The Invitation to Hear Him

by DoctrinesJesus Christ

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the invitation to hear Him. How do I hear Him? Where do I hear Him? When do I hear Him?

How do I hear Him? – President Nelson teaches that we “more clearly hear Him as we refine our ability to recognize the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. It has never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you than right now. In the Godhead, the Holy Ghost is the messenger. He will bring thoughts to your mind which the Father and Son want you to receive. He is the Comforter. He will bring a feeling of peace to your heart. He testifies of truth and will confirm what is true as you hear and read the word of the Lord.”1

I love Boyd K. Packer’s explanation, “The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear. It is described as a ‘still small voice.’ And while we speak of ‘listening’ to the whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, ‘I had a feeling …’”2

Understanding how the Spirit speaks to us personally is so important. I reluctantly share a not-so-good personal experience. My dad’s mom was one of the sweetest women ever! I don’t ever remember hearing her complain. She was gentle and loving and giving. I learned so many valuable lessons from my grandma! Sadly, she spent her last few years battling cancer. One morning I needed to run a quick errand. At the time I had small children, so when my husband offered to go to work a minute late, I gladly accepted and told him I would hurry. On my way home, I got the impression that I should go see Grandma. I brushed the thought aside, telling myself I would go later since I really needed to let my husband get to work. Several hours later, I got a call from my sister who had gone to visit Grandma. When she arrived, Grandma was laying on the kitchen floor, unable to move. She had gone in to fix herself some breakfast and had fallen.  She laid, shivering on the cold, hard floor for hours, in and out of consciousness, with a broken hip. The prompting I had received was within minutes of her fall.  Because I ignored it, my sweet grandma endured needless hours of pain and suffering. I felt sick! I had not recognized that impression as a prompting from the Holy Ghost. That day I asked Heavenly Father to forgive me for ignoring the Spirit and promised to never do that again.  Every day I try to keep that commitment to my Heavenly Father. It takes conscious effort to hear spiritual promptings in an increasingly noisy and casual world.

Where do I hear Him? – In 3 Nephi 17:3, the Savior Himself tells us, “ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds.”3 Surely we can and will hear Him as we read, ponder and study the scriptures, and when we are on our knees in humble prayer. One of my favorite places to hear Him is in the temple. I love to be in His holy house! Remember, spiritual impressions come when we are quiet enough to hear them. They continue to come as we listen to and act upon them.

When do I hear Him? – If we prepare ourselves spiritually, we can hear Him anytime and anywhere. No matter what is going on around us, if everything is right within us, we will hear Him. President Nelson has warned us that “it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”4 He has encouraged us, even pleaded with us, to “hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.”4 Earlier this month, he said, “I renew my plea for you to do whatever it takes increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation.”1 I think that is so significant! This isn’t just a suggestion for us, it’s a plea. 

When I think of pleading, I think of those times when I have needed Heavenly Father’s help more than anything else—when I needed something only He could give me. Our pleadings are often in our most trying times. President Nelson reminds us, “Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son. Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance.”1 When we hear Him, He can heal us. When we hear Him, He can comfort us. When we hear Him, He can teach us. When we hear Him, He can guide us.

Oh how wise we will be to follow the prophet’s counsel to increase our spiritual capacity. He said, “In those two words—’Hear Him’—God gives us the pattern for success, happiness, and joy in this life. We are to hear the words of the Lord, hearken to them, and heed what He has told us! As we seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ, our efforts to hear Him need to be ever more intentional.”1

It is difficult to comprehend the peace and protection we will feel in our lives when we truly know how, where and when to hear Him.

References:

1.  Hear Him – Russell M. Nelson

2.  Personal Revelation: The Gift, The Test and the Promise – Boyd K. Packer

3.  3 Nephi 17:3

4.  Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives – Russell M. Nelson

Sunday Will Come

by DoctrinesJesus Christ

I always look forward to general conference, but this time I felt a greater anticipation. In October, President Nelson said that this general conference would be different. He also promised that if we would prepare ourselves, it would be memorable and unforgettable.  Sometimes when we are so excited for something to happen, when it is over, we feel a little let down. Not so with this general conference! It was indeed memorable and unforgettable for me!  

Palm Sunday is the commemoration of Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On this special day, He was greeted by the people waving palm branches and shouting hosanna, “bearing testimony of our Lord’s divine Sonship. In plain language they [were] hailing Jesus as the Son of David, the Deliverer of Israel, their Savior and Redeemer, the promised Messiah, the Son of God. And they [were] doing it wittingly, deliberately using the sacred expression, Hosanna, … [which] means literally, save now, or save we pray, or save we beseech thee.”1

One particularly sacred moment during conference was the opportunity to stand in my home with my family and acknowledge Jesus Christ as my Savior and my Redeemer, the promised Messiah. I was overwhelmed as I tried to imagine joining with millions of members of the Church across the world in a united plea to God to save.

The prophet has again invited us to unitedly petition our Heavenly Father on Friday for relief from the devastating affects of the coronavirus pandemic. I am humbled at being a part of such a great cause.  This Friday – Good Friday – we are being asked to make an incredibly small sacrifice to fast and pray that the Lord will bless the world on the very day the world commemorates the Savior’s ultimate sacrifice.

Easter season is a glorious time – a time to reflect on the eternal truth that, because of Jesus Christ, there are always better days ahead.

 One of my favorite Easter talks was given by Joseph B. Wirthlin many years ago.  He taught, “I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest. But the doom of that day did not endure. The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death.  

“He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind. And in an instant the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, stood before them as the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence.

“Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.

“But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. … No matter how dark our Friday, Sunday will come.”2 

Because of the Savior, Jesus Christ, we have hope even when things around us may seem hopeless!

There is so much for us to consider during this week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.  Jeffrey R. Holland reminds us, “As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear. This Easter week and always, may we stand by Jesus Christ ‘at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death,’ for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone.”3 

I am so very grateful for my Savior!  I love Him!  I boldly declare my devotion to Him!

References: 

1.  The Triumphal Entry  – New Testament Manual

2.  Sunday Will Come – Joseph B. Wirthlin

3.  None Were With Him – Jeffrey R. Holland

Becoming More Christlike

by Christlike AttributesJesus Christ

Becoming more Christlike is October’s doctrinal study.  When we are baptized, we promise to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ.  What exactly does that mean?   Perhaps the simple words from a Primary song teach us best.  “I’m trying to be like Jesus.  I’m following in His ways.  I’m trying to love as He did in all that I do and say.”1  The Savior is our perfect example!  Some of the characteristics He exemplified are obedience, patience, purity, diligence, humility, faith, hope, and charity.  Acquiring these characteristics throughout our lives will be challenging and ongoing.  Yet that is exactly what we have been instructed to do.  Remember what the Savior told the Nephites when He visited with them after His resurrection.  “What manner of men ought ye to be?  Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”2


We can never be like the Savior if we do not know who He is or how He lived.  This is something King Benjamin warned his people about.  He said, “For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?”3   To truly understand how to be even as the Savior is, a serious study of the His life is imperative.  We must learn as much about Him as we can, knowing how He interacted with others and especially how He interacted with His Father.  Only then can we really learn how to become more Christlike.  When He is in our thoughts daily and our love for Him effects our actions and interactions, as promised in the sacrament prayers, we will be able to have His Spirit with us always.  With that incredible gift, we will be able to develop Chrlistlike characteristics.


