I have been reading a new book recently titles, "Pure in Heart" by Dallin H. Oaks. I haven't gotten too far into the book yet, but I have already felt the prick of the spirit telling me that I need to do better.
I was struck most in the beginning where Dallin H. Oaks talked about our thought and our actions. He says that when this life is over, our actions will be examined and judged, but we must not forget that our thoughts, motives and desires will also be judged as well. i guess i was really taken aback by this. I'm not sure why because this is something I really should know, right? However, I couldn't help but think back and examine my life and the many thoughts and feelings I have had. Have a always thought kind things of others, have I made sure that my desires were righteous, have my motives been pure? I don't think I can give a resounding yes. I know I'm not perfect, but I also know I can do much better. I want to be much more careful about my thoughts. I think in order to do that I really need to examine who I really am. What kind of a person have a become thus far? To quote from the book, "Elder Spencer W. Kimball elaborated on this principle in a chapter titled, "As a Man Thinketh." He referred to "our thought sins," which "are recorded in heaven." As to this, he taught: A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts." That really puts things into perspective, doesn't it? Our character is literally defined by the complete sum of all his thoughts. I guess I will spend the next month really examining my thoughts and finding out my true character.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
What Have I Done for Someone Today
I admit, when I first read this talk I felt a little guilty with some of my actions. I think I have been so focused on me and my issues that I have completely forgotten how important it is to be aware of others around me. I think I've been a bit selfish in my thinking. I couldn't have read this talk at a better time.
I think the part of this talk that hit me the most was this part. President Thomas S. Monson nailed me to a tee with this, "I am confident it is the intention of each member of the church to serve and to help those in need. At baptism we covenanted to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light." How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you've left it for others to help, feeling that "oh, surely someone will take care of that need." We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we're doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the "thick of thin things." In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes."
I am that person who always has good intentions of serving others, but in the end never seem to get around to it because I get so wrapped up in everything I have to get done. I also get so wrapped up in my own feelings of, why isn't anyone helping me, that I don't even notice if there are others around me suffering. I don't want to be selfish like that anymore. I want my kids to see me serving others and I want them to have the desire to do that as well.
When President Monson was concluding an interview, the reporter asked him what the idea gift that members worldwide could give to him, he responded, "Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for him or her."
I want to remember this challenge from our prophet and try to do this almost everyday.
I think the part of this talk that hit me the most was this part. President Thomas S. Monson nailed me to a tee with this, "I am confident it is the intention of each member of the church to serve and to help those in need. At baptism we covenanted to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light." How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you've left it for others to help, feeling that "oh, surely someone will take care of that need." We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we're doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the "thick of thin things." In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes."
I am that person who always has good intentions of serving others, but in the end never seem to get around to it because I get so wrapped up in everything I have to get done. I also get so wrapped up in my own feelings of, why isn't anyone helping me, that I don't even notice if there are others around me suffering. I don't want to be selfish like that anymore. I want my kids to see me serving others and I want them to have the desire to do that as well.
When President Monson was concluding an interview, the reporter asked him what the idea gift that members worldwide could give to him, he responded, "Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for him or her."
I want to remember this challenge from our prophet and try to do this almost everyday.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
More Diligent and Concerned at Home
I really enjoyed reading this talk. Very inspiring words to get me up and doing.
Elder Bednar talks of three things that we should be doing in our homes so that we can be more diligent and concerned in our homes. So that we can make our homes the best they can be.
1. Express love-and show it
2. Bear testimony-and live it
3. Be consistent
With each one of these things he says that many of us already know that we should be doing these things, "but what we know is not always reflected in what we do...as disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better."
I think this is true for me as well. I feel like I continue to gain great knowledge from reading the scriptures, attending church, preparing talks, listening to conferene, etc, but I'm not sure if I always take what I have learned and live it. At least not always to the fullest that I possibly can.
One of the last things he talks about is hypocrisy. He says that if we are to teach these things in our homes, then we must make sure that we are living these things. Little children are always watching. If we are preaching one thing and not actually living what we are teaching, they will notice. He says, "The hypocrisy in our lives is most readily discerned and causese the greatest destruction within our own homes. And children often are the most alert and sensitive when it comes to recognizing hypocrisy." How does that look to a child when they see their own parents not obeying what they have learned? This will in no way encourage them to live as we are asking them to. They need to see us doing these things in our homes.
"We can become more diligent and concerned at home as we are more faithful in learning, living, and loving the restored gospel of Jesus Christ."
Elder Bednar talks of three things that we should be doing in our homes so that we can be more diligent and concerned in our homes. So that we can make our homes the best they can be.
1. Express love-and show it
2. Bear testimony-and live it
3. Be consistent
With each one of these things he says that many of us already know that we should be doing these things, "but what we know is not always reflected in what we do...as disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better."
I think this is true for me as well. I feel like I continue to gain great knowledge from reading the scriptures, attending church, preparing talks, listening to conferene, etc, but I'm not sure if I always take what I have learned and live it. At least not always to the fullest that I possibly can.
One of the last things he talks about is hypocrisy. He says that if we are to teach these things in our homes, then we must make sure that we are living these things. Little children are always watching. If we are preaching one thing and not actually living what we are teaching, they will notice. He says, "The hypocrisy in our lives is most readily discerned and causese the greatest destruction within our own homes. And children often are the most alert and sensitive when it comes to recognizing hypocrisy." How does that look to a child when they see their own parents not obeying what they have learned? This will in no way encourage them to live as we are asking them to. They need to see us doing these things in our homes.
