I had a dream, just barely. I can't sleep so, let me share.
A boy walked in the snow, sad and lonely. He wondered how other people could be so happy. He wondered what was missing from his own life. He kicked the snow with his boot and the shape of a heart appeared. That was it...love. Love was missing from his life. Real, honest, sweet love. He found the gospel of Jesus Christ. He knew it was true because Christ loved us enough to die for us, so we could be saved from Satan's selfish grasp. All things live because of the love of Christ.
This made me think of the little seedlings I planted weeks ago. I had flowers and herbs that were beginning to sprout. I was excited they were getting ready to plant in the ground. I left them out in the sun one day, planning on planting them. Well, of course, I got busy and forgot about them for several days. The heat withered them and once I remembered them it was too late. I brought them inside and watered them, but they would not revive. I realized I had not loved them enough...or I wouldn't have forgotten them. I had let them down.
We get busy with our lives sometimes and we forget to shower love on our families and friends. This I am also guilty of. I would like to be better. It really is as easy as remembering to water plants. I just need to remember to shower love wherever I go, then happiness and love of family and friends will grow.
Christ really does love us, and remembers us, even when people fail to. He sorrows with us and cherishes us. Unfortunately sometimes we put up umbrellas and refuse to receive or notice His love. If you don't feel loved, think of Christ suffering in Gethsemane, and on the cross. He did it out of love. Be on the lookout for true love wherever you go. It's out there. Find it and especially, share it!
Bee
"There is power in our love for God and for His children, and when that love is tangibly manifest in millions of acts of Christian kindness, it will sweeten and nourish the world with the life sustaining nectar of faith, hope, and charity" -Elder M. Russell Ballard (Click on the picture to read this great talk!)
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
The Gift of the Holy Ghost
Here we are on Earth, working and striving every day. We may not know why, and at times we may feel lost. After all, our Father in Heaven does not come and visit us personally to help us. Life wouldn't be much of a test if He did. But doesn't he care about us? Of course He does. He has sent a member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost, to be a compass and map back to Him.
"All are born with the Light of Christ, a guiding influence which permits each person to recognize right from wrong. What we do with that light and how we respond to those promptings to live righteously is part of the test of mortality" (President Boyd K. Packer, These Things I Know General Conference address Apr. 6, 2013).
Jesus taught that we must be baptised not only of water, but also of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is incomplete unless we are baptised with water and the Spirit. Only then can we receive a remission of sins and become reborn as disciples of Jesus Christ. How is one baptised of the Spirit? Following one's baptism by water; one or more authorized leaders lays their hands on the recipient's head and confirm the person a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and they confer the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Through receiving the Holy Ghost and remaining worthy of His companionship, you are blessed with an increased portion of spiritual discernment, strength, and comfort You are warned of dangers, and receive help as you teach and learn. It is one of God's great gifts to us and gives a little taste of the eternal joys and a promise of eternal life.
The priesthood authority is required to perform this ordinance, which was lost for centuries after the death of Christ; and was restored again through Joseph Smith. This ordinance is one thing that makes our church different from all others. The Lord declared that this church is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth" (D&C 1:30).
The times when I have felt the Holy Ghost prompting me have been turning points in my life. I have been blessed as I have followed the promptings, and I've suffered when I've ignored it. Pay attention to the feelings you have that seem to direct you to stay away from a dangerous situation. The Holy Ghost will instead inspire us to spread goodness and peace. These feelings are Heavenly Father speaking to you. If you're not having these feelings, you may just need to rid your mind of worldly distractions for a little while and read scriptures or listen to uplifting music. Eventually the direction you need will come.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost-A Sure Compass
"All are born with the Light of Christ, a guiding influence which permits each person to recognize right from wrong. What we do with that light and how we respond to those promptings to live righteously is part of the test of mortality" (President Boyd K. Packer, These Things I Know General Conference address Apr. 6, 2013).
