Friday, July 24, 2009
Mother's Heart
I was just listening to a talk given by the YW General Presidency on May 1, 2008. Sister Elaine S. Dalton quoted someone saying, "If it is in the mother's heart, it is in her home." In pondering this, at first, I felt reassurance knowing that I love my Father in Heaven and Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, I then wondered if there are things in my heart that would not necessarily make my future and present home a heaven on earth. I think that I am going to ponder the answer to that question and change those things in my heart that will draw my home closer to Christ.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Grace
When I was in high school, I ran on the cross country team. The way that cross country is scored is based upon individual and team points. The main runners on the team are the top five individuals on your team that cross the finish line. If one team has five individuals that cross the finish line before your five finish crossing the finish line, the other team wins. You could have a person on your team take first place overall, but your team would still lose if your fifth person crossed the line in last place. Therefore, there is a big responsibility for the fifth person.
My first year of cross country, I was the fifth runner on my team. My first year of XC, the coach of the team had predicted the best girls team he had coached in years. It was really my first year of running ever, and I worked hard to do my best.
Throughout the season that year, my team had done fairly well--beating out all of our competition fairly easily with the exception of one main competitor, the Trojans. The Trojans and my team and been neck and neck the whole season. As we entered state qualifiers, we were continually reminded of the importance of focusing to get in front of the Trojan runners.
The state qualifiers course was at Freeman Park. I had never run at Freeman, and it looked easy. It was only grass and a few hills. I thought that I would be able to run this course without a problem.
Being the novice runner that I was, I started sprinting when the gun went off. Sprinting for 3.1 miles for a novice runner is nearly impossible. I quickly found myself slowing down and in pain. What was even worse was to count the girls ahead of me from the Trojans. One, two...four, and finally, five girls from the opposing team were ahead of me. My coach encouraged me to go faster to get ahead of the Trojan girls, but I could not.
Tears fell my from my eyes as I painfully finished the race. The other top four runners from my team had finished in amazing time...and I had let them down. I was so upset that I left with my family before the results of the race were announced. I knew that I had caused my team to not qualify for the state race. As the park faded from view, I pondered my running mistakes and how those mistakes had hurt my entire team.
A few miles down the road, my cell phone rang. One of my teammates was on the line. All I heard was screaming and could barely make out the words that were being relayed to me. "WE...STATE! WE'RE GOING TO STATE!" I could barely keep my composure! How? I had counted the number of girls ahead of me...how?
Later that day, as I reunited with a few of my teammates, I told them of what I had seen and asked how it was possible for us to still go to state with my errors. To this day, I do not fully understand, but I was told that the number four runner on my team had done something that caused my team to have just enough points to beat out all of the other teams. It was because of the fourth runner that my mistakes were compensated for and we were going to state.
Years after this experience, I have constantly pondered how closely this story fits with that of the Atonement. In 2 Nephi 25:23, we are reminded that "it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." In this life, we are all inexperienced runners trying to cross the finish line to qualify for exaltation. Since we are inexperienced, we fall short at times and make mistakes that can cause us to not qualify individually for our exaltation. But, it is through the grace available through the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ that our mistakes can be compensated for in order for us to qualify. If we turn to Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit, He will not only compensate but teach us how to improve. I am so grateful for the grace that helps me in all of my imperfection to have a chance to qualify for all of the great eternal blessings provided by my Savior.
My first year of cross country, I was the fifth runner on my team. My first year of XC, the coach of the team had predicted the best girls team he had coached in years. It was really my first year of running ever, and I worked hard to do my best.
Throughout the season that year, my team had done fairly well--beating out all of our competition fairly easily with the exception of one main competitor, the Trojans. The Trojans and my team and been neck and neck the whole season. As we entered state qualifiers, we were continually reminded of the importance of focusing to get in front of the Trojan runners.
The state qualifiers course was at Freeman Park. I had never run at Freeman, and it looked easy. It was only grass and a few hills. I thought that I would be able to run this course without a problem.