One of the things I often pray for is to become more Christlike.  One day I realized the need to be a little more specific in that.  So, now some days I pray for more patience.  Other times it is to be more humble. Often I pray to have deeper charity.  David A. Bednar’s conference talk on meekness really hit home to me!  I had never thought to pray for that!  I have noticed that when I pray for meekness, I seem to have more patience, more humility and more charity, even without specifically praying for them.  Surely that is becasuse, as Elder Bednar reminded us, meekness is “the foundation from which all spiritual capacities and gifts arise.”4  And for that reason I have chosen his talk as our focus, although there are many talks from April’s conference that teach us about other divine characteristics of Jesus Christ and which are equally worth our study.


Sometimes people think of meekness as weakness.  It is definitely not!  Elder Bednar defined it like this, “Meekness is strong, not weak; active, not passive; courageous, not timid; restrained, not excessive; modest, not self-aggrandizing; and gracious, not brash.  A meek person is not easily provoked, pretentious, or overbearing and readily acknowledges the accomplishments of others. … Meekness is the principal protection from the prideful blindness that often arises from prominence, position, power, wealth, and adulation.”4


Elder Bednar taught that meekness is “a vital aspect of the Savior’s divine nature that each of us should strive to emulate.”4  To help us to learn more about and better understand meekness, he shared three examples.  First he noted the similarities between the rich young man in the New Testament and Amulek in the Book of Mormon.  While the young man the Savior interacted with had kept the commandments, he could not give up his worldly possessions and continue following the Savior.  On the other hand, after being instructed by an angel, Amulek was “spiritually awakened” and gave up his wealth, his family, and his friends to follow the Savior for the rest of his life.


The second example was Pahoran’s response to a letter he received from Moroni.  To put it mildly, it was a harsh letter!  Moroni wasn’t receiving the support he needed for his army and was accusing Pahoran of not only neglecting their needs but also of being a traitor.  Elder Bednar said, “Pahoran easily might have resented Moroni and his inaccurate allegations, but he did not. He responded compassionately and described a rebellion against the government about which Moroni was not aware.”4  Pahoran’s response to Moroni was, “I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul. … In your epistle you have censured me, but it matterth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart.”5   


The last example was President Nelson’s and President Eyring’s response to President Monson’s request given during the April 2017 General Conference.  He implored the members of the Church to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon every day.  Immediately these two apostles of God heeded the counsel of the prophet.  The following general conference, each shared the life-changing experience this had been.  


Elder Bednar said, “I am not suggesting that the spiritually strong responses of Amulek, Pahoran, President Nelson, and President Eyring are explained by only one Christlike quality. Certainly, many interrelated attributes and experiences led to the spiritual maturity reflected in the lives of these four noble servants. But the Savior and His prophets have highlighted an essential quality that all of us need to more fully understand and strive to incorporate into our lives. … Meekness is a defining attribute of the Redeemer and is distinguished by righteous responsiveness, willing submissiveness, and strong self-restraint. This quality helps us to understand more completely the respective reactions of Amulek, Pahoran, President Nelson, and President Eyring.”4


Imagine how our lives will be blessed when we, in meekness, righteously and rapidly respond to the prophet of God, when we willingly submit to God’s will, and when we, with perspective and strong self-restraint, act rather than react. 


So how can we develop this vitally important divine attribute?  Elder Bednar taught, “Meekness is an attribute developed through desire, the righteous exercise of moral agency, and striving always to retain a remission of our sins.  It is also a spiritual gift for which we appropriately can seek. … As we come unto and follow the Savior, we increasingly and incrementally are enabled to become more like Him.  We are empowered by the Spirit with disciplined self-restraint and a settled and calm demeanor.  Thus, meek is what we become as disciples of the Master and not just something we do.”4


Because Jesus Christ is the perfect example of meekness, we know that our greatest learning comes from Him.  His Atonement is the greatest evidence of willingly submitting to His Father’s will.  Think about the events from Gethsemane to Golgotha.  He showed us perfectly what it means to righteously and rapidly respond, to willingly submit and to be blessed with perspective and strong self-restraint to act rather than react.


This is the most supreme act of love that this world has even known.  It can and will bless us every day if we choose to let it.  We need the power of His Atonement to help us change and become more like Him. “Meekness,” Elder Bednar said, “can be received and developed in our lives because of and through the Savior’s Atonement.”4  Without meekness we will never be able to develop the Chrlistlike attribute of charity.


I think some of the most beautiful scriptures are found in Moroni 7:44-48.  Charity and other divine characteristics of Christ are listed in these scriptures and their relationship to each other explained. Verse 48 is my favorite!  “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.”6  I love the words “when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”  Only if we know what meekness and charity look like and feel like will we recognize the Savior.  Only if we are meek and full of charity will we be like Him.


To my favorite scripture, I add one of my favorite hymns.  When I need of a gentle reminder of how I am supposed to be and who I am supposed to become, those scriptures and this hymn help me keep the proper perspective on the things that matter most.


More holiness give me,
More strivings within,
More patience in suff’ring,
More sorrow for sin,
More faith in my Savior,
More sense of his care,
More joy in his service,
More purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me,
More trust in the Lord,
More pride in his glory,
More hope in his word,
More tears for his sorrows,
More pain at his grief,
More meekness in trial,
More praise for relief.

More purity give me,
More strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains,
More longing for home.
More fit for the kingdom,
More used would I be,
More blessed and holy—
More, Savior, like thee.7


I love my Savior!  I am so grateful for His perfect example.  I know from personal experience that following His example of meekness will bring a settled peace in our lives that can come in no other way. Knowing how He lived and responded to the challenges in His life will help us as we try to figure out our own challenges.  There is nothing we go through in this life that He cannot help us with.  He has showed us how we should live and how we should love.  “What manner of men ought ye to be?  Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”2 


Russell M. Nelson once said, “If you really want to be like the Lord … you will remember that your adoration of Jesus is best shown by your emulation of Him.”8  Our challenge is to love Him enough to become more like Him.

References:

1.  I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Children’s Songbook

2.  3 Nephi 27:27

3.  Mosiah 5:13

4.  Meek and Lowly of Heart – David A. Bednar

5.  Alma 61:9

6.  Moroni 7:48

7.  More Holiness Give Me – Hymn 131

8.  Endure and Be Lifted Up – Russell M. Nelson

Jesus Christ is Our Example of Honoring the Sabbath

by DoctrinesJesus Christ

As we study the suggested scriptures in March’s fourth Sunday lesson, “Jesus Christ is our Example of Honoring the Sabbath,” we find the common theme of healing. In each of these scriptures, we learn that Jesus healed people of their various infirmities on the Sabbath day. One of the ways we can honor the Sabbath is by worthily partaking of the sacrament. And as we do, how tenderly symbolic it should be to us personally that each Sabbath day the Savior can heal us too!

