After the Trial of Your Faith

"And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."--Ether 12:6

The past few weeks have indeed been a trial of my faith.  As I stated in my last post, it finally reached a boiling point and I was having a hard time getting rid of the rage I felt inside of me.  A few things happened this week to help me dispel it, and help me see the bigger picture.  I also think I know why this trial happened.

First of all, I received an angry message from a friend I was fighting with.  He quoted some scripture to me that really incensed me, but I decided that I would humble myself enough to read the scriptures and really think about it rather than responding negatively.  Once read in context, they spoke some words that I needed to hear.  This scripture, read in context, actually helped the situation, rather than make me even more mad.

Secondly, I had another scripture come into my mind that I dwelt on.  It is from the Sermon on the Mount, and it was a really powerful tool in changing my attitude.

Thirdly, institute on Wednesday night was particularly great.  I always enjoy our class, but this week, the things we spoke about really touched me and helped me hear what I needed to hear.  We were reading in 2 Nephi 31, verses 20 and 21.  What really stood out to me were the phrases, "feasting upon the word of Christ" and "endure to the end".  I realized that I was more "nibbling" than "feasting" upon the words of Christ.  Even though I have been studying hard to teach my seminary class, I had figured that I would count that as my personal study as well.  However, I realized that I needed to do separate personal study as well to keep up with my Book of Mormon class and it made a huge difference once I started reading separately.

Fourthly, I had the opportunity to go to the temple yesterday and do baptisms.  We joined a small youth group from Vermont, and it was a great experience.  For two of the people who came, it was their first time attending the temple and I was able to speak with them about the process and bear testimony of the work with them.  It was an amazing day.

Lastly, I realized just before arriving at the temple that I had a question I needed answered.  I prayed in the temple about it, I thought about it after, I had someone ask me about it, I ended up listening to a Relief Society podcast about it, and stake conference spoke about it as well (at least to me it did).  Something clicked inside of me that said, this is why the adversary has been doing a number on you the last few weeks.  He was trying to prevent you from seeking after this blessing and he wanted you to harbour resentment and anger so that you couldn't receive revelation.  But because I attended my meetings, because I continued to pray and read my scriptures, because I attended the temple, in short, because I endured, the Lord has blessed me with some personal revelation.

1 Peter 1:7 says "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:".  This trial of my faith was indeed a blessing in disguise.  Sometimes the adversary works extra hard on you when he knows that good things are coming your way because of your valiance.  But, as you continue to feast upon the words of Christ, pray, and endure to the end, I know that you will come out on top.  The Atonement is there as an amazing tool for us.  This I know with all my heart and I am grateful for the trials that I have experienced in the last few weeks.  I am grateful for the personal revelation I have received because I endured. This Gospel is perfect and can help you withstand any trial that comes your way.  This I know to be true.

Until next time,
-J

Solutions Welcome

Of late there have been multiple instances where I have had to ignore my immediate feelings to retaliate to the negativism that has been sent in my way and instead, respond in a mature, non-threatening way.  This required Hurculean effort on my part.  I take great pride in being able to defend my arguments and myself through intelligent and cohesive defense, so to not defend myself, to me, feels like giving up.  I hate that feeling.  I have been suffering with feelings of anger and frustration, mostly because I can't say what I want to say to the people I want to say it to, and it's getting all bottled up inside of me.  I'm frustrated with myself for not being able to let this all go.  I should be able to let it slide off my shoulders and forget about it, but I can't for some reason.  I know that the adversary can gain a hold very easily when there is anger in your heart, so I am trying very hard to be at peace.  However, I can't seem to block out the negative influx from other sources.  I have been praying for strength, praying for peace, and reading my scriptures, but my anger continues to be kindled.  I cannot seem to find a lasting solution to this problem.  So what I am asking is, is there any productive outlet that you can recommend to me to rid myself of these feelings of anger and frustration?  I welcome any and all solutions.


Until next time,
-J

It is a Hard Thing

In seminary this week we spoke about desires.  We spoke about identifying the difference between a righteous desire and a worldly desire.  Coincidentally, I've spoken with a few people this week that have also brought this subject to my mind and I feel the need to write about it. 

First off, identifying your righteous desires.  Consider Abraham and the things he desired:

"And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers." (Abraham 1:2)

Abraham wanted to receive the Priesthood, possess great knowledge, be a great follower of righteousness, be a father of many nations, be a prince of peace, receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God.  All of these things are righteous desires.  If I were to apply this scripture to myself, this is how I would interpret these desires:

-Live worthy of the Holy Ghost
-Seek after life-long learning
-Attend all my church meetings and fulfill my callings to the best of my ability
-Become a spouse, and then a mother of righteous offspring
-Soothe contention and attempt to resolve conflict peacefully
-Be open to personal revelation and be willing to act upon it
-Do all the things the Lord wants me to do

I do have all of these desires and I know that they are righteous.  Thus, I can know that the Lord will help me to obtain them.  If I ask Him for help and do all that I can, no righteous desire of my heart will go unrecognized.  Let me quote a few scriptures to help our understanding:

“And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.” (3 Ne. 18:20.)

