Summing it up

Well, I feel I've covered the basics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I will probably post thoughts periodically as I have spiritual learning experiences.  I hope this blog has been of help to someone.  It has been good for me, and deepened my faith and understanding.

A Guide to Lasting Happiness

Commandments, rules, laws.  Sometimes the reaction to these words are something like: Why can't I just do what I want to do?  Why should I let someone else tell me what to do?

Well...commandments from God are ALWAYS given for our benefit.  They are like a map given to us to help us be happy.  Disobedience brings sorrow.

However, God will not force us to obey.  He gives us the agency to choose.

I imagine God is pained when He watches us make poor choices that lead to misery, but He is patient with us and our weaknesses.  He waits, willing to bless us as we strive to obey His commandments.

"He that keepeth [God's] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things."

There is  no need for you or me, in this enlightened age when the fullness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth.  A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide--even obedience.  A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God. Obedience Brings Blessings, President Thomas S. Monson, April 2013.

What are the commandments of God?
Pray Often
Study the Scriptures
Keep the Sabbath Day Holy
Baptism and Confirmation
Follow the Prophet
Keep the Ten Commandments
Live the Law of Chastity
Obey the Word of Wisdom
Keep the Law of Tithing
Observe the Law of the Fast 

Obedience
D&C 130:20-21
John 14:15, 21
Ecclesiastes 12:13

Enduring to the End

I feel not yet worthy to write on this subject, seeing as I am probably not even halfway to the end of my life; but here is a portion of a talk given by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Have We Not Reason to Rejoice" given Oct. 2007.  It struck me that I need the companionship of the Holy Ghost to be able to endure to the end.  I had never really connected those two subjects; but we most definitely can not fully endure to the end and receive a fullness of the blessings God has in store for us without the Holy Ghost.

The gift of the Holy Ghost, given to us by our Heavenly Father and administered by one having authority, includes the merciful promise: “If ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:5). Through the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, every member of the Church can receive “the words of Christ” directly (2 Nephi 32:3), at any time or place. This personal divine guidance helps us to remain valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ and endure to the end of our days. Isn’t this wonderful!

Have we not reason to rejoice?

What Does It Mean to Endure to the End?

The scriptures teach us that once we have received the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, our task then is to “endure to the end” (2 Nephi 31:20).

When I was a young boy, “endure to the end” meant to me mainly that I had to try harder to stay awake until the end of our Church meetings. Later as a teenager I progressed only slightly in my understanding of this scriptural phrase. I linked it with youthful empathy to the efforts of our dear elderly members to hang in there until the end of their lives.

Enduring to the end, or remaining faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God. This belief distinguishes Latter-day Saints from many other Christian denominations that teach that salvation is given to all who simply believe and confess that Jesus is the Christ. The Lord clearly declared, “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7).

Therefore, enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life’s difficult circumstances or “hanging in there.” Ours is an active religion, helping God’s children along the strait and narrow path to develop their full potential during this life and return to Him one day. Viewed from this perspective, enduring to the end is exalting and glorious, not grim and gloomy. This is a joyful religion, one of hope, strength, and deliverance. “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25).

Enduring to the end is a process filling every minute of our life, every hour, every day, from sunrise to sunrise. It is accomplished through personal discipline following the commandments of God.

The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a way of life. It is not for Sunday only. It is not something we can do only as a habit or a tradition if we expect to harvest all of its promised blessings. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Enduring to the end implies “patient continuance in well doing” (Romans 2:7), striving to keep the commandments (see 2 Nephi 31:10), and doing the works of righteousness (see D&C 59:23). It requires sacrifice and hard work. To endure to the end, we need to trust our Father in Heaven and make wise choices, including paying our tithes and offerings, honoring our temple covenants, and serving the Lord and one another willingly and faithfully in our Church callings and responsibilities. It means strength of character, selflessness, and humility; it means integrity and honesty to the Lord and our fellowmen. It means making our homes strong places of defense and a refuge against worldly evils; it means loving and honoring our spouses and children.

By doing our best to endure to the end, a beautiful refinement will come into our lives. We will learn to “do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us]” (Matthew 5:44). The blessings that come to us from enduring to the end in this life are real and very significant, and for the life to come they are beyond our comprehension.

Life is Love

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!

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

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

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