Let’s consider for a moment what happened at the pool of Bethesda. The pool of Bethesda was believed to have special healing powers for the first one who entered the water as the mineral spring began to bubble up. Many would gather, with their various afflictions, anxiously awaiting their chance to be healed. Carl Bloch’s painting gives us an insightful look into what was happening here. Some were near the water’s edge. Others were conversing. All but one had their eyes fixed on something other than the Savior. To this one man, the Savior asked, “Wilt thou be made whole?” The man explained that he had no one to help him into the water and, try as he might, someone would invariably get in the water before he had a chance. Then Jesus said to him, “Rise, take thy bed, and walk.” The scriptures teach us that “immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.”1 Dieter F. Uchtdorf recently reaffirmed, “The healing power of Jesus Christ is not absent in our day. The Savior’s healing touch can transform lives in our day just as it did in His.”2 How often are we, like those at the pool of Bethesda, waiting to be healed without looking to the Master Healer?

Of course the Savior’s healing is not only available to us on the Sabbath day. Nor is His healing only for sin. Russell M. Nelson reminds us that during Jesus’ earthly ministry He “went about preaching the gospel and healing all types of sickness. When the risen Redeemer appeared to the people of ancient America, He mercifully invited those ‘afflicted in any manner’ to come unto Him and be healed.”3

David A. Bednar teaches, “The Savior has suffered not just for our sins and iniquities—but also for our physical pains and anguish, our weaknesses and shortcomings, our fears and frustrations, our disappointments and discouragement, our regrets and remorse, our despair and desperation, the injustices and inequities we experience, and the emotional distresses that beset us. There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound, no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness you or I ever confront in mortality that the Savior did not experience first. In a moment of weakness we may cry out, ‘No one knows what it is like. No one understands.’ But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne our individual burdens. And because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice (see Alma 34:14), He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power.”4

Especially at this time of year when we celebrate Easter, these words of President Nelson remind us not only of the Savior’s healing but also of His grace and the hope and peace we can have because of Him. “The gift of resurrection is the Lord’s consummate act of healing. Thanks to Him, each body will be restored to its proper and perfect frame. Thanks to Him, no condition is hopeless. Thanks to Him, brighter days are ahead, both here and hereafter. Real joy awaits each of us—on the other side of sorrow.”3

Whatever our affliction, the Master Healer desires to make us whole. But we must come to Him. There must be some action on our part. The scriptures repeatedly teach us to “come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel,”5 so that we can “partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption,”5 “lay hold upon every good gift,”6 “partake of the goodness of God”7 and, ultimately, “be perfected in him.”8 Think of how that applies to the Sabbath, especially during the sacrament. It is then that we can truly “partake of the power of his redemption and “be perfected in him.” We can more fully honor the Sabbath when we come to church ready to “partake of the goodness of God” and “lay hold on every good gift” that is offered there.

As a young surgeon, President Nelson found the Sabbath to be a day quite literally for personal healing. He said, “By the end of each week, my hands were sore from repeatedly scrubbing them with soap, water, and a bristle brush. I also needed a breather from the burden of a demanding profession. Sunday provided much-needed relief. … The Sabbath [is the Savior’s] gift to us, granting real respite from the rigors of daily life and an opportunity for spiritual and physical renewal.”9

We have been commanded to “remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”10 “The Savior identified Himself as Lord of the Sabbath,” said President Nelson. “It is His day! Repeatedly, He has asked us to keep the Sabbath or to hallow the Sabbath day. We are under covenant to do so. How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, ‘What sign do I want to give to God?’ That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.”9

The question President Nelson asked himself, “What sign do I want to give to God?” is particularly instructive. Honoring the Sabbath is a very personal thing! It is between us and God. As you will recall in the scriptures we studied for this month’s lesson, each time the Savior healed someone on the Sabbath, there were those who were waiting to find fault with Him and what He was doing on the Sabbath day. Oh how we ought to be careful not to be as those finding fault with the Savior and judge how others keep the Sabbath day!

Quentin L. Cook said, “Honoring the Sabbath is a form of righteousness that will bless and strengthen families, connect us with our Creator, and increase happiness. The Sabbath can help separate us from that which is frivolous, inappropriate, or immoral. It allows us to be in the world but not of the world. … Truly keeping the Sabbath day holy is a refuge from the storms of this life. It is also a sign of devotion to our Father in Heaven.”11

Recently there has been a renewed emphasis on Sabbath day worship. Neil L. Andersen gave this explanation, “As we find our way in a world less attentive to the commandments of God, we will certainly be prayerful, but we need not be overly alarmed. The Lord will bless His Saints with the added spiritual power necessary to meet the challenges of our day. … As evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous. As the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence in the spiritual direction they are traveling. The gift of the Holy Ghost becomes a brighter light in the emerging twilight. … The First Presidency and the Twelve have felt an undeniable direction from the Lord to declare and reemphasize the Sabbath day and the importance of worthily partaking of the sacrament. As we take the sacrament, we remember the Savior and His Atonement. We come repenting of our sins, pledging our loyalty to covenants made with Him, and hearing again the promises He makes to us. To always have His Spirit with us is a pearl of enormous value. Receiving the sacrament on Sunday is more and more like an oasis in the desert, bubbling with cool spring water, quenching our spiritual thirst, and relieving our parched souls. … Can you see the Lord’s purposes in helping us to more fully honor the Sabbath day? … This added spiritual power does not just fall upon us. It comes as we act.”12

Great are the promised blessings for honoring the Sabbath day. May we more fully honor the Sabbath day by following the example of our Savior. As we do, we will find healing for our souls and spiritual power to bless our lives.

References:

 1. John 5:6-9

  2. Bearers of Heavenly Light – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

  3. Jesus Christ—the Master Healer – Russell M. Nelson

  4. Bear Up Their Burdens With Ease – David A. Bednar

 5. Omni 1:26

  6. Moroni 10:30

  7. Jacob 1:7

  8. Moroni 10:32

  9. The Sabbath is a Delight – Russell M. Nelson

10. Exodus 20:8

11. Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times – Quentin L. Cook

12. A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous – Neil L. Andersen

Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath

by DoctrinesJesus Christ

February’s discussion on the Sabbath begins by asking the question “Why do you think that Jesus Christ is called the Lord of the Sabbath?”  As we study the outlined scriptures, keeping that question in our minds and in our hearts, I believe the answer to that question will be clear and we will gain some very personal insights.

Let’s begin with the scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 and 37, reading it as if it were written to each of us personally.  The Savior is speaking here.  What is He saying to me?  “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.  Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.”1  There is so much packed in these two scriptures!  Is He not telling us to look at the wounds in his hands, feet and side?  Is He not telling us that because of His atoning sacrifice, if we are faithful and keep the commandments, we have nothing to fear?  If we look to Him always and in all things, there is no reason to doubt?  And is there a more beautiful assurance that, because of Him, one day we can return to our heavenly home to live with Him and our Heavenly Father?

The two scriptures in Ether and Moroni are also invitations to us.  In them, Moroni invites us to seek Jesus so that grace “may be and abide in you forever”2 and to come unto Christ “that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ” and “sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.”3  These three scriptures invite us to look, seek and come.  Looking, seeking and coming all have the purpose of drawing us to the Savior, allowing His Atonement to change us and redeem us.

Surely we can see some of the words in each of these scriptures helping to point our thoughts to the ordinance of the sacrament.  As we partake of the emblems of the sacrament, it is a tangible as well as a spiritual reminder that Jesus Christ truly is the Lord of the Sabbath. 