Jesus taught that we must be baptised not only of water, but also of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is incomplete unless we are baptised with water and the Spirit. Only then can we receive a remission of sins and become reborn as disciples of Jesus Christ. How is one baptised of the Spirit? Following one's baptism by water; one or more authorized leaders lays their hands on the recipient's head and confirm the person a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and they confer the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Through receiving the Holy Ghost and remaining worthy of His companionship, you are blessed with an increased portion of spiritual discernment, strength, and comfort You are warned of dangers, and receive help as you teach and learn. It is one of God's great gifts to us and gives a little taste of the eternal joys and a promise of eternal life.
The priesthood authority is required to perform this ordinance, which was lost for centuries after the death of Christ; and was restored again through Joseph Smith. This ordinance is one thing that makes our church different from all others. The Lord declared that this church is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth" (D&C 1:30).
The times when I have felt the Holy Ghost prompting me have been turning points in my life. I have been blessed as I have followed the promptings, and I've suffered when I've ignored it. Pay attention to the feelings you have that seem to direct you to stay away from a dangerous situation. The Holy Ghost will instead inspire us to spread goodness and peace. These feelings are Heavenly Father speaking to you. If you're not having these feelings, you may just need to rid your mind of worldly distractions for a little while and read scriptures or listen to uplifting music. Eventually the direction you need will come.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost-A Sure Compass
Saturday, May 11, 2013
I Like to Look for Rainbows
Long have I been in love with this Primary song: When I Am Baptized
I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
I know when I am baptised my wrongs are washed away,
and I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
Words and music by Nita Dale Milner
It's more than just the sweet, simple words or the lovely music. My heart is stirred and I know that it is true, we can be forgiven of our sins and God remembers them no more!
Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepares us for the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. This ordinance shows that we are entering into a covenant, or a binding and solemn agreement, with God. God promises to bless us, and we promise to obey Him. Keeping our covenants brings blessings in this life and exaltation in the life to come.
Through baptism we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. As we keep our part of the covenant, God promises the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, a remission of our sins, and being born again.
We are baptised by immersion for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins. The immersion represents the end of our old life of sin, and a commitment to live a new life as a disciple of Christ. It is a rebirth. We must be baptised to become a member of the restored Church and eventually enter into the kingdom of heaven. Little children do not need to be baptised, and are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ. When they reach the age of accountability, or eight years old, they can then choose to be baptised.
Partaking of the sacrament weekly is a way of renewing and remembering the covenant of baptism. It helps us to be worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us daily for direction and comfort.
Christ's Example
2 Nephi 31:4-18
Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptismal Covenant
Mosiah 5:8-10
Mosiah 18:8-10
D&C 20:37
Qualifications for Baptism
2 Nephi 9:23
Mosiah 18:8-10
Alma 7:14-15
3 Nephi 11:23-27
Moroni 6:1-4
D&C 20:37
Acts 2:37-39
The Lord Institutes the Sacrament
3 Nephi 18:1-18
Luke 22:15-20
Promised Blessings of Baptism
Mosiah 4:11-12, 26
Moroni 8:25-26
John 3:5
Romans 6:4
Partaking of the Sacrament
D&C 27:2
1 Corinthians 11:23-29
Necessity for Authority
D&C 22
Hebrews 5:4
I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
I know when I am baptised my wrongs are washed away,
and I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
Words and music by Nita Dale Milner
It's more than just the sweet, simple words or the lovely music. My heart is stirred and I know that it is true, we can be forgiven of our sins and God remembers them no more!
Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepares us for the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. This ordinance shows that we are entering into a covenant, or a binding and solemn agreement, with God. God promises to bless us, and we promise to obey Him. Keeping our covenants brings blessings in this life and exaltation in the life to come.
Through baptism we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. As we keep our part of the covenant, God promises the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, a remission of our sins, and being born again.
We are baptised by immersion for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins. The immersion represents the end of our old life of sin, and a commitment to live a new life as a disciple of Christ. It is a rebirth. We must be baptised to become a member of the restored Church and eventually enter into the kingdom of heaven. Little children do not need to be baptised, and are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ. When they reach the age of accountability, or eight years old, they can then choose to be baptised.
Partaking of the sacrament weekly is a way of renewing and remembering the covenant of baptism. It helps us to be worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us daily for direction and comfort.
