Remember that Its All a Process, Even for Christ

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  

Christ dealt with the natural man, "the flesh," just like we do.  And He overcame it.  That means in Him we can overcome it too.  Whatever weaknesses we have, through relying on Christ and letting ourselves go through a process rather than expect a quick fix or change, we can reach our potentials.  Our weaknesses really will become strengths.  I've been thinking about the scripture Ether 12:27 a lot this year, and I find it interesting that after we humble ourselves and have faith in Christ, HE is the one that makes weak things become strong unto us.  Not US.  Him.  And that is okay.  I have definitely seen this.  Sometimes I recognize that I'm experiencing a change within myself and I have no idea what that change is and how it is happening.  I just can tell that it is positive and from God.  It is because as I focus on my faith (manifested through obedience and diligence) and my humility (manifested through my prayers and perspective), God can mold me.  It is NOT a passive thing.  But we do have to let go.  We have to work hard while also letting go, which is a hard balance to find.  I'm learning about how to do that.  Let go of control while also working towards something.  But because Christ overcame it all, He is full of grace and truth and He wants to give it to us.  We are such lucky ducks!

For in the beginning was the Word, even the Son, who is made flesh, and sent unto us by the will of the Father.  And as many as believe on his name shall receive of his fullness.  And of his fullness have all we received, even immortality and eternal life, through his grace.

Both Christ and God made a huge sacrifice.  Christ was sent to us "by the will of the Father."  He had to sacrifice His Only Begotten for all of us.  The sacrifice of both of them enables us to "receive of his fullness" if we but believe on Christ's name.  What exactly is this "fullness?"  In the scriptures, fullness is referenced in connection to:

• Joy
• The Gospel  
• Glory (immortality and eternal life of man)
• Time
• Receiving the fullness of the law enables the fullness of glory
• Fullness of the wrath of God (at the end)
• The love of God enables His fullness
• The Earth
• Fullness of the Father
• And from John's words: "immortality and eternal life, through his grace"

I, for one, want to receive of the fullness of the Father, of joy, glory, love, everything God wants for us.  Basically to become what Christ chose to become.  How do we receive of this fullness?

I assume as Christ is our example, we must receive it as He has:

Ephesians 4:13

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

Ephesians 3:19

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God

3 Nephi 28:10

And for this cause ye shall have fulness of joy; and ye shall sit down in the kingdom of my Father; yea, your joy shall be full, even as the Father hath given me fulness of joy; and ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father; and the Father and I are one.  

D&C 93: 13- 14

And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness; And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first. 

John 1:16

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

 

Okay, so how do we receive of His fullness?

• Come in the unity of the faith
• Come in to the knowledge of the Son of God, little by little working towards "a perfect man" until we get to the "measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." 
• Know the love of Christ.  Because that is what gives us the knowledge of Him which enables us to be filled.
• Christ says that "the Father hath given [him] fulness of joy."  The only source of the fullness of joy is God.  We must receive it from the Father.  We must go to the right source
• We must allow ourselves to go through the process.  Christ went through this process much quicker than we will, but we have His help.  We must continue "grace to grace" until we receive a fullness.  This is how we BECOME the sons and daughters of God.  
• Not only do we receive it grace to grace, we receive it grace for grace.  I feel like this principle relates back to the whole light cleaveth unto light.  We attract more grace as we receive more. 

Overall, the thing that stuck out to me in this study is that we must allow ourselves to go through the process.  It is okay that we aren't perfect.  We aren't meant to be.  We are just meant to progress.  As we accept more of God's fullness in our lives, our weaknesses will be transformed into strengths and we will feel the love of Christ which will lead us to know Him which will lead us back to the Father!  The gospel is so beautiful.  

Well I love you!

Rachel  

Something New

Fun news! I got a new calling today. Whooot! Essentially, I have been called to be a "district leader" of sorts over 4 visiting teaching companionships. Whaaat. I have no idea what I am doing, girl. From what they told me, which wasn't a lot, I will be assisting each companionship in making their visits, checking up to see how their girls are doing, and helping in anyway that I can to help them fulfill their visiting teaching duties. Seems simple enough I suppose.

