This morning I read a talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson entitled, "As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten," from April 2011 General Conference. This talk is about how when God loves someone, he puts them through trials and hard times to help them become better. Elder Christofferson tells the story of Hugh B. Brown and a currant bush. This story has been turned into a mormon message that has really touched my heart. I hope it will touch yours as well.
Many times we, like the currant bush and President Brown, wish to call to God and ask, "How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here." But, God always replies with love and says, "I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to do." Then, when we have been humbled, we too can say, "Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for cutting me down, for loving me enough to hurt me." How often life is so hard and we really need the help of God but, we must be humble to accept His will and not our own.
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Esta mañana, yo estaba leyendo un discurso por élder D. Todd Christofferson se llama "Yo reprendo y disciplino a todos los que amo," de la Conferencia General de Abril 2011. Este discuro es sobre el amor de Dios para ayudarnos a ser mejores por medio de pruebas. Elder Christofferson compartió un cuento de Hugh B. Brown y un grosellero. Esto cuento es un mensaje mormón que tocó mi corazon. Espero que pueda tocarles también. (Si no puede entender inglés el cuento está en este discuro aquí).
Muchas veces, como el grosellero, esperamos llamar a Dios y pregutar, "Cómo pudiste hacerme esto? Creí que tú eras el jardinero aquí." Pero Dios, siempre con amor, responderá, "Yo soy el jardinero aquí, y sé lo que quiero que hagas." Entonces, cuando estábamos humildes, vamos a decir, "Gracias, Señor Jardinero, por talarme, por quererme lo suficiente para herirme." Muchas veces la vida es muy difícil y necesitamos la ayuda de Dios pero necesitamos ser humildes para aceptar su voluntad y no lo de nosotros.
Today my companion and I talked with a man who told us about someone being blessed for serving. This person had not been expecting this gift. They simply did it out of the goodness of their heart. His point was how we never know who we touch with something as simple as a smile.
This reminded me of the importance it is to do service for others. Service is a way for others to feel of Christ's love for them. This love is also called charity.
This morning, my companion and I did a lot of study on charity for a training with other missionaries. There are so many scriptures that revolve around this little word. I would like to share one of these:
Moroni 7:45-48 "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail- "
This verse can bring on a whole new meaning to the scripture found in Mosiah 2:17 when you place Christ in the place of Charity. If we do this, Moroni then reads, "And Christ suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not his own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not Christ ye are nothing, for Christ never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto Christ, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail- "
The first time I saw this back in high school was very powerful. When we do these things, when we have charity, we become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. When we do this, we are happier and will be blessed.
There is a hymn I love that is called, "Have I done any Good?" It is a good reminder to help those around us and see if we are doing what we should. The words are as follows:
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone's burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
(Chorus)
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.
There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, "Sometime I'll try,"
Who doesn't like food? Who doesn't need food? I know I love food and I need food. I had a friend tell me about a thought he had about how we need scriptures just like we need food. Just as food gives us nourishment and helps us strengthen ourselves, scripture study helps us strengthen our soul.
What would happen if we treated scripture study as we treat Thanksgiving (as though we will never eat/study again)? How much more we would gain out of it and how much greater our relationship would be with God, our Heavenly Father.
My picture (posted on facebook)
The world is changing and many of the standards the Lord has set are being changed, as well. But, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We need to treat things of God as something urgent and important. Who knows how much longer we have until this world will have to face the judgement of God?
2 Nephi 32:3 says, "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words or Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."
I have noticed that when I really try to follow God with urgency, my life is better and I feel I am doing God's will. When I study my scriptures more than just a verse here or there, I feel more edified and uplifted. I learn more and gain more understanding to help me in my life. I draw closer to God. The scriptures are for us to gain revelation from God of how we can be the person he wants us to be. So, why not "feast" as though it's Thanksgiving and be grateful for the words of God that have been given to man?
Many people have asked me if I feel like I'm missing out in not holding the Priesthood. My answer is always the same: no. I receive so many blessings from the Priesthood that I would not trade for anything. The Priesthood is held by men in the church who are worthy. They use this power to help the church and perform service. One of these services is blessings to heal the sick or comfort those who are struggling. In my life time, I have been blessed by both of these but, the ones that stand out the most right now are most recently. I will not be giving details but, I will give some basics to help you see why these were so meaningful to me:
A few weeks ago, someone gave us some shrimp tacos and they did not sit well in my stomach (because I am allergic). Because of this, my companion and I needed to return home and I took a 30 minute nap to try and see if I felt better. It did not help much. Then, some elders gave me a blessings and, within an hour, I felt better and it was as if I had not even been ill. This was a miracle for me because I was able to get back to missionary work and continue doing what I needed to.