D. Todd Christofferson recently taught, “The symbolism of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is beautiful to contemplate.  The bread and water represent the flesh and blood of Him who is the Bread of Life and the Living Water, poignantly reminding us of the price He paid to redeem us.  As the bread is broken, we remember the Savior’s torn flesh. … As we drink the water, we think of the blood He shed in Gethsemane and on the cross and its sanctifying power.”4  He reminded us of the need to receive “the Savior’s atoning grace to take away our sins and the stain of those sins in us.”4  But there is something more Elder Christofferson wants us to remember.  It goes to the very heart of the Savior’s invitation to look unto Him in every thought, to Moroni’s invitation to seek Jesus and come unto Christ, and to our sacramental covenant to always remember Him.  “Figuratively eating His flesh and drinking His blood has a further meaning, and that is to internalize the qualities and character of Christ, putting off the natural man and becoming Saints ‘through the atonement of Christ the Lord.’  As we partake of the sacramental bread and water each week, we would do well to consider how fully and completely we must incorporate His character and the pattern of His sinless life into our life and being.  Jesus could not have atoned for the sins of others unless He Himself was sinless.  Since justice had no claim on Him, He could offer Himself in our place to satisfy justice and then extend mercy. As we remember and honor His atoning sacrifice, we should also contemplate His sinless life.  This suggests the need for a mighty striving on our part.  We cannot be content to remain as we are but must be moving constantly toward ‘the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.’”4

So how do we accomplish this “mighty striving”?  Certainly the sacrament is a tremendous blessing to aid us in that striving.  Each week we can begin anew, repenting, making necessary corrections in our striving and worthily partaking of the sacrament.  Robert D. Hales testified that “the sacrament give us an opportunity to come to ourselves and experience ‘a mighty change’ of heart—to remember who we are and what we most desire.”5  But mighty striving cannot be a Sunday-only thing.  Cheryl A. Esplin said, “As we partake of the sacrament, we witness to God that we will remember His Son always, not just during the brief sacrament ordinance.  This means that we will constantly look to the Savior’s example and teachings to guide our thoughts, our choices, and our acts.”6

Grace also plays an important part in our striving.  Sometimes we find it hard to define or fully understand grace.  I have truly enjoyed my additional study on the subject.  The Bible Dictionary defines grace as the “divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.  … It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means.  This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.”7 

The apostles and prophets speak often of grace.  These are a few of my favorite quotes:

“While Jesus is the only one to have led a sinless life, those who come unto Him and take His yoke upon them have claim on His grace, which will make them as He is, guiltless and spotless.” – D. Todd Christofferson8 

“Trust and confidence in Christ and a ready reliance on His merits, mercy, and grace lead to hope, through His Atonement. …The power of the Atonement makes repentance possible and quells the despair caused by sin; it also strengthens us to see, do, and become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity.” – David A. Bednar9 

“The mercy and grace of Jesus Christ are not limited to those who commit sins either of commission or omission, but they encompass the promise of everlasting peace to all who will accept and follow Him and His teachings.  His mercy is the mighty healer, even to the wounded innocent.” – Boyd K. Packer10 

“By His grace He will do for you what you cannot do for yourself.” – Neil L. Andersen11 

The beautiful sacrament hymn, “With Humble Heart,” reminds us of our dependence on the Savior and our need for His grace in our lives to become more like Him.

With humble heart, I bow my head

And think of thee, O Savior, Lord.

I take the water and the bread

To show remembrance of thy word.

Help me remember, I implore,

Thou gav’st thy life on Calvary,

That I might live forevermore

And grow, dear Lord, to be like thee.

To be like thee! I lift my eyes

From earth below toward heav’n above,

That I may learn from vaulted skies

How I my worthiness can prove.

As I walk daily here on earth,

Give me thy Spirit as I seek

A change of heart, another birth,

And grow, dear Lord, to be like thee.12  

The change of heart that we seek in our mighty striving would be in vain if not for the ordinances and covenants of the gospel and the grace of Christ.  As Elder Bednar explains, “Ordinances and covenants are the building blocks we use to construct our lives upon the foundation of Christ and His Atonement. We are connected securely to and with the Savior as we worthily receive ordinances and enter into covenants, faithfully remember and honor those sacred commitments, and do our best to live in accordance with the obligations we have accepted.  And that bond is the source of spiritual strength and stability in all of the seasons of our lives.”9

That leads us to our final scripture.  Helaman 5:12 is one of my favorites.  There are a few words in it that really stand out to me.  I find it particularly instructive that we are told to “remember, remember.”13  That seems to be both an admonition and a pleading.  And what are we to remember?—“that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation.”13  Oh how we should pay attention to the word must.  The word when is also quite instructive—“when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you.”13  It seems clear that we are being warned that Satan will tempt us and try to weaken us, quite aggressively in fact!  There is also a wonderful truth this scripture teaches.  Satan will “have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”13  This blessing is, however, conditional.  Why will Satan have no power over us?  The word if reminds us that it is imperative that we build our foundation on the Savior.  He is the source of that power which gives us the strength necessary to withstand Satan’s tactics.  But we must come to Him.  He must be our foundation.


What gratitude and love should fill our hearts as we contemplate what the Savior has done for us!  Especially on the Sabbath day, we should center our thoughts on Him.  Russell M. Nelson reminds us, “The Sabbath was given as a perpetual covenant, a constant reminder that the Lord may sanctify His people.  We partake of the sacrament on the Sabbath day in remembrance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  We covenant that we are willing to take upon us His holy name.  The Savior identified Himself as Lord of the Sabbath.  It is His day!”14

May we strive to more fully keep each Sabbath day holy.  May we look to the Savior in every thought.  As surely as we seek Him and come unto Him, we will find Him.  For as Jeffrey R. Holland lovingly reminded us, “In this and every hour He is, with nail-scarred hands, extending to us … grace, holding on to us and encouraging us, refusing to let us go until we are safely home in the embrace of Heavenly Parents.”15

References:

  1.  Doctrine and Covenants 6:36-37

  2.  Ether 12:41

  3.  Moroni 10:32

  4.  The Living Bread Which Came Down From Heaven – D. Todd Christofferson

  5.  Coming Unto Ourselves: The Sacrament, the Temple and Sacrifice in Service – Robert D. Hales

  6.  The Sacrament—a Renewal for the Soul – Cheryl A. Esplin

  7.  Grace – Bible Dictionary

  8.  Reflections on a Consecrated Life – D. Todd Christofferson

  9.  Therefore They Hushed Their Fears – David A. Bednar

10.  The Reason For Our Hope – Boyd K. Packer

11.  What Thinks Christ of Me? – Neil L. Andersen

12.  With Humble Heart – Hymn 171

13.  Helaman 5:12

14.  The Sabbath is a Delight – Russell M. Nelson

15.  Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually – Jeffrey R. Holland

The Sabbath Day: A Day to Remember What God Has Done for Us

by CommandmentsDoctrinesJesus Christ

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have been encouraged to increase our devotion to the Lord by more fully keeping the Sabbath day holy. A few years ago, Neil L. Andersen said, “The First Presidency and the Twelve have felt an undeniable direction from the Lord to declare and reemphasize the Sabbath day and the importance of worthily partaking of the sacrament.”1 One recent declaration came from David A. Bednar when he reminded us, “The Sabbath is God’s time, a sacred time specifically set apart for worshipping Him and for receiving and remembering His great and precious promises.”2


I am excited for the opportunity to study the Sabbath day as our fourth-Sunday curriculum for the next six months. I am confident that as we prayerfully study and participate in the monthly discussions we will come to understand, in a greater way, the reasons for this reemphasis and the blessings that will come as we heed the admonition of the prophets and apostles—blessings Elder Andersen calls “compensatory spiritual power for the righteous.” He promises, “As the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence in the spiritual direction they are traveling. The gift of the Holy Ghost becomes a brighter light in the emerging twilight. … This added blessing of spiritual power does not settle upon us just because we are part of this generation. It is willingly offered to us; it is eagerly put before us. But as with all spiritual gifts, it requires our desiring it, pursuing it, and living worthy of receiving it.”1 


January’s lesson is “The Sabbath is a Day to Remember What God has Done for Us.” We are reminded that there are mighty works that God has associated with the Sabbath. The three discussed in this lesson are the Creation, the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt and the Savior’s Resurrection. Reflecting on their significance and considering the symbolism each can have in our lives will help us remember some of the mighty works our Heavenly Father has done for us and will continue to do for us as we rededicate our lives to Him.