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

“When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; … He will not forsake thee.” (Deut. 4:30–31.)

The main point I wish to emphasize in these scriptures is that it takes more than good intentions to receive blessings from the Lord.  Not only do you need the desires, you need to let them "work in you" (Alma 32:27) to the point where you are brought to action.  It is not enough to just believe that we will receive. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26).  The only way that we can receive continual instruction from the Lord about how to live our lives and accomplish our righteous desires is if we accept that revelation/prompting and follow through with action.  

Many may be tempted with saying "it is a hard thing" (1 Nephi 3:5) that is required of us, i.e. to come to action and do what we need to do to accomplish our righteous desires, but I remind you that "With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27).  Whatever it is you are struggling with, whether it be schooling, dating, your job, your church calling, if you have righteous desires concerning these things, the Lord will help you if you ask Him to help you.  And, once you ask and He gives you direction, act on that direction.  Remember Nephi:

 

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7 emphasis added)

I know that as we seek after the things of righteousness and stop waiting on the road to damascus, acting in faith, we can receive the desires of our hearts.  This I know to be true.

Until next time,

-J

5 Love Languages

It seems that many of my guy friends have been talking about the book "The 5 Love Languages" recently and my friend's blog post inspired me to finally read the book.  It was very interesting!  I don't want to give an entire description of the book, but here's a general breakdown of concepts:


If you're not 'speaking' your significant other's love language, they will not feel loved. We each have something called a 'love tank' and if it is not being filled on a regular basis, that love will run dry and we'll be running on empty, not feeling like we're loved.

The five languages are as follows:

Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch

In completing my survey I discovered that my primary love language (by far) is words of affirmation.  That means that I enjoy receiving praise, compliments, expressions of appreciation, kind words verbally or in a note, etc.  My secondary ones were almost tied between quality time and physical touch.  Though, in response to that, I feel like the affirmation and quality time are musts before the physical touch comes into play.  Acts of service was number 4 and gifts...well that got a plain old 0.  I've never felt comfortable receiving gifts, though I do like giving them. 

All of that being said, as a fairly intuitive person, I feel that part of the reason I get along with different kinds of people is because I can sense what I need to give them for them to feel loved.  There are a few exceptions of course, and sometimes I misread people, but I try hard to give people what they need.  That ties in with my being an ENFJ, but that's another story.  I encourage you all to read this book and learn a little more about how to fill your significant other's (and even your friends and family's) love tank.

Until next time,
-J 

Conference Overview

What an amazing weekend!  This is the first time in a long time that I went to the chapel for all four sessions of conference.  Even though I was sick and could barely keep my eyes open for most of it, I still came away from it with really great spiritual inspiration.  The funny thing is, most of that inspiration was not for me specifically, but for my students.  That is something I haven't experienced before--being given direction for someone else instead of myself.  I guess that's how it will be when I have kids of my own.  For now, the students in my class are the special spirits in my care so I can receive inspiration to help them. 

So, instead of giving my overview of every talk of conference (we'd be here a while) I'll give a summary of the talks that touched me most.

Elder Jose L. Alonso (of the seventy)
-true happiness is following the example and teachings of Christ
-those who have felt the touch of the Master's hand feel more inclined to follow Him
-we need to act and search for the one who has been lost (sometimes they don't even know they're lost)
-Do NOT delay!  We may lose them forever!
-The Saviour's love is for all but He never loses sight of the one
-Happiness comes from making and keeping sacred covenants


Boyd K Packer (president of the 12 apostles)
-young people are being raised in enemy territory
-despite the opposition, you need not fail or fear
-the Gospel plan is the Great Plan of Happiness
-All beings who have bodies have power over those who don't
-my testimony is key to supporting others
-Angels speak with the power of the Holy Ghost
-You'll not make a big mistake without first being warned by the Holy Ghost
-You are never lost!
-You will be protected by evil if you heed the promptings of the Holy Ghost
-Lucifer will lose!
-Surround yourself with friends who desire to be good too

Dieter F. Uchtdorf (2nd councellor in the 1st presidency)
-retain in remembrance the greatness of God
-We are the reason He created the universe
-D&C 18:10, Moses 1:39
-Compared to God we are nothing, but to God we are everything
-a person's true value has little to do with what the world prides
-those who will inherit the kingdom of God will be those who become as little children
-Satan tries to focus us on our own insignificance
-it doesn't matter where you are, what your calling is, or what your standing is with others, the Lord knows your heart and will bless you
-He will use those hwo incline their hearts to Him
-Your influence can be flet even if it goes seemingly unnoticed
-the Lord uses a scale very different from the world to measure the worth of a soul
-1. God loves the humble and meek
-2. The Lord entrusts the fulness of the Gospel message to be preached by the meek and lowly
-3. No matter where you live or how meager your circumstances you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father.  He knows your acts of loving kindness
-4. What you see and experience now is not what forever will be
-God sees you as the being you were created and designed to become