Being the novice runner that I was, I started sprinting when the gun went off. Sprinting for 3.1 miles for a novice runner is nearly impossible. I quickly found myself slowing down and in pain. What was even worse was to count the girls ahead of me from the Trojans. One, two...four, and finally, five girls from the opposing team were ahead of me. My coach encouraged me to go faster to get ahead of the Trojan girls, but I could not.
Tears fell my from my eyes as I painfully finished the race. The other top four runners from my team had finished in amazing time...and I had let them down. I was so upset that I left with my family before the results of the race were announced. I knew that I had caused my team to not qualify for the state race. As the park faded from view, I pondered my running mistakes and how those mistakes had hurt my entire team.
A few miles down the road, my cell phone rang. One of my teammates was on the line. All I heard was screaming and could barely make out the words that were being relayed to me. "WE...STATE! WE'RE GOING TO STATE!" I could barely keep my composure! How? I had counted the number of girls ahead of me...how?
Later that day, as I reunited with a few of my teammates, I told them of what I had seen and asked how it was possible for us to still go to state with my errors. To this day, I do not fully understand, but I was told that the number four runner on my team had done something that caused my team to have just enough points to beat out all of the other teams. It was because of the fourth runner that my mistakes were compensated for and we were going to state.
Years after this experience, I have constantly pondered how closely this story fits with that of the Atonement. In 2 Nephi 25:23, we are reminded that "it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." In this life, we are all inexperienced runners trying to cross the finish line to qualify for exaltation. Since we are inexperienced, we fall short at times and make mistakes that can cause us to not qualify individually for our exaltation. But, it is through the grace available through the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ that our mistakes can be compensated for in order for us to qualify. If we turn to Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit, He will not only compensate but teach us how to improve. I am so grateful for the grace that helps me in all of my imperfection to have a chance to qualify for all of the great eternal blessings provided by my Savior.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Recognizing Promptings of the Spirit
April 2005, President Eyring, “(When we receive a spiritual prompting,) there is peace and power.”
Greater Blessing
Elder George Q. Cannon (1827–1901): “The Saints should always remember that God sees not as man sees; that he does not willingly afflict his children, and that if he requires them to endure present privation and trial, it is that they may escape greater tribulations which would otherwise inevitably overtake them. If He deprives them of any present blessing, it is that he may bestow upon them greater and more glorious ones by-and-by.”
Broken Heart
"The Lord Jesus
died of a broken heart."
—James E. Talmage – Broken Heart: THE BROKEN HEART
died of a broken heart."
—James E. Talmage – Broken Heart: THE BROKEN HEART
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Fulfillment of Isaiah's Prophesy?
Isaiah 4:1 says, "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."
Recently, I was enrolled in a Writings of Isaiah class taught by Dr. Victor Ludlow. He told the class that this verse meant that in the last days, there will be few men that would 1) hold the priesthood worthily and 2) are able to create children. In pondering this prophesy, I have wondered what would cause this prophesy to come to pass.
One possible answer that has come to mind came from a dinner address I attended by the Lighted Candle Society, a group dedicated to the prohibition of pornography and aid for those addicted. The main address was given by a neurosurgeon named Dr. Don Hilton, Jr. He said that being addicted to pornography not only decreases the size of the addicted's frontal lobe but also causes individuals, particularly males, to become infertile. Pornography has potential to sadly bring about Isaiah's warning/prophesy of the last days. May we all do our best to stop pornography from spreading and help those suffering from addiction.
Recently, I was enrolled in a Writings of Isaiah class taught by Dr. Victor Ludlow. He told the class that this verse meant that in the last days, there will be few men that would 1) hold the priesthood worthily and 2) are able to create children. In pondering this prophesy, I have wondered what would cause this prophesy to come to pass.
One possible answer that has come to mind came from a dinner address I attended by the Lighted Candle Society, a group dedicated to the prohibition of pornography and aid for those addicted. The main address was given by a neurosurgeon named Dr. Don Hilton, Jr. He said that being addicted to pornography not only decreases the size of the addicted's frontal lobe but also causes individuals, particularly males, to become infertile. Pornography has potential to sadly bring about Isaiah's warning/prophesy of the last days. May we all do our best to stop pornography from spreading and help those suffering from addiction.