The Creation


“Under the direction of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created the heavens and the earth (see Mosiah 3:8; Moses 2:1). From scripture revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith, we know that in the work of the Creation, the Lord organized elements that had already existed (see Abraham 3:24). He did not create the world ‘out of nothing,’ as some people believe.”3   The symbolism I see here is that our Heavenly Father can make more of us than we currently are—new creatures, if you will. This is possible, however, only if we are willing to submit our will to His will. Neal A. Maxwell once said, “When you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!”4


When the Savior visited the Nephites after his Resurrection, an event which had been prophesied among this people for six hundred years, Jeffrey R. Holland teaches us something profound about what he calls the “introductory utterance from the resurrected Son of God.” Elder Holland said, “Of all the messages that could come from the scroll of eternity, what has he brought? … He speaks, ‘I am the light of the world; … I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, … I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.’  That is it. Just a few lines. Only fifty-two words. … I have thought very often about this moment in Nephite history. I cannot think it either accident or mere whimsy that the Good Shepherd in his newly exalted state, appearing to a most significant segment of his flock, chooses first to speak of his obedience, his deference, his loyalty, and loving submission to his father. In an initial and profound moment of spellbinding wonder, when surely he had the attention of every man, woman, and child as far as the eye could see, his submission to his father is the first and most important thing he wishes us to know about himself. Frankly, I am a bit haunted by the thought that this is the first and most important thing he may want to know about us when we meet him one day in similar fashion. Did we obey, even if it was painful? Did we submit, even if the cup was bitter indeed? Did we yield to a vision higher and holier than our own, even when we may have seen no vision in it at all?”5 


The Exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt


The exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt symbolizes leaving the world behind as we free ourselves from the bondage of sin. That freedom from sin comes only through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites celebrated their deliverance with a Passover meal, the sacrament is the weekly reminder of our own deliverance from the evils of this world and the sins which hold us down.

 
L. Tom Perry said, “During the administration of the sacrament, we set aside the world. It is a period of spiritual renewal as we recognize the deep spiritual significance of the ordinance offered to each of us personally. If we were to become casual in partaking of the sacrament, we would lose the opportunity for spiritual growth. Elder Melvin J. Ballard once said: ‘I am a witness that there is a spirit attending the administration of the sacrament that warms the soul from head to foot; you feel the wounds of the spirit being healed, and the load is lifted. Comfort and happiness come to the soul that is worthy and truly desirous of partaking of this spiritual food.’ (“The Sacramental Covenant,” Improvement Era, Oct. 1919, 1027)”6 

Speaking of the sacrament, Elder Holland reminds us that “every ordinance of the gospel focuses in one way or another on the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and surely that is why this particular ordinance with all its symbolism and imagery comes to us more readily and more repeatedly than any other in our life. It comes in what has been called ‘the most sacred, the most holy, of all the meetings of the Church’ (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56, 2:340). Perhaps we do not always attach that kind of meaning to our weekly sacramental service. How ‘sacred’ and how ‘holy’ is it? Do we see it as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption? With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions. As such it should not be rushed. It is not something to ‘get over’ so that the real purpose of a sacrament meeting can be pursued. This is the real purpose of the meeting.”7


The Resurrection of Jesus Christ


The symbolism of the Savior’s Resurrection is new life, renewal, transformation. Because of Him, we have an eternal perspective and can see beyond the things of this world. As we “look to God and live,”8 we find new life. As we follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, our lives are transformed.


“No doctrine in the Christian canon is more important to all mankind than the doctrine of the resurrection of the Son of God,” said Howard W. Hunter. “In spite of the great importance we place upon the resurrection in our doctrine, perhaps many of us may not yet have fully glimpsed its spiritual significance and eternal grandeur. If we had, we would marvel at its beauty. … It is the greatest of all of the miracles performed by the Savior of the world.”9


Russell M. Nelson reminds us, “The gift of resurrection is the Lord’s consummate act of healing. Thanks to Him, each body will be restored to its proper and perfect frame. Thanks to Him, no condition is hopeless. Thanks to Him, brighter days are ahead, both here and hereafter. Real joy awaits each of us—on the other side of sorrow.”10


Dallin H. Oaks teaches, “The ‘lively hope’ we are given by the resurrection is our conviction that death is not the conclusion of our identity but merely a necessary step in the destined transition from mortality to immortality. This hope changes the whole perspective of mortal life. The assurance of resurrection and immortality affects how we look on the physical challenges of mortality, how we live our mortal lives, and how we relate to those around us. The assurance of resurrection gives us the strength and perspective to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and by those we love, such things as the physical, mental, or emotional deficiencies we bring with us at birth or acquire during mortal life. Because of the resurrection, we know that these mortal deficiencies are only temporary! The assurance of resurrection also gives us a powerful incentive to keep the commandments of God during our mortal lives.”11 

Studying these mighty works—the Creation, the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt and the Savior’s Resurrection—has given me greater insight to and appreciation for the many mighty works Heavenly Father has done and for the mighty works He has done for me personally. I testify that as we submit our will to the Father’s, He can make of us more than we can ever make of ourselves. As we submit our will to His, we will desire to turn from the world and to the Savior. As we submit our will to His, we will be following the example of His Son, whose Resurrection offers us hope and joy in a fallen world. As we submit our will to His, the Sabbath day will be more holy and sacred to us. As we submit our will to His, we will come to know, in a very real and personal way, the compensatory spiritual power promised for the righteous.

References:

  1.  A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous – Neil L. Andersen

  2.  Exceeding Great and Precious Promises – David A. Bednar

  3.  LDS.org Topics – Creation

  4.  Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father – Neal A. Maxwell

  5.  Obedience: Submitting to the Will of the Father – Jeffrey R. Holland

  6.  As Now We Take the Sacrament – L. Tom Perry

  7.  This Do in Remembrance of Me – Jeffrey R. Holland

  8.  Alma 37:47

  9.  He is Risen – Howard W. Hunter

10.  Jesus Christ—The Master Healer – Russell M. Nelson

11.  Resurrection – Dallin H. Oaks

forgets himself

Losing Ourselves in the Service of Others

by Christlike AttributesJesus ChristSelf Improvement

The Savior’s life was filled with loving, serving and teaching. During these times, two simple words were an often-repeated request from Him, “follow Me.” But following Him is far from simple. To truly follow Him requires us to look outside of ourselves. It requires us to lose ourselves in the service of others.