So I asked myself:
How can I wholeheartedly fulfill my calling?
What are the most important things to focus on as a leader?
What would Christ do in my situation?

What did I like about my past district leaders (or any type leader for that matter)?
-Actually cared about my emotional, physical, and spiritual well being
-listened with their heart
-inspired, encouraged, motivated
-showed their own weaknesses
-genuine
-taught me to my needs, not just what they were comfortable with or what they wanted
-bold with love- said what I needed to hear, not necessarily what I wanted to hear
-helped me introspect on my own--> taught me to find my own answers
-made lesson plans, but ultimately followed the spirit as directed

What did I not like?
-distant
-unwilling to listen with their heart
-rude, didn't think about how their reactions would affect others
-taught what they wanted to teach
-had their own desires and motivation other than my well being and the well being of those under my stewardship
-I felt like they could care less about me as a person
-telling me what to do rather then assisting me in finding the answer for myself

The district leaders- or any type of leader or teacher in my life- that had the greatest impact on me were those that I could tell loved me. They loved me despite my fears, despite my weaknesses, and my tendency to make mistakes over and over again. They were there to inspire me, encourage me, and allow me to believe in myself when I didn't have the capacity to see myself in a positive light.

Looking at what Christ says on the topic of leadership (which can be applied to any type of leadership position, no matter who you are, or where you've come from), I learned a lot more about the role service plays in any leadership position:

"But whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 43-45)

Just a quick definition for those who were unclear, as I was the difference between minister and administer:
Minister: caring for individual needs, physical, emotional, etc.
Administer: providing programs, making ordinances available to others

"Church members administer programs and ordinances, but they minister to individuals, loving them and coming to their relief. In reaching out to others, President Monson has emulated the Savior, who “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister”"
(see "The Blessings of Ministering," The Liahona, October, 2009)

The best way to help these sisters I will be in charge of is to love them. Serve them. Set an example of genuine concern, compassion, forgiveness, etc. through my daily interactions.
And I don't want this way of life to only be present in this calling. Through this calling, I want to establish a pattern of living where every single person I come in contact with, I will have the desire to enrich their life. I will not wait to be asked- I want to proactively serve others around me- be it school, church, family, friends, or people I meet in any other situation. I know that I can do absolutely anything I put my mind to with God's help.
I know He will guide me to how I can best serve these sisters that I will soon meet. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow from each one of them. I know I still have a lot to learn on this topic, but I am excited to keep learning and progressing with the help of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Have a great Sunday!
Much love,
Emily

Sunday Book Club Study: Believing Christ

One of my friends recently gave me two books about Jesus Christ that I want to read on Sundays.

I'm going to start with Stephen E. Robinson's Believing Christ.  Have you ever read it?

He introduces his book by saying that as he taught classes at BYU, he noticed that many people understood the peripheral doctrines of the church like tithing, food storage, the different commandments, etc.  But few understood the core doctrine of things like faith in Jesus Christ, sanctification, or the Atonement.  He began to teach lectures in order to fill the gap he saw and then turned it into a book which is pretty cool.  I assume that this book will help me to better understand the core doctrines of the gospel, and I look forward to uncovering some great eternal truths in my Sunday Book Club Studies.

Chapter One: The Great Dilemma

God cannot look on sin with the least degree of allowance.  Even if we committed just one sin, we would not be worthy to be in the presence of God.  His celestial standard is pure, innocent perfection.  This creates a great dilemma as Robinson calls it. We all sin!  We all fall short of the glory of God.  And this causes us to feel like Peter who when He was around Christ said, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord."  He could feel the gap between where he was and where God wanted him to be and this caused him to feel utterly unworthy.  We feel shame or sorrow because sin cuts us off from our Father in heaven.  We are like a little child who after being sent to his room for getting in trouble says to his father, "Daddy, isn't there any way we can ever be friends again?"  Well son, there is.

