A few things that strengthened me today:
Divine Attributes of Christ: Virtue. Our visiting teaching message this month was particularly sweet and important to me today. President Faust taught, "Virtue in its fuller sense encompasses all traits of righteousness that help us form our character." President Hinckley adds, "Love of God is the root of all virtue, of all goodness, of all strength of character." And I love this quote from the lesson: "Through His virtue, Christ can heal, enable, strengthen, comfort, and cheer when we choose with courage and faith to reach out to Him." While talking with several different sisters about how virtue empowers and strengthens us I was inspired by their examples of goodness and
Why Marriage, Why Family by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, April 2015. I don't know if there could have been a more timely talk to study in Relief Society and I learned much! A few highlights:
"If in the course of our mortal experience, we chose to “do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God [should] command [us],” we would have kept our “second estate.” This means that by our choices we would demonstrate to God (and to ourselves) our commitment and capacity to live His celestial law while outside His presence and in a physical body with all its powers, appetites, and passions. Could we bridle the flesh so that it became the instrument rather than the master of the spirit? Could we be trusted both in time and eternity with godly powers, including power to create life? Would we individually overcome evil? Those who did would “have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever”—a very significant aspect of that glory being a resurrected, immortal, and glorified physical body. No wonder we “shouted for joy” at these magnificent possibilities and promises."
"A family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive—the setting for the birth of children, who come in purity and innocence from God, and the environment for the learning and preparation they will need for a successful mortal life and eternal life in the world to come. A critical mass of families built on such marriages is vital for societies to survive and flourish. That is why communities and nations generally have encouraged and protected marriage and the family as privileged institutions. It has never been just about the love and happiness of adults."
"Our claims for the role of marriage and family rest not on social science but on the truth that they are God’s creation. It is He who in the beginning created Adam and Eve in His image, male and female, and joined them as husband and wife to become “one flesh” and to multiply and replenish the earth. Each individual carries the divine image, but it is in the matrimonial union of male and female as one that we attain perhaps the most complete meaning of our having been made in the image of God—male and female. Neither we nor any other mortal can alter this divine order of matrimony. It is not a human invention. Such marriage is indeed “from above, from God” and is as much a part of the plan of happiness as the Fall and the Atonement."
"In the premortal world, Lucifer rebelled against God and His plan, and his opposition only grows in intensity. He fights to discourage marriage and the formation of families, and where marriages and families are formed, he does what he can to disrupt them. He attacks everything that is sacred."
"To declare the fundamental truths relative to marriage and family is not to overlook or diminish the sacrifices and successes of those for whom the ideal is not a present reality....everyone has gifts; everyone has talents; everyone can contribute to the unfolding of the divine plan in each generation. Much that is good, much that is essential—even sometimes all that is necessary for now—can be achieved in less than ideal circumstances. So many of you are doing your very best. And when you who bear the heaviest burdens of mortality stand up in defense of God’s plan to exalt His children, we are all ready to march. With confidence we testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ has anticipated and, in the end, will compensate all deprivation and loss for those who turn to Him. No one is predestined to receive less than all that the Father has for His children."
"May we each find approval in His sight. May marriages flourish and families prosper, and whether our lot is a fulness of these blessings in mortality or not, may the Lord’s grace bring happiness now and faith in sure promises to come."
Final Judgment. I had prepared to teach this lesson which brought me to these beautiful quotes and an even more real discussion than I had anticipated that helped me truly see "how great the wisdom and the love" of our Father's "grand design where justice, love, and mercy meet in harmony divine!"
The Measure of our Hearts by Elder Marvin J. Ashton, October 1988
When the Lord measures an individual, He does not take a tape measure around the person’s head to determine his mental capacity, nor his chest to determine his manliness, but He measures the heart as an indicator of the person’s capacity and potential to bless others.
Why the heart? Because the heart is a synonym for one’s entire makeup. We often use phrases about the heart to describe the total person. Thus, we describe people as being “big-hearted” or “good hearted” or having a “heart of gold.” Or we speak of people with faint hearts, wise hearts, pure hearts, willing hearts, deceitful hearts, conniving hearts, courageous hearts,cold hearts, hearts of stone, or selfish hearts.
The measure of our hearts is the measure of our total performance. As used by the Lord, the “heart” of a person describes his effort to better self, or others, or the conditions he confronts.
When the Lord measures an individual, He does not take a tape measure around the person’s head to determine his mental capacity, nor his chest to determine his manliness, but He measures the heart as an indicator of the person’s capacity and potential to bless others.
Why the heart? Because the heart is a synonym for one’s entire makeup. We often use phrases about the heart to describe the total person. Thus, we describe people as being “big-hearted” or “good hearted” or having a “heart of gold.” Or we speak of people with faint hearts, wise hearts, pure hearts, willing hearts, deceitful hearts, conniving hearts, courageous hearts,cold hearts, hearts of stone, or selfish hearts.
The measure of our hearts is the measure of our total performance. As used by the Lord, the “heart” of a person describes his effort to better self, or others, or the conditions he confronts.
The Challenge to Become by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, October 2000
In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.
The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.
The Master’s reward in the Final Judgment will not be based on how long we have labored in the vineyard. We do not obtain our heavenly reward by punching a time clock. What is essential is that our labors in the workplace of the Lord have caused us to become something. For some of us, this requires a longer time than for others. What is important in the end is what we have become by our labors.
According to the Desires of our Hearts by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, October 1996
Therefore, what we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity. “For I [said the Lord] will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts” (D&C 137:9; see also Jer. 17:10).
