless now. Some days he is powerless, because of where I am mentally and spiritually and other days he is successful at bringing me down. With his deceiving and cunning ways, I am persuaded to fall into his traps.

He has power to bruise my heel, but I have power to crush his head! I am given that power by God. Through following His commandments and His promptings every time they come, I am living in God's power. Satan wants me to feel shame when I mess up and even sometimes when I don't mess up. But my testimony that God loves me without condition and forgives my repentant heart, brings me out of shame and fills my heart with hope and peace.

Rearing Children in a Polluted Environment

The suggested article on Instagram's BOM365 is to read is; Rearing Children In A Polluted Environment, a talk given by Joe J. Christensen in 1993.

He said: "In a recent conference, Elder Boyd K. Packer said, “As we test the moral environment, we find the pollution index is spiraling upward” (Ensign, May 1992, p. 66). The Apostle Paul foresaw “that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Tim. 3:1). And speaking of the last days, the prophet Moroni declared, “Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth” (Morm. 8:31).

Sadly, the effects of this great pollution are perhaps most evident in the mass media, films, television, and popular music. Of this, Senator Robert D. Byrd said, “If we in this nation continue to sow the images of murder, violence, drug abuse, … perversion, [and] pornography… before the eyes of millions of children, year after year and day after day, we should not be surprised if the foundations of our society rot away as if from leprosy” (Michael Medved, Hollywood vs. America, New York: Harper Perennial, 1992, p. 194).

Parents who really want to receive assistance must return to the basics—the fundamentals of the gospel. Among all that could be said, here are four specific suggestions that, if applied, can make a positive difference:

• First, do not be afraid to set clear moral standards and guidelines. Be sure to say no when it is needed.
• Second, teach your children to work and to take responsibility. Especially in urban settings, too many children are growing up in an environment where they do not have enough to do.
• Third, create an environment in your family in which spiritual experiences can occur.

“I feel certain that if in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes... The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase; the pure love of Christ will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.” (Ensign, May 1980, p. 67).

• Fourth, follow the counsel of the prophets. Listen to their messages at this conference and re-read their counsel to us from prior occasions. If your personal and family practices do not conform to the counsel received, then, for your own family’s sake, make some changes."

I appreciated this article. My 4-year-old daughter loves to "watch". Sometimes I feel like I would love to get rid of every source of media in our home, but that's not realistic, nor logical. I just need to steer her interest away from watching so much, by giving her more things to do, more time away from home, more work to do, more ways to use our minds and our bodies. She is still young enough that boundaries are respected and even in some cases appreciated. After reading this article, I commit to be better at this. I will be more consistent and strict with time limits and with helping her to find activities that inspire her and take over her interest of watching. It would also be good for me to practice saying the word "no" a little more often.

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