Chapter Two: Good News

We can be reconciled to our perfect Father, who constantly assures us that despite all of our imperfections, He loves us with a perfect love and will never abandon us.  He didn't create his celestial laws to keep us out or to make us fail.  He created them to enable us to become like Him.  He sees more than we can see.  But it isn't like He says, "Sorry, you are too much of a sinner to be with me."  He sees the potential inside of us.  And to overcome the great dilemma, he provided a Savior.

The Atonement means "taking two things that have become separated, estranged, or incompatible, like a perfect God and an imperfect me or you, and bringing them together again, thus making the two be "at one."  God loves broken things.  God mends our brokenness, the gap between Him and us, through His Son Jesus Christ.  Christ shows us that no matter what we have done, He can make our scarlet sins as white as snow.  He doesn't want us to focus so much on the sin itself.  He wants us to focus on the fact that He can cleanse and heal us.  That is where we must put our focus and energy.  Sometimes we get so caught up in the scarlet sins that we don't effectively use the Atonement to enable us to become as white as snow.

BELIEVING CHRIST

Robinson points out something I haven't thought of before.  When we don't allow ourselves to be forgiven or accept the reality that we can receive exaltation, we are believing in Christ but we are not believing Christ.  I've fallen into this many times.  I believe that Christ has the power to heal me.  I believe that through Him, I can get to eternal life.  Yet sometimes I prevent myself from receiving His blessings because I focus so much on the scarlet sin that I feel I don't deserve to be made as pure as snow.  Now, who is the one with the unrealistic expectations?!  God expects perfection, but He doesn't expect us to get there on our own.  He knows we will sin.  Probably a million times.  Probably some sins will be made many, many times.  So why aren't we able to trust the two most perfect, glorious, and good beings who tell us, "Use the Atonement!  You can.  No matter who you are or what you have done!"  Christ tells us that He can purify us.  We must not only believe that He can meaning He has the power to cleanse us from sin.  We must believe that He can meaning cleanse US from sin.  Even imperfect, sinner US.  Come on, who else would He be talking about?!  If not sinner us, there would be no one to cleanse.  That is precisely why He came to earth, to dwell among sinners and heal the spiritually sick.  Just in case you didn't catch it, that means US.

We have not accepted the good news of the gospel--that we can get reconciled to God--until we have accepted that Christ can bring each one of us into His kingdom.  If we don't accept that, we are accepting the messenger while rejecting His message.

Wow, I think I definitely need to do some internal work in order to more fully accept Christ's message in my own life.  Yes, I am weak.  I am a sinner.  But I don't have to be stuck there.  Christ tells me that He can cleanse me.  He can enable me.  He can get me back to God.  He knows the way.  He has felt my pain, sorrow, the effects of my choices and the choices of others on me.  He knows how to overcome it all.  Do I believe Him as well as believe in Him?  Do accept His message as well as Him as my messenger?

Well, I am going to work on this to get there.  Because I definitely struggle with this sometimes.  I've got to learn to believe that even though I am so weak, I can be made strong in Christ.  It is okay to fully depend on Him.  The plan was made that way.  I'm supposed to do that for goodness sake!  Yet still I feel undeserving or stupid or whatever other labels I place on myself as I focus on my scarlet sins instead of using my energy to utilize Christ's great gift.

Its a process.

I sure do love you.  I hope that this helped you feel as empowered as it helped me feel.  You deserve to feel happy and loved and know that you are GREAT!  Keep doing what you are doing because I can tell you are in such a good place, ready to spread goodness through all the land.  I'm proud of you!