Gordon B. Hinckley is an incredible example of someone who truly followed the Savior. At the beginning of Chapter 14, Losing Ourselves in the Service of Others, President Hinckley shares an experience that changed his life. As a young elder, he wrote to his father expressing his discouragement. His father’s response was, “Forget yourself and go to work.” Earlier that morning his scripture study had included the scripture found in Mark 8 which reads, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”1 He said, “Those words of the Master, followed by my father’s letter with his counsel to forget myself and go to work, went into my very being. With my father’s letter in hand, I went into our bedroom in the house at 15 Wadham Road, where we lived, and got on my knees and made a pledge with the Lord. I covenanted that I would try to forget myself and lose myself in His service. That July day in 1933 was my day of decision. A new light came into my life and a new joy into my heart.”

So what does Mark 8:35 mean to each of us personally? How can we lose our lives for the Savior’ sake and for His gospel? It is by forgetting ourselves and going to work! It is by following Him. Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “To follow Christ is to become more like Him. It is to learn from His character. As spirit children of our Heavenly Father, we do have the potential to incorporate Christlike attributes into our life and character.”2 May I suggest that it is through Christlike service that we demonstrate Christlike characteristics and make a place in our lives for those characteristics to take root and grow. It is only then, with a Christlike character, we are able to look outside of our own needs and serve others around us. David A. Bednar explains, “Perhaps the greatest indicator of character is the capacity to recognize and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering. … Thus, character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and instinctive response is to be self-absorbed and turn inward.”3 Elder Bednar shares a powerful example of someone losing herself in the service of others, reaching outward when it would have been instinctive, and very understandable, to turn inward. A faithful single mother, serving as the Relief Society president in his ward, lost her only child in a car accident. “On the day of her daughter’s funeral, this Relief Society president from my home ward received a phone call from an irritated sister in our ward. The complaining sister had a cold and did not feel well, and she basically chewed out the Relief Society president for not being thoughtful or compassionate enough to arrange for meals to be delivered to her home. Just hours before the funeral of her only child, this remarkable Relief Society president prepared and delivered a meal to the murmuring sister.”3

This woman knew the meaning of losing one’s self in the service of others! She had clearly learned the importance of turning her life over to the Savior and to His gospel. Do we understand that He can do that for us too? At the beginning of Chapter 8 in Mark, we read about Jesus twice feeding the multitudes with just a few loaves and fishes. What a great reminder that when we give our all in His service, He will add to it and make it enough! And even more!

I love this quote of President Hinckley’s, “He who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity.” To me this means that when we put our own interests and worries aside and serve others as the Savior would, we change and become a different, better person. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have tremendous opportunities to serve. How seriously do we take our callings, no matter what that calling is? If we merely go through the motions, we will never grow and blossom into what our Heavenly Father wants us to become. Nor will we bless others as He wishes them to be blessed. As we render Christlike service, President Hinckley challenges us to, “Get lost in the best cause in the world—the cause of the Lord. The work of the quorums, and of the auxiliary organizations, temple work, welfare service work, missionary work. You will bless your own life as you bless the lives of others. There is no other work in all the world so fraught with happiness as is this work. That happiness is peculiar. It comes of serving others. It is real. It is unique. It is wonderful.”

And it is also miraculous. Neil L. Andersen shared an exchange he had with President Monson while they were traveling on a train in Switzerland. He said, “I asked [President Monson] about his heavy responsibilities. His response strengthened my faith. ‘In the First Presidency, we do everything we can to move this work forward. But this is the Lord’s work, and He directs it. He is at the helm. We marvel as we watch Him open doors we cannot open and perform miracles we can scarcely imagine.'” Elder Andersen then reminded us all, “Seeing and believing the Lord’s miracles in establishing His kingdom on earth can help us see and believe that the Lord’s hand is at work in our own lives as well.”4

Are those miracles reserved for the prophets and apostles? I don’t think so. I believe when we serve our Heavenly Father He will bless us, and those we serve, in miraculous ways. When I think about my own life and the different callings I have had, I can see the Lord’s hand in bringing the right people, at the right time, into my life. And miraculous things have happened! I encourage you to think about your own experiences serving in the Church. I am confident that you will see miracles in your lives as well. Why? Because Heavenly Father knows and loves us individually. He knows not only where, but when and why, we need to serve. We need to show our love to Him by trusting Him.

President Hinckley reminds us, “Serve wherever you are called to serve. Do what you are asked to do. Every position you hold will add to your capacity. This … will require your unselfish devotion, your unyielding loyalty and faith. You will serve in many capacities before your lives are complete. Some of them may seem small, but there is no small or unimportant calling in this Church. Every calling is important. Every calling is necessary to the advancement of the work. Never demean a responsibility in the Church. … The Church may call upon you to make sacrifice. It may call upon you to give of the very best that you have to offer. There will be no cost in this, because you will discover that it will become an investment that will pay you dividends for as long as you live. The Church is the great reservoir of eternal truth. Embrace it and hold fast to it.” Often great sacrifices are required as we lose ourselves in service to others and for the Savior and His gospel. However, willing sacrifices bring great blessings.

Recently Henry B. Eyring taught, “When we walk the path of priesthood service, the Savior Jesus Christ goes with us, for it is His path, His way. His light goes before us, and His angels are round about us.”5 I believe that is true for any Christlike service we render. For when we are in His service, the Savior has promised, “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”6

President Hinckley gives us this challenge, which I pray we will take seriously, “May the real meaning of the gospel distill into our hearts that we may realize that our lives, given us by God our Father, are to be used in the service of others. If we will give such service, our days will be filled with joy and gladness. More important, they will be consecrated to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to the blessing of all whose lives we touch.”

President Hinckley consecrated his life to the Lord. He touched countless lives, both in and out of the Church. He was such a great blessing to the Church! It is impossible to know the far-reaching influence of his life! He was an apostle for almost 20 years before being called as a counselor to President Spencer W. Kimball. He subsequently served as a counselor for both President Benson and President Hunter. He became the prophet on March 12, 1995. As prophet, he issued “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” He announced a plan to build smaller temples and the creation of the Perpetual Education Fund. During his nearly 13 years as the prophet, he traveled over a million miles. And from June of 1983 until October of 2006, he dedicated or rededicated 92 temples.

For nearly three-quarters of a century, Gordon B. Hinckley was true to the pledge he made to the Lord on that July day in 1933 to forget himself and go to work! My hope is that we will follow his example and be found truly following the Savior.

References:

1. Mark 8:35

2. Christlike Attributes – The Wind Beneath Our Wings – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

3. The Character of Christ – David A. Bednar

4. Thy Kingdom Come – Neil L. Andersen

5. Walk With Me – Henry B. Eyring

6. Doctrine & Covenants 84:88

We Look to Christ

by DoctrinesJesus Christ

“Absolutely basic to our faith is our testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. We believe in Christ. We teach of Christ. We look to Christ. He is our Redeemer, our Lord, and our Savior,” proclaimed Gordon B. Hinckley in Chapter 8, We Look to Christ. 1  This lesson really speaks to my heart!  I’m sure it is no coincidence that this lesson will be taught on Easter and is filled with questions that help us think about what we truly believe and what we are willing to do because of those beliefs.