"We can become more diligent and concerned at home as we are more faithful in learning, living, and loving the restored gospel of Jesus Christ."
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
To Acquire Spiritual Knowledge
I was really strengthened by Elder Richard G. Scott's talk from Octobers general conference titled "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance." Lately I have been seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost in my life. I felt that I have been out of touch with the spirit. Not really because I have done anything terribly wrong, but because I have not made the effort to listen. I decided I needed to do better and have sought out how I can gain the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in my life again. As I have, I have prayer fervently for help and have come across many talks and quotes that have inpsired me and encouraged me to do better. This particular talk being one of them.
Elder Scott says, "Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly." But we are not left alone when faced with these difficult decisions. We have the assistance of the Holy Ghost. "It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistenly for your peace and happiness."
He then makes it a point to say that learning to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and receiving these promptings is not easy. He says, "I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising fath in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ."
I love that he says this. In todays world we are so used to having everything at our fingertips. We literally have access to the internet from a tiny device that we can keep in our pocket. We can access music, email, movies, etc. We live at a time where we are constantly asking ourselves, how can we make this work faster so that we can make our lives easier. But mastering the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit will not come this way.
He says that if it did come this easy, we would become weak and ever more dependant on Them. But that isn't how this life works. We must struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit for that essential personal growth.
This sounds difficult. In fact, as I have strived this past week and a half to have the Holy Ghost as my constant companion, I have felt that I have failed. It is difficult to always have your mind thinking of the Holy Ghost and the whisperings that may come. It is easy to get caught up in the day and to get caught up in what I see and hear at the moment. But Elder Scott promises that as we gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, our confidence in the impressions we feel can become more certain than our dependence on what we see and hear. What an amazing promise.
How do we gain experience with and have success in being guided by the Spirit? We must respond to, record and apply the first promptings that come to us. The Lord will not force us to learn. We must exercise our agency to authorize the Spirit to teach us. As we make this a practice in our lives, we will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance. Then we will recognize it more easily.
It really does sound like having the Spirit as our guide and listening to the those promptings takes much effort and hard work. We must live a life that is founded on the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ. We must avoid sin and keep ourselves clean and free from the carnal security that satan can so easily ensnair us in. We must have patience and practice and apply the correct principals that Elder Scott has talked of. Although I do not feel as though I have a personal understanding of the true extent that we can aquire spiritual knowledge, I can say that I have felt the spirit while reading the talk and can echo the same thoughts and feelings the Elder Scott shares in his testimony. We can learn to be constantly guided by the Holy Spirit in ALL aspects of our lives as we pray with all the fervor of our souls with humility and gratitude. That way we can be guided by the Savior and enjoy great peace and happiness. Isn't that what we want in this life? To find the true source of peace and happiness?
1. What can you do to enhance your capacity to be led to correct decisions in your life?
Repentance.
2. What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends?
3. What are the potential barriers to such communication that you need to avoid?
anger, hate, passion, fear and pride. Sin.
Elder Scott says, "Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly." But we are not left alone when faced with these difficult decisions. We have the assistance of the Holy Ghost. "It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistenly for your peace and happiness."
He then makes it a point to say that learning to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and receiving these promptings is not easy. He says, "I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising fath in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ."
I love that he says this. In todays world we are so used to having everything at our fingertips. We literally have access to the internet from a tiny device that we can keep in our pocket. We can access music, email, movies, etc. We live at a time where we are constantly asking ourselves, how can we make this work faster so that we can make our lives easier. But mastering the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit will not come this way.
He says that if it did come this easy, we would become weak and ever more dependant on Them. But that isn't how this life works. We must struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit for that essential personal growth.
This sounds difficult. In fact, as I have strived this past week and a half to have the Holy Ghost as my constant companion, I have felt that I have failed. It is difficult to always have your mind thinking of the Holy Ghost and the whisperings that may come. It is easy to get caught up in the day and to get caught up in what I see and hear at the moment. But Elder Scott promises that as we gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, our confidence in the impressions we feel can become more certain than our dependence on what we see and hear. What an amazing promise.
How do we gain experience with and have success in being guided by the Spirit? We must respond to, record and apply the first promptings that come to us. The Lord will not force us to learn. We must exercise our agency to authorize the Spirit to teach us. As we make this a practice in our lives, we will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance. Then we will recognize it more easily.
It really does sound like having the Spirit as our guide and listening to the those promptings takes much effort and hard work. We must live a life that is founded on the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ. We must avoid sin and keep ourselves clean and free from the carnal security that satan can so easily ensnair us in. We must have patience and practice and apply the correct principals that Elder Scott has talked of. Although I do not feel as though I have a personal understanding of the true extent that we can aquire spiritual knowledge, I can say that I have felt the spirit while reading the talk and can echo the same thoughts and feelings the Elder Scott shares in his testimony. We can learn to be constantly guided by the Holy Spirit in ALL aspects of our lives as we pray with all the fervor of our souls with humility and gratitude. That way we can be guided by the Savior and enjoy great peace and happiness. Isn't that what we want in this life? To find the true source of peace and happiness?
1. What can you do to enhance your capacity to be led to correct decisions in your life?
Repentance.
2. What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends?
3. What are the potential barriers to such communication that you need to avoid?
anger, hate, passion, fear and pride. Sin.
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