Rachel

    
      
 

The Apostle John Testifies of Christ Part 2

Christ is the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  Isn't it cool that every man has the light of Christ?  The gospel is the Word which is within Christ, and it shines, but the true Light is Christ Himself.  When we have Him in our lives, we can always find at least a little bit of light.  We are walking in darkness (otherwise, who needs faith?), but when as we reach out towards Him, especially through the scriptures, we will be lead by His light.  I know this is true, because I have felt it.  Even recently.  Sometimes the darkness is so heavy that you start feeling a bit helpless or scared, like you are going to fall.  Like you don't know where you are going.  Like you don't know how to overcome your weaknesses and you feel acted upon rather than your own agent.  But your hope can be in Christ, because He has already overcome it all.    We ARE weak.  We ARE fallen.  Satan tries to tell us that like it is something wrong with us.  Those things are necessary to grow and to achieve God's goal.  Sometimes those things cause us to feel like we can't trust in ourselves to do anything.  The cool thing is that we don't have to trust in ourselves!  We just have to trust in Christ who has already overcome the darkness.  He has already overcome our sins.  He knows how to help us.  He is our light.  I am so grateful for Him.    

Even the Son of God. Christ is the literal Son of the Father.  This is so important, especially in the Old and New Testament because everyone was waiting for Him, looking to Him for their salvation.  Christ is the Son of God, the One who fulfilled the prophecies, the One who descended below it all and overcame it all.

He who was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  We were created in part by Him.  Isn't it crazy that we still sometimes don't know Him?  Our brother?  Our Savior?  I know that at times I have felt distant from Him and haven't felt like I really know Him (which is why I started this study, so I could KNOW that I at least know Him a little bit more).  To know Him, we can't look at things through our carnal, or worldly eyes.  We must look for Him through our spiritual eyes.  That is the only way to see Him for who He truly was and is.      

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  I want to be trained at looking through my spiritual eyes so that when He comes again, I will know Him and receive Him and be able to look in His eyes and tell Him how much I love Him.  

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, only to them that believe on his name:  Ah, this is so powerful!  We are sons and daughters of God.  But we also must BECOME the sons and daughters of God. We must reach our potentials.  The ONLY way we can do this is through receiving Christ in our lives and believing on His name.  Then we will receive power to become who we truly are.  To act and not be acted upon.  I need this enabling power in my life right now.  I need Christ's power to be able to overcome my weaknesses, fears, and anything else that may try to hold me back from reaching my true potential.

He was born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  The footnotes tie born to the Holy Ghost, so I think this part means that Christ was spiritually born of God.  And through that overcame the natural man.  Or something like that.

I can't believe how much you can unpack out of each phrase that describes Christ.  I've had to split up this chapter into like...five parts just to get through it all.  But I LOVE that, because I feel like I really am getting down to more of who Christ is.  Line upon line, precept upon precept.  Every time I read and write about Him, I feel more hope, more power.  It rejuvenates me.  It helps me feel light in my life.  And I feel closer to Christ which helps me feel happy.  I know that overcoming weakness and fear is a process, but as I continue to do this study of Christ, I know that God will make my weaknesses into strengths through the Atonement.  I have that hope.

I love you!

Rachel

The Apostle John Testifies of Christ

John says that Christ is:

The Word.  In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son.  And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God. The same was in the beginning with God.  I love how one of Christ's names is the Word.  Language is so important to God!  It has the power to create (by the Word was the world created) or destroy (I'm sure we all have heard and/or said destructive language at one time or another).  We know that the gospel, or God's plan of happiness, is in Christ.  Isn't that beautiful?  We always know exactly where to go to find happiness.  We know who to follow to get back to God.    

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  This one is pretty straightforward: Christ made everything under the direction of the Father.

In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life; and the life was the light of men.  Oh my goodness, this makes so much sense.  I know that when I have been living the gospel more fully than other times, I feel more alive.  Happier.  The more the gospel becomes a part of our lives, the more fully we live.  It lights us up!  I've noticed that those who live the gospel radiate it.  I always want to be that way.

And the light shineth in the world for a witness, to bear witness of the light, to bear record of the gospel through the Son, unto all, that through him men might believe.  We have the gospel as a witness of the light, or Christ.  It shines in our fallen world.  It is the way to Christ.  And we must believe in Christ to get back to God.  "Unto all" means every last one of us has that opportunity.  

And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not.  We must live in a way that we are looking through our spiritual eyes, not our carnal eyes.  The world is fallen and carnal while the spirit is elevated and connected with God.  As we strive for the spiritual, we will perceive the light, the gospel, Christ, and the little messages our loving Heavenly Father sends to us.