Ian S. Ardern (of the seventy)
-become the master manager of our time
-time flies on the wings of lightning, we cannot call it back
-prioritize our choices to match our goals
-the poor use of time is a close cousin to idleness
-don't let technology take over
-let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text
-we must devote our time to the things that matter most



Carl B. Cook (of the seventy)
-"remember, it`s better to look up"
-re-direct youe focus to God, we will be blessed to have faitha nd strength to fulfill the things we have been called to do
-sins are forgiven and burdens are lightened as we look to Christ




D. Todd Christofferson (of the 12 apostles)
-the prophetic call to repentance should be celebrated
-justification and sactification are just and true
-steps to repentance:

1. Invitation to repent is an expression of love
2. Repentance means striving to change
• it takes effort on our part
• real change, real repentance may require repeated attempts
3.  Covenant to be obedient to the Father--Baptism
4. Repentance requires persistence
• true repentance is not superficial
• confess and forsake
• my soul is filled with joy as exceeding was my pain
5. Whatever the cost of repentance it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness

Elder Robert D. Hales (of the 12 apostles)
-why is it so hard to do the Father's will?
-why is there such terrible tribulation and to what end?
-to grow, to develop, and to be strengthened
-we wait upon the Lord
-tests and trials are given to all of us to see if we will use our agency to choose to follow our Heavenly Father
-wait means "to hope", "to anticipate", and "to trust" in the Lord
-Endure to the end
-plant and nourish a seed of faith with patience and diligence
-tribulation worketh patience
-stand fast and press forward in faith having a perfect brightness of hope
-**all things with which we have been afflicted will work together for our good**
-our understanding of what the Lord has for us comes line upon line
-wait in faith--the promises of the Lord are sure
-in your Gethsemane, you are never alone

Elaine S. Dalton (Young Women general President)
-fathers must faithfully raise daughters by loving their wives

I have no other notes on this talk, but I had a hard time listening to it.  Coming from a family where I had no father in the home, it was difficult for me to think of what could have been if I had a worthy priesthood holder, or father in my home growing up.  Though it was difficult to listen to, it impressed upon me further the importance of getting married in the temple to a worthy priesthood holder.  I don`t want my daughters to be raised without the guidance, direction, and love of a worthy father.

Thomas S. Monson (prophet)
-the world`s message is that morality is `passe`
-we know it`s not
-we are responsible for our actions
-the rules of God are constant
-God`s constancy is an anchor to which we can hold fast and be safe
-we must be vigilent (this struck me, as the same is said in my patriarchal blessing)
-reject anything in your life that does not conform to our standards
-watch and pray always...for Satan desires to have you
-work towards having a relationship with Heavenly Father through prayer


Matthew O. Richardson (2ns Councellor in the Sunday School Presidency)
-a key to becoming a real person in every aspect is teaching in a way that doesn`t limit learning
-teach by the Spirit so it can teach the truth unrestrained
-the Holy Ghost is the real teacher
-to conduct ourselves after the manner of the Holy Ghost is to adjust our teaching methods to align with how the Spirit teaches so it can testify more fully
-The way the Holy Ghost teaches:

1. Teaches individuals in a very personal way
• does not teach all truth all at once
• teach people not lessons
• real teaching involves much more than learning and telling
2. Teaches by prompting, inspiring, and encouraging us to act
• can facilitate opportunities to learn, feel, and act
• we cannot learn, feel, or act for others
• how do I invite and ask those around me to learn for themselves?

-do not become discouraged with your progress
-`look how far we`ve come!`
-lives will change as you teach with and by the Spirit
-God will help you in your efforts

Randall K. Bennett (of the seventy)
-decisions determine destiny (President Monson)
-we are free to choose freedom and liberty or captivity and death

• CHOOSE ETERNAL LIFE!!

-are what we think about and do in line with choosing eternal life?
-ultimately we have 2 eternal choices
-there is safety and joy in living like Jesus Christ
-We all face adversity, we all made mistakes
-we need to become self-disciplined fast!
-am I seeking divine direction through daily scripture study, pondering, and prayer?
-am I seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost in what I think about and do?
-it is never too late to begin to choose eternal life


Quentin L. Cook (of the 12 apostles)

1. We have a Father in Heaven who loves us
2. His Son is our Saviour and Redeember whose Atonement covers all sin
3. Plan of Happiness includes premortal, mortal, and eternal life with reunion

-Sinking of the Titanic is an example of looking through the lens of just this mortal life
-we`ve seen into the events of evil exercise of agency
-be appreciative for the blessings we receive and the tragedies we avoid
-we should be grateful for the tender mercies we receive in our lives
-an essential elemnet of prospering is having the Spirit in our lives
-the refiner`s fire is real
-fear not for God shall be with your forever and ever
-regardless of the trials we face in this life, there are enough life boats for everyone
-`dying with your music still inside you`
-we know of the great eternal reward
-Jesus listening can hear the songs I cannot sing


Those are the ones that touched me the most.  I`m grateful for conference and for the wonderful messages it has poured into my soul at this time.  I can`t wait to listen to and read the talks again.

Until next time,
-J