God thus takes into merciful account not only our desires and our performance, but also the degrees of difficulty which our varied circumstances impose upon us. No wonder we will not complain at the final judgment, especially since even the telestial kingdom’s glory “surpasses all understanding” (D&C 76:89). God delights in blessing us, especially when we realize “joy in that which [we] have desired” (D&C 7:8).
However, in contrast to God’s merciful plan for our joy and glory, Satan “[desires] that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Ne. 2:27).
Like it or not, therefore, reality requires that we acknowledge our responsibility for our desires. Brothers and sisters, which do we really desire, God’s plans for us or Satan’s?
Righteous desires need to be relentless, therefore, because, said President Brigham Young, “the men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day”. Therefore, true Christian soldiers are more than weekend warriors.
“Do you,” President Young asked, “think that people will obey the truth because it is true, unless they love it? No, they will not”. Thus knowing gospel truths and doctrines is profoundly important, but we must also come to love them. When we love them, they will move us and help our desires and outward works to become more holy.
God thus takes into merciful account not only our desires and our performance, but also the degrees of difficulty which our varied circumstances impose upon us. No wonder we will not complain at the final judgment, especially since even the telestial kingdom’s glory “surpasses all understanding” (D&C 76:89). God delights in blessing us, especially when we realize “joy in that which [we] have desired” (D&C 7:8).
However, in contrast to God’s merciful plan for our joy and glory, Satan “[desires] that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Ne. 2:27).
Like it or not, therefore, reality requires that we acknowledge our responsibility for our desires. Brothers and sisters, which do we really desire, God’s plans for us or Satan’s?
Righteous desires need to be relentless, therefore, because, said President Brigham Young, “the men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day”. Therefore, true Christian soldiers are more than weekend warriors.
“Do you,” President Young asked, “think that people will obey the truth because it is true, unless they love it? No, they will not”. Thus knowing gospel truths and doctrines is profoundly important, but we must also come to love them. When we love them, they will move us and help our desires and outward works to become more holy.
Promises Are Sure. The music and messages of sacrament meeting helped me remember the great love our Savior has for us and the need for us to show our love for Him. I was also reminded of the importance of remembering the Lord's promises. He keeps thems. We have also made promises with Him and must remember to keep them, too. (President Eyring taught this sweetly in October 2012.)
Mormon 9:21, "Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."
Psalms 12:6, "The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."
O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown
Psalms 12:6, "The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."
O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown
No creature is so lowly, No sinner so depraved,
But feels thy presence holy And thru thy love is saved.
Tho craven friends betray thee, They feel thy love's embrace;
The very foes who slay thee Have access to thy grace.
Thy sacrifice transcended The mortal law's demand;
Thy mercy is extended To ev'ry time and land.
No more can Satan harm us, Tho long the fight may be,
Nor fear of death alarm us; We live, O Lord, thru thee.
What praises can we offer To thank thee, Lord most high?
In our place thou didst suffer; In our place thou didst die,
By heaven's plan appointed, To ransom us, our King.
O Jesus, the anointed, To thee our love we bring!
God of Our Fathers
God of our fathers, whose almighty hand Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, Our grateful songs before thy throne arise.Thy love divine hath led us in the past; In this free land by thee our lot is cast.
Be thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide, and Stay, Thy word our law, thy paths our chosen way.From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence, Be thy strong arm our ever-sure defense.
Thy true religion in our hearts increase. Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
My main take-aways from this day of strengthening:
* We owe all of our love and loyalty to our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Their plan and Their love is perfect. Their promises are sure.
* I need to spend more time and energy in knowing and loving and serving the Lord and defending Him with love.
* "There is but one who offers perfect love.... In the arms of His love there is safety....peace. There is one who is just. There is one we can trust. We are safe in the arms of His love." (The song is beautiful and this talk by Elder Maxwell is incredible!)
* "The Lord needs valiant servants to do His work in the latter-days, who follow the teachings of Jesus and serve His people in a loving way....I'll stand for truth, I'll stand for right. The Lord can depend on me."
But feels thy presence holy And thru thy love is saved.
Tho craven friends betray thee, They feel thy love's embrace;
The very foes who slay thee Have access to thy grace.
Thy sacrifice transcended The mortal law's demand;
Thy mercy is extended To ev'ry time and land.
No more can Satan harm us, Tho long the fight may be,
Nor fear of death alarm us; We live, O Lord, thru thee.
What praises can we offer To thank thee, Lord most high?
In our place thou didst suffer; In our place thou didst die,
By heaven's plan appointed, To ransom us, our King.
O Jesus, the anointed, To thee our love we bring!
God of Our Fathers
God of our fathers, whose almighty hand Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, Our grateful songs before thy throne arise.Thy love divine hath led us in the past; In this free land by thee our lot is cast.
Be thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide, and Stay, Thy word our law, thy paths our chosen way.From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence, Be thy strong arm our ever-sure defense.
Thy true religion in our hearts increase. Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
My main take-aways from this day of strengthening:
* We owe all of our love and loyalty to our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Their plan and Their love is perfect. Their promises are sure.
* I need to spend more time and energy in knowing and loving and serving the Lord and defending Him with love.
* "There is but one who offers perfect love.... In the arms of His love there is safety....peace. There is one who is just. There is one we can trust. We are safe in the arms of His love." (The song is beautiful and this talk by Elder Maxwell is incredible!)
* "The Lord needs valiant servants to do His work in the latter-days, who follow the teachings of Jesus and serve His people in a loving way....I'll stand for truth, I'll stand for right. The Lord can depend on me."