Another was very recently. I have been feeling very stressed out by how I do not talk much, as was discussed in another blog post. I decided to get a blessing and two elders gave me a blessing of comfort. As words that I needed to hear were said, tears rolled down my cheeks and peace filled my heart as my burdens were made lighter.
I know that the Priesthood is restored on the earth today. There is no way 18 and 20 year old young men could have said what I needed to hear without the help of God. There is no way I could have been healed of feeling sick just by some young men saying I would be better. I have had too many experiences like this that have confirmed to me that the Priesthood is real and is again on the earth to help those in need. I know it is. I know it with all my heart. So, once again, I am happy to be a woman and be able to receive the blessings of the Priesthood and I would never change that.
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Video about the Priesthood and how it serves others.
Today I would like to open up a little bit to connect with those of you who happen to read this post. I am typically a very shy person and have struggled with that for a good chunk of my life. Now, I know you're probably thinking, "But, you're a missionary! Missionaries talk with everyone!"
Now, you see my dilemma.
When I was growing up it would take me at least a half hour of tears to make a phone call. Yes, it was that hard to talk with strangers. Obviously, it has gotten better from that point but, it is still something I struggle with.
This week, we had the opportunity to hear from Elder Don R. Clark. I felt edified and uplifted but, I also felt very overwhelmed because I realized how much I, myself, would need to change to be the kind of missionary I wanted to be. This stressed me out a lot and I became almost silent for a few days as I tried to think through how I would continue to work through this. During a talk with my companion, we talked about the changes I had made and I was able to sort through some of my struggle. Now, I'm not going to say I'm all of a sudden cured of my shyness. On the contrary, I am far from overcoming it but, I know who I can turn to for help. I can turn to God for help and answers through the scriptures and prayer. Here are a few of the scriptures I read that have given me strength:
Alma 26:27 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said:...bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." Doctrine & Covenants 58:2-4 "For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven... for after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand." Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
And so many more found in Doctrine & Covenants 84:88, 2 Kings 6:16, etc. I know God lives and can help us through our struggles if we turn to Him and seek his guidance to help us be the person he wants us to be.
How often do we talk about how Christ has blessed our life but, when asked to share it with others are too scared to do so? I know I am. It's a lot easier for me, as a missionary, to go up to random strangers on the street and talk about Jesus Christ and church than it is to talk to my own friends and family who are so close to me. Why is that? Is it because we fear being rejected? Do we fear we will lose their trust? Do we fear being labeled as a "churchy person?" Why do we fear these things?
Peter denying Christ lds.org
In John 14 we read, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid... If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I." (verses 27&28).
If we love Christ, we have no need to fear. It is the devil who makes us fear man more than God. It is hard to change this but, with prayer and a willing heart, it is possible. In the past weeks, I have reached out to a few friends and family to tell them about the joy I have found through Christ, many do not want to hear it but, in case one does, that is why I do it. It is very scary for me but, the scripture above, brings me peace and helps me to have the courage and love I need.
Even the greatest have fears. Remember the story of Peter when he denied Christ three times. He had seen Christ with his own eyes but, feared man around him. However, Christ says later, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? ... Feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17) If we love Christ, we need to rejoice in His life and resurrection and share His gospel and love with others around us so that they too can feel of the joy that comes from Him. I know that to be true. I feel so much happier after I have shared my testimony of my Savior with others that I love because I know I am doing what God wants me to do, especially when it is hard for me.
There have been many moments in my life when I have felt alone in this world. For those that try to follow Christ, it is easy to feel lost and alone when your friends are our partying and you are home. Even though these moments can be hard, they do pass and you can find strength through continuing to keep your standards and live the teachings of Christ. The video below is of the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, when he was in the Navy and stood up for being a "Mormon" (Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). He could have easily not but, he kept his standards and was blessed because of it.
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In High School, there were many weekends when I felt very alone. I felt like I was the only one who was sitting at home doing homework and spending time with family. When I got to college, however, I found out that had not been the case. Even though I felt I was the only one, there were others who also had sacrificed popularity for Christ. There are others now who do this. There are blessings. They may not be right now when we want them but, they will come to those who follow Christ.