Part of the lesson comes from a talk given by Gordon B. Hinckley the day before Easter in 1966 during which he asks a thought-provoking question.  He said, “Multitudes will gather on a thousand hills to welcome the dawn of the Easter day and to remind themselves of the story of Christ, whose resurrection they will commemorate.  In language both beautiful and hopeful, preachers of many faiths will recount the story of the empty tomb.  To them – and to you – I raise this question:  Do you actually believe it?”


I suppose that at one time or another each of us will be faced with that question.  For me, it was the when my daughter passed away.  I remember thinking for a split second, “Is what I have been taught all my life really true?”  As quickly as the thought came, the sweet assurance from the Holy Ghost confirmed to me that it was!  It is hard to describe the tender feelings I had on Easter two short months later.  The love and gratitude I felt for the Savior was overwhelming.  Because of Him, I would be with my daughter again!  That Easter, and every one since, has had greater meaning to me.  


Joseph B. Wirthlin taught, “The Resurrection is at the core of our beliefs as Christians. Without it, our faith is meaningless. … When the Savior rose from the tomb, He did something no one had ever done. He did something no one else could do. He broke the bonds of death, not only for Himself but for all who have ever lived. … I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross. … I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest.  But the doom of that day did not endure.  The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.  I testify to you that the Resurrection is not a fable. We have the personal testimonies of those who saw Him. Thousands in the Old and New Worlds witnessed the risen Savior. They felt the wounds in His hands, feet, and side. They shed tears of unrestrained joy as they embraced Him. … The Resurrection transformed the lives of those who witnessed it. Should it not transform ours?”2  


For that transformation to occur, we need the Holy Ghost.   President Hinckley reminds us, “The things of God are understood by the Spirit of God.”  It is only through the Spirit that we will gain a testimony. He taught, “There is needed an understanding of his unique and incomparable position as the divine Redeemer and an enthusiasm for him and his message as the Son of God.”   That understanding will come as the Holy Ghost bears witness to us “that Jesus is in very deed the Son of God, born in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world resurrected from the grave, the Lord who shall come to reign as King of kings.  It is your opportunity so to know.  It is your obligation so to find out.”


But finding out is not the end of our spiritual journey.  In fact, it is really the just the beginning.  Gaining a testimony is not a one-time event but a life-time pursuit.  Harold B. Lee taught, “Testimony is as elusive as a moonbeam; it’s as fragile as an orchid; you have to recapture it every morning of your life. You have to hold on by study, and by faith, and by prayer. If you allow yourself to be angry, if you allow yourself to get into the wrong kind of company, you listen to the wrong kind of stories, you are studying the wrong kind of subjects, you are engaging in sinful practices, there is nothing that will be more deadening as to take away the Spirit of the Lord from you until it will be as though you had walked from a lighted room when you go out of this building, as though you had gone out into a darkness.  That which you possess today in testimony will not be yours tomorrow unless you do something about it. Your testimony is either going to increase or it is going to diminish, depending on you.”3


Does what I know change how I live?  President Hinckley asks a similar question in the lesson, “I ask anew the question offered by Pilate two thousand years ago, ‘What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?’  Indeed, we need continually to ask ourselves, What shall we do with Jesus who is called Christ?” 


What a great blessing it can be to us personally if we will reflect on the ways our lives have been blessed because we have learned from the Savior how to respond to the different situations in our lives.  With His loving example of obedience, forgiveness, and charity, we can know how our Heavenly Father wants us to live our lives.  “What shall we do with Jesus who is called Christ?  Learn of him. Search the scriptures for they are they which testify of him. Ponder the miracle of his life and mission. Try a little more diligently to follow his example and observe his teachings.”1


At the rededication of the Mesa Arizona Temple, President Hinckley was asked by a Protestant minister why, when the symbol of Christianity is a cross, there was no cross on the temple or any other of our buildings.  He told him that for us the cross was a symbol of a dying Christ and “our message is a declaration of the living Christ.” The minister then asked, “If you do not use the cross, what is the symbol of your religion?”  President Hinckley replied, “The lives of our people must become the only meaningful expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our worship.”  As he shared this experience with the members of the Church in April 1975 general conference, he gave us this charge, “Our lives must become a meaningful expression, the symbol of our declaration of our testimony of the Living Christ, the Eternal Son of the Living God.  It’s that simple, my brethren and sisters, and that profound and we’d better never forget it.”


I believe that is exactly what Linda K. Burton meant as she spoke about certain women in the scriptures “who bore positive, confident, firm, assured testimonies of the Savior.” Their lives were meaningful expressions of their testimonies.  So can ours be as we follow Sister Burton’s challenge to “be found staying close to Him in prayer and scripture study. Let us draw ourselves near to Him by preparing for and partaking of the sacred emblems of His atoning sacrifice weekly during the ordinance of the sacrament and as we keep covenants by serving others in their times of need. Perhaps then we might be part of the certain women, disciples of Jesus Christ, who will celebrate His glorious return when He comes again.”4  


May we be certain in our testimonies of the Savior, Jesus Christ, who “is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.  In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.”1

References:

1.  Chapter 8, We Look to Christ, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley

2.  Sunday Will Come – Joseph B. Wirthlin

3.  Chapter 5, Walking in the Light of Testimony, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee

4.  Certain Women – Linda K. Burton

True Greatness

by Christlike AttributesJesus ChristSelf Improvement

What is greatness? A quick search on the Internet can give you several definitions. Webster’s Dictionary defines great as “markedly superior in character or quality.” Another online dictionary site defined greatness as being larger than ordinary size or ability, or being higher in degree or importance.

But what is true greatness? Ezra Taft Benson said, “The only true test of greatness is how close a life can come to being like that of the Master, Jesus Christ.” A very similar thought was shared by Howard W. Hunter in Chapter 11, when he said that true greatness “is the thousands of little deeds and tasks of service and sacrifice that constitute the giving, or losing, of one’s life for others and for the Lord.” Using these definition of true greatness, think of all the truly great people you know!

The spouse who sees in you what you cannot seem to see in yourself.

The incredible single mom, who has such a heavy load to bear. And her family and friends who help bear that load with her.

Those who give so much of themselves to their Church callings – the bishop, Primary teacher, Elders Quorum president, early morning seminary teacher, Young Women leader.

Or the husband who lovingly takes care of his wife whose health is failing.

Neighbors who are watching out for each other.

The friend who instinctively knows just when you need her (or him).

The parent who loves even the most wandering child.

And what about those who have put their pasts behind them and are making better futures for those they love.

President Hunter had his own list. His include, “those of you who quietly and consistently do the things you ought to do. I am talking about those who are always there and always willing. I am referring to the uncommon valor of the mother who, hour after hour, day and night, stays with and cares for a sick child while her husband is at work or in school. I am including those who volunteer to give blood or to work with the elderly. I am thinking about those of you who faithfully fulfill your priesthood and church responsibilities and of the students who write home regularly to thank their parents for their love and support. I am also talking about those who instill in others faith and a desire to live the gospel—those who actively work to build and mold the lives of others physically, socially, and spiritually. I am referring to those who are honest and kind and hardworking in their daily tasks, but who are also servants of the Master and shepherds of his sheep.”