Thoughts on Tithing
Uniformitarianism is a scientific theory describing how geologists study the placement of layers of the earth in determining the physical history of the earth. The father of geology and the idea of uniformitarianism is a man by the name of James Hutton. Hutton is known to have believed that, “The present is the key to the past.” In a similar manner, I believe that the past and present are truly keys to the future. I want to use this concept to discuss an important commandment.
“And (God) gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, & should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord. And after many days, an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
“And then the angel spake saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.”
It is interesting to note that what Adam had been sacrificing in the past and present was in similitude of the future sacrifice of the Lord. The principle or symbol that I would like to touch upon gives insight into the future.-tithing.
What is tithing?
D&C 119- “The term tithing… had meant not just one-tenth, but all free-will offerings, or contributions to the church funds.” I really like how we are asked to give tithing will our “free-will.” The Lord is happy when we give up our one-tenth to Him with a grateful heart.
According to True to the Faith, “Tithing funds are… used… to build and maintain temples and meetinghouses, to sustain missionary work, to educate church members, and to carry on the work of the Lord throughout the world.” Tithing is, therefore, used to help those around the world for various purposes. With tithing thus defined, how do we offer our sacrifice of tithing?
One of my favorite techniques in scripture reading is to take a story from the scriptures and find how it applies to a concept that I have never connected it with. I found some neat insights concerning tithing by applying the way I should pay tithing using the animal sacrifices described in Leviticus.
“Bring an offering unto the Lord.”
We plan out/take out of our salary our tenth. We deliver our tithes to the bishop, who acts as a representative of the Lord.
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am the Lord your God.”
“If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord.”
When I pay my tithing, I try to think of my worthiness. If I am trying to do my best to follow His commandments, I can have faith that I will receive the full blessings through “obedience to the law upon which it is predicated.” Those that pay tithing will be blessed for their sacrifice, but how many more blessings will one receive if she or he is worthy before the Lord?
There is a quote that also keeps me in check with my offering to the Lord. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin once said, “… Perhaps we should evaluate our offerings and decide if we are as generous with the Lord as He is with us.” This idea really has caused me to stop and reflect upon the blessings that the Lord has given me and the tithes (and fast offerings) that I give to Him. I always find myself unable to give the exact monetary value for all that He has done for me, and I never will be able to. But, I also know that the Lord requires us to do our best…even in paying tithing.
“And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.”
It is so interesting that the tithing we pay is used for various purposes. Just as the animal sacrifice was cut into pieces, our offerings go to help the Lord’s work in many ways.
In addition to these scriptural examples of how to pay tithing, I found these passages that offer unique techniques, too.
“Offer it for a thanksgiving.”
“He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offering unto the Lord shall bring his oblation unto the Lord of the sacrifice of his peace offerings. His own hands shall bring the offerings of the Lord made by fire…it shall he bring that (it) may be waved for a wave offering before the Lord.”
And, after utilizing these techniques, it becomes “an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord.”
Future
Blessings are the sure future outcomes that arrive from our obedience to pay tithing. Once again using the book of Leviticus-“If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; then will I give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield her fruit.”
Emphasize rain in due season-spiritual and temporal purposes. I have found in my life that not all blessings come at once. Many great blessings come not in my time, but the Lord’s. In our “due season,” the blessings arrive as tender mercies that help us to remember not only the great source of the blessings but also of the knowledge He has of our needs and desires.
Using one of my favorite verses from the book of Malachi- “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and PROVE me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and POUR you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” It is interesting that the Lord talks about pouring out blessings upon us in this verse and then uses the same imagery in Leviticus to describe us receiving the rain in our due time. Pres. N. Eldon Tanner, “Tithing… is a commandment with a promise. If we obey this commandment, we are promised that we will ‘prosper in the land.’ This prosperity consists of more than material goods—it may include enjoying good health and vigor of mind. It includes family solidarity and spiritual increase.” A commandment with a promise. With these amazing promises, however, there is an even greater reason to pay tithing.
