Sherri Dew teaches wonderful concepts in her book, "No One Can Take Your Place." The first chapter discusses how we stood by our Father and His Son in the most difficult circumstance and did not flinch, and how we will stand by Him again throughout mortality.
Flinch is defined as "to shrink from" or "to tense involuntarily in fear." There are so many things in this world that make me flinch - deceptions, snares, and even distractions which are inspired by Satan to trap and derail me from my safe return home to heaven. He does this by unleashing his fury against all who are determined to "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9). I have the challenge to stand loyally by God and not flinch now as I did in the pre-mortal life.
That's not an easy task with all of life's distractions, such as the internet and my fiction writing. For guidance, I study the lives of people who managed well the same challenge. The scriptures provide me with great examples of faithful, committed men and women who did not flinch. Moses' encounter with Lucifer is a perfect example for me to follow. Lucifer tried to tempt and deceive Moses four times. He said: "Moses, son of man, worship me" (Moses 1:12). Because Moses already had a marvelous experience with God, he could easily distinguish between God and Satan, so he wasn't fooled. He responded with: "Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not. I will not cease to call upon God." (Moses, 1:16, 18).
I am often able to tell when the Lord is speaking and when Satan is. The Lord prompts me to do good, while Satan tempts me to avoid doing good, since he has a hard time getting me to perform a horrible act. So far, I haven't beaten or murdered anyone, so he must be frustrated with me. But I need to read the scriptures more and pray more so I will not be distracted or deceived without even realizing it.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Blessings
When I was baptized at the age of nine, I was immersed in water, and then received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I have always known that if I am faithful, I can have His influence guide me on a daily basis. I did not know what that meant when I was nine, but I understand how the promptings of the Holy Spirit can keep me close to my Savior.
Through Him, I am blessed with certain spiritual powers called gifts of the Spirit. "All these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the Children of God" (D&C 46:26). One of these gifts include the knowledge and truths of the gospel, so that I can bless others.
I am grateful for the gift of understanding people and how the principles of the gospel can apply to my life every day. When new trials come, I can pray and read the scriptures. I love to read: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering" (D&C 46:17).
Through Him, I am blessed with certain spiritual powers called gifts of the Spirit. "All these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the Children of God" (D&C 46:26). One of these gifts include the knowledge and truths of the gospel, so that I can bless others.
I am grateful for the gift of understanding people and how the principles of the gospel can apply to my life every day. When new trials come, I can pray and read the scriptures. I love to read: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering" (D&C 46:17).
One of my favorite teachings is when the Lord revealed, "If a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through is diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much more the advantage in the world to come" (D&C 130:19). The Lord has commanded me in my Patriarchal blessing to 'learn of Him,' as much as I can about His work. This is one of my goals this year through this blog; reflections of where I have been and where I need to go, so that I may receive knowledge from the Holy Ghost. I need His Spirit to speak to my mind and heart.
When I am out in the country at night, I look up at the sky and see the millions of stars and sometimes one or two of the planets, I know that there is a God. Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet, wrote, "All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motions, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator" (Alma 30:44).
In the "Gospel Principles" book that is published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I learn about God. We have a women's Sunday class called Relief Society, where we read a lesson from this book. I have learned that the mountains, sea, sky, and beautiful plants testify that there is a God.
Since He is the father of my spirit, I call him Heavenly Father. Before I came to earth, I lived with Him and all of you. When He gave me the choice to come down here in a mortal body to learn, grow, and be tested through many trials that make up my earthly life, even though I do not remember it, I gladly accepted the offer and was born to my earthly mother. And I have learned so much already, but still have a lot more to learn about life.
In the "Gospel Principles" book that is published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I learn about God. We have a women's Sunday class called Relief Society, where we read a lesson from this book. I have learned that the mountains, sea, sky, and beautiful plants testify that there is a God.
Since He is the father of my spirit, I call him Heavenly Father. Before I came to earth, I lived with Him and all of you. When He gave me the choice to come down here in a mortal body to learn, grow, and be tested through many trials that make up my earthly life, even though I do not remember it, I gladly accepted the offer and was born to my earthly mother. And I have learned so much already, but still have a lot more to learn about life.
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