These are the people who would never think they are examples of true greatness – but they are! Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “We often don’t know the reach of a simple act of kindness.”1

President Hunter taught, ” To do one’s best in the face of the commonplace struggles of life—and possibly in the face of failure—and to continue to endure and to persevere in the ongoing difficulties of life when those struggles and tasks contribute to others’ progress and happiness and one’s own eternal salvation—this is true greatness.”

Struggles, failure, ongoing difficulties. While those words may sound a little grim – okay, maybe a lot grim – they are real life. And what I love about that quote is President Hunter is telling us that it is especially while we are going through the hard times that we are helping other people along their often bumpy road of life. And to help us keep an eternal perspective, he reminds us that “realizing who we are and what we may become assures us that with God nothing is really impossible.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin taught, “Every one of us has potential we can scarcely imagine. There is within each of us a divine spark of greatness. Who knows of what we are capable if we only try?”1

How very blessed I am to have such incredible people in my life who have kept trying especially when it was hard, who thought of others before themselves, who put God first, and who helped shape my life and my children’s lives. Most of these wonderful people the world would never consider great, but to me they are the epitome of true greatness.

I love this quote by President Hunter, which has a very special meaning today since it is Mother’s Day:

“Let us remember that doing the things that have been ordained by God to be important and needful and necessary, even though the world may view them as unimportant and insignificant, will eventually lead to true greatness.”

Reference:

1.  The Abundant Life  – Joseph B. Wirthlin

Adversity

by Christlike AttributesDoctrinesJesus Christ

“Life—every life—has a full share of ups and downs. Indeed, we see many joys and sorrows in the world, many changed plans and new directions, many blessings that do not always look or feel like blessings, and much that humbles us and improves our patience and our faith.” That quote is found in Chapter 3 of Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Howard W. Hunter. President Hunter taught often about adversity and the need for hope and encouragement as we journey through life. The lesson comes from four such talks – three from general conferences and one from a CES Fireside. Links to those talks are at the bottom of the page.

I remember well the first time I saw the Mormon Message entitled “The Refiner’s Fire.” (The link is below.) I don’t think any of us can truly anticipate how hard life can be at times. However, the strength this sweet sister finds through the Atonement of Jesus Christ is inspiring! It is the lesson we are all here to learn. That video epitomizes President Hunter’s reminder that in times of trouble, “Jesus Christ possesses the power to ease our burdens and lighten our loads.”

That quote also brought Elder David A. Bednar’s talk from April 2014 LDS General Conference to mind. He told the story of a friend who went into the mountains to cut and haul firewood. There was already some snow in the mountains. However, the farther up the mountain he got, the deeper the snow got. Having recently purchased his truck, this man was confident he could handle the snow and so he kept driving. Unfortunately he went too far and got stuck. The harder he tried to get out the more his wheels spun. He didn’t really know what to do or how he would get out. So he got out of his truck and went to cut the firewood he had come for. He completely filled the back of his truck with a heavy load of wood. He decided to try one more time to get out of the snow. Slowly the truck inched its way out and he was finally back on the road. Elder Bednar taught us this lesson about his friend, the truck and the load of firewood:

“For my friend, the load of wood provided life-saving traction. The empty truck could not move through the snow, even equipped with four-wheel drive. A heavy load was necessary to produce traction.

“It was the load. It was the load that provided the traction that enabled my friend to get unstuck, to get back on the road, to press forward, and to return to his family.

“The unique burdens in each of our lives help us to rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah (see 2 Nephi 2:8). I testify and promise the Savior will help us to bear up our burdens with ease (see Mosiah 24:15). As we are yoked with Him through sacred covenants and receive the enabling power of His Atonement in our lives, we increasingly will seek to understand and live according to His will. We also will pray for the strength to learn from, change, or accept our circumstances rather than praying relentlessly for God to change our circumstances according to our will. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14). We will be blessed with spiritual traction.”

By yoking ourselves to the Savior, President Hunter tells us we will have “the power and peace of standing side by side with a God that will provide the support, balance, and the strength to meet our challenges and endure our tasks here in the hardpan field of mortality.” And Elder Bednar tells us “we are not and never need be alone. We can press forward in our daily lives with heavenly help. Through the Savior’s Atonement we can receive capacity and strength beyond our own.”

Helping us learn to keep perspective through our trials, President Hunter teaches us:

“When the difficulties of mortality humble us and refine us and teach us and bless us, they can be powerful instruments in the hands of God to make us better people, to make us more grateful, more loving, and more considerate of other people in their own times of difficulty.

“We all have difficult moments, but even in the most severe of times, those problems were never intended to do anything but bless the righteous and help those who are less righteous move toward repentance.”

He also reminds us that “God knows what we do not know and sees what we do not see.” Adversity is a necessary part of life. It is part of God’s plan. He knows what is best for us and what will help us become who He wants us to be. Trust in His plan will bring peace during times of trial. Brigham Young said, “Every trial and experience you have passed through is necessary for your salvation.”

I really like how Orson F. Whitney said the same thing, with even greater depth:

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven.”

Perhaps the most beautiful talk I have read about trusting God and relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ while enduring adversity was the one given by Richard G. Scott the general conference following his wife’s death. He taught that adversity is evidence that the Lord feels we are prepared to grow and that those experiences stimulate growth, understanding and compassion which will benefit us eternally. He said, “To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.” I love his tender reminder:

“Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love.”

The entire talk is definitely worth reading!

President Hunter encouraged us to “have faith and hope, two of the great fundamental virtues of any discipleship of Christ” and that “if our faith and hope are anchored in Christ, in his teachings, commandments, and promises, then we are able to count on something truly remarkable.” He then leaves us this powerful promise:

“I promise you in the name of the Lord whose servant I am that God will always protect and care for his people. We will have our difficulties the way every generation and people have had difficulties. But with the gospel of Jesus Christ, you have every hope and promise and reassurance. The Lord has power over his Saints and will always prepare places of peace, defense, and safety for his people. When we have faith in God we can hope for a better world—for us personally, and for all mankind.”

Evidence of the Lord’s tender care during our afflictions can be readily found in the scriptures. Here are just a few:

1 Nephi 20:10 – I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

1 Nephi 21:13 – The Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

2 Nephi 4: 20 – My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions.

Jacob 3:1 – He will console you in our afflictions, and he will plead your cause.

Alma 26:27 – Bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

Alma 36:3 – I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

D&C 24:1 – I have lifted thee up out of thine afflictions, and have counseled thee.

D&C 24:8 – Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.

D&C 98:3 – All things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good.

D&C 121:7 & 8 – Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

As I look back on some of the hardest times in my life, I can see that was when my testimony grew the most. I could not have learned the things I have learned in any other way. Relying on the Savior, I had the strength to bear hard things. Holding fast to the covenants I have made, I found great hope. Faith to submit my will to the Father’s gave me peace. As I continue to align my will with His, I know I will be blessed with the strength, hope and peace I need to endure what is yet to come.

Additional Resources:

God Will Have a Tried People – Howard W. Hunter

The Opening and Closing of Doors – Howard W. Hunter

Come Unto Me – Howard W. Hunter

An Anchor to the Souls of Men – Howard W. Hunter

The Refiner’s Fire – Mormon Message

Finding a Safe Harbor – Joseph B. Wirthlin

Adversity – Henry B. Eyring

Bearing Our Burdens with Hope – Mormon Message