As stated by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “Real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar, and letting it be consumed.”
With this in mind, I am going to do my best to look to my past and present efforts and seek the path that leads to “liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men, (and not to) captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil.” I pray that I may improve my offering of tithing. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
“And (God) gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, & should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord. And after many days, an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
“And then the angel spake saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.”
It is interesting to note that what Adam had been sacrificing in the past and present was in similitude of the future sacrifice of the Lord. The principle or symbol that I would like to touch upon gives insight into the future.-tithing.
What is tithing?
D&C 119- “The term tithing… had meant not just one-tenth, but all free-will offerings, or contributions to the church funds.” I really like how we are asked to give tithing will our “free-will.” The Lord is happy when we give up our one-tenth to Him with a grateful heart.
According to True to the Faith, “Tithing funds are… used… to build and maintain temples and meetinghouses, to sustain missionary work, to educate church members, and to carry on the work of the Lord throughout the world.” Tithing is, therefore, used to help those around the world for various purposes. With tithing thus defined, how do we offer our sacrifice of tithing?
One of my favorite techniques in scripture reading is to take a story from the scriptures and find how it applies to a concept that I have never connected it with. I found some neat insights concerning tithing by applying the way I should pay tithing using the animal sacrifices described in Leviticus.
“Bring an offering unto the Lord.”
We plan out/take out of our salary our tenth. We deliver our tithes to the bishop, who acts as a representative of the Lord.
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am the Lord your God.”
“If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord.”
When I pay my tithing, I try to think of my worthiness. If I am trying to do my best to follow His commandments, I can have faith that I will receive the full blessings through “obedience to the law upon which it is predicated.” Those that pay tithing will be blessed for their sacrifice, but how many more blessings will one receive if she or he is worthy before the Lord?
There is a quote that also keeps me in check with my offering to the Lord. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin once said, “… Perhaps we should evaluate our offerings and decide if we are as generous with the Lord as He is with us.” This idea really has caused me to stop and reflect upon the blessings that the Lord has given me and the tithes (and fast offerings) that I give to Him. I always find myself unable to give the exact monetary value for all that He has done for me, and I never will be able to. But, I also know that the Lord requires us to do our best…even in paying tithing.
“And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.”
It is so interesting that the tithing we pay is used for various purposes. Just as the animal sacrifice was cut into pieces, our offerings go to help the Lord’s work in many ways.
In addition to these scriptural examples of how to pay tithing, I found these passages that offer unique techniques, too.
“Offer it for a thanksgiving.”
“He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offering unto the Lord shall bring his oblation unto the Lord of the sacrifice of his peace offerings. His own hands shall bring the offerings of the Lord made by fire…it shall he bring that (it) may be waved for a wave offering before the Lord.”
And, after utilizing these techniques, it becomes “an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord.”
Future
Blessings are the sure future outcomes that arrive from our obedience to pay tithing. Once again using the book of Leviticus-“If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; then will I give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield her fruit.”
Emphasize rain in due season-spiritual and temporal purposes. I have found in my life that not all blessings come at once. Many great blessings come not in my time, but the Lord’s. In our “due season,” the blessings arrive as tender mercies that help us to remember not only the great source of the blessings but also of the knowledge He has of our needs and desires.
Using one of my favorite verses from the book of Malachi- “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and PROVE me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and POUR you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” It is interesting that the Lord talks about pouring out blessings upon us in this verse and then uses the same imagery in Leviticus to describe us receiving the rain in our due time. Pres. N. Eldon Tanner, “Tithing… is a commandment with a promise. If we obey this commandment, we are promised that we will ‘prosper in the land.’ This prosperity consists of more than material goods—it may include enjoying good health and vigor of mind. It includes family solidarity and spiritual increase.” A commandment with a promise. With these amazing promises, however, there is an even greater reason to pay tithing.
As stated by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “Real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar, and letting it be consumed.”
With this in mind, I am going to do my best to look to my past and present efforts and seek the path that leads to “liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men, (and not to) captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil.” I pray that I may improve my offering of tithing. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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