Christ's Example
2 Nephi 31:4-18
Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptismal Covenant
Mosiah 5:8-10
Mosiah 18:8-10
D&C 20:37
Qualifications for Baptism
2 Nephi 9:23
Mosiah 18:8-10
Alma 7:14-15
3 Nephi 11:23-27
Moroni 6:1-4
D&C 20:37
Acts 2:37-39
The Lord Institutes the Sacrament
3 Nephi 18:1-18
Luke 22:15-20
Promised Blessings of Baptism
Mosiah 4:11-12, 26
Moroni 8:25-26
John 3:5
Romans 6:4
Partaking of the Sacrament
D&C 27:2
1 Corinthians 11:23-29
Necessity for Authority
D&C 22
Hebrews 5:4
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Turning My Heart and Will to God
That is my favorite definition for repentance. I visualize a person actually turning their back on darkness and facing the Light.
When we get to the point where we want to repent, we must:
First, have a correct understanding of God and what He wants us to do.
Second, we must recognize those things that we must change, feel truly sorry, and desire to be better.
Third, we confess our sins to God through prayer and ask for forgiveness. Also confessing serious sins to authorized leaders is necessary to help us.
Fourth, we do all we can to correct the problems our actions may have caused.
As we repent and change, our perspective on life changes. We feel more love for ourselves and no longer feel guilty and powerless. If we sincerely repent, we turn away from our sins and resist any desire to commit sin. We can feel God's sweet forgiveness and peace. The Spirit of God rests upon us and gives us understanding and strength.
He is the light that gives us perspective in this world of darkness. It can be so hard to turn away from our past mistakes and not look back...those things feel like they were a part of us, and sometimes we really don't want to give them up. Our love of God urges us to repent. Every one of us needs to repent in some way. I have needed it (and constantly need to do it), and am so grateful for it. When I have gone through these steps for repentance it feels like Satan's hold on me weakens and I am strengthened through Christ. It is a gradual process and takes a lot of effort, but of course it is worth it.
"Except for the sins of those few who choose perdition after having known a fulness, there is no sin that cannnot be forgiven."
"Repent--That I May Heal You"
Elder Neil L. Anderson
Scripture Study
We All Sin
Romans 3:23
1 John 1:7-8
Repentance
Alma 34:8-17
D&C 58:42-43
D&C 61:2
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
Bible Dictionary: "Repentance"
Redemption and Forgiveness
Helaaman 5:10-11
Mercy Claims the Penitent
Alma 12:32-35
Alma 42:13, 21-24
D&C 18: 10-13
When we get to the point where we want to repent, we must:
First, have a correct understanding of God and what He wants us to do.
Second, we must recognize those things that we must change, feel truly sorry, and desire to be better.
Third, we confess our sins to God through prayer and ask for forgiveness. Also confessing serious sins to authorized leaders is necessary to help us.
Fourth, we do all we can to correct the problems our actions may have caused.
As we repent and change, our perspective on life changes. We feel more love for ourselves and no longer feel guilty and powerless. If we sincerely repent, we turn away from our sins and resist any desire to commit sin. We can feel God's sweet forgiveness and peace. The Spirit of God rests upon us and gives us understanding and strength.
He is the light that gives us perspective in this world of darkness. It can be so hard to turn away from our past mistakes and not look back...those things feel like they were a part of us, and sometimes we really don't want to give them up. Our love of God urges us to repent. Every one of us needs to repent in some way. I have needed it (and constantly need to do it), and am so grateful for it. When I have gone through these steps for repentance it feels like Satan's hold on me weakens and I am strengthened through Christ. It is a gradual process and takes a lot of effort, but of course it is worth it.
"Except for the sins of those few who choose perdition after having known a fulness, there is no sin that cannnot be forgiven."
"Repent--That I May Heal You"
Elder Neil L. Anderson
Scripture Study
We All Sin
Romans 3:23
1 John 1:7-8
Repentance
Alma 34:8-17
D&C 58:42-43
D&C 61:2
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
Bible Dictionary: "Repentance"
Redemption and Forgiveness
Helaaman 5:10-11
Mercy Claims the Penitent
Alma 12:32-35
Alma 42:13, 21-24
D&C 18: 10-13
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