I feel so grateful for the light of the gospel in my life.  Even though sometimes we experience dark moments or little attacks of darkness, the light is always more powerful.  We can trust in the Son.  In Him, we can have happiness IN THIS LIFE.  We will receive a fullness after this life, but I believe that because we have the gospel, we have the means to overcome anything when we rely on Christ.  We can have peace, joy, and comfort even in the midst of a storm, because of the Word.  I want to live in such a way that I have a constant ability to receive the light that God wishes to send me.  Sometimes we do need dark times to learn.  But I always want to be open to receive the rain of blessings that God sends down on me, because of my obedience and love.  This is how Christ lived.  He felt pain, sorrow, suffering, betrayal, and many other difficult things, yet He remained constant to God and was therefore able to reach His full potential. We can do the same because He did it already.  We just have to follow the pathway of light set before us.  We are so lucky!

Love,

Rachel

Eye of the Tiger. I Mean Needle

To start us off this fine day, here's a few questions I had at the beginning of my study:
What can I do differently to increase my faith in jesus christ?
How can I better keep my covenants this year?
How can I increase my gospel knowledge?

I feel like I already know the basic answers, these principles are eternal: if I want to increase my faith in Christ, read about his life in the scriptures, read about his teachings and strive to APPLY them daily. Record my goals. Tell God what I want to accomplish. Let him know when I mess up. When I do well. When I'm struggling, don't be afraid to FEEL. Attend the temple as often as I can. Seek to fulfill my covenants through serving others. Attend church and renew my covenants through the sacrament. Strive to be constantly communicating with God through prayer.

DOING those simple things will draw me closer to Christ- as long as my heart is in it. Don't just do it to do it. Do it to develop a relationship with God the Father and his son.
Ask questions. STUDY. That means I have to delve deeper. That means I actually have to put forth some effort- if I just read a page to check it off my to do list, I might as well have not read it at all. Try to increase my understanding, and that means I need to live according to my understanding. Yep.

Reminds me of what Alma tells Zeezrom when they were contending in good old Ammonihah (see alma 12:10 if you wanna check out this awesome smack down). Essentially, he says what we are willing to receive, we receive. If I am more willing to learn through humility, study, faith, I will be able to get greater understanding

Back to my new testament study today- some peeps bring some kids over to talk with christ. The disciples try to brush them off, but Christ demonstrates a valuable lesson as we welcomes them into his presence:
"For of such is the kingdom of God" (the kids)
How are kids different than most adults?
-They ask questions---> seriously, they never stop asking why
-They are not afraid to learn, curious
-Keep going even when they mess up
-Trusting
-Forgiving
-Loving

This sets the stage for the next man on the scene: This dude that wants to get into heaven.
Dude: What do I have to do to inherit eternal life?
Jesus: You know the commandments, so keep them
Dude: I've done this since I was a kid, there's got to be more
Jesus: Sell your treasure, take up your cross and follow me.
Dude couldn't do it. He was willing to do the bare minimum to get to God, but when asked to give up the habits he loved, he wasn't willing to trade them in to make it back to his Father in Heaven. Rough.

Christ then turns to his disciples and says, "How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Mark 10: 24 & 25) Seeing that his disciples are confused by his statement, he then expands that those who are more attached to their riches (or personal habits, being stubborn, PIRDE) than to spiritual matters are unable to enter into the kingdom of heaven! Why? Because, as Christ previously told us with the kidders, only those who are humble, are willing to put God first, and teachable are able to live in the presence of God the Father. Full circle.

What are my personal "riches" or earthly habits that are keeping me from more fully following Christ? If my desire is to live with God again, why is it so hard to give up habits that would prevent me from doing so. Again, the scripture comes to mind, "if ye love me, keep my commandments." How much do I love God? Do I love him enough to follow the counsel of living prophets? Do I love him enough to treat my mom and dad with respect and the rest of the 10 commandments? Do I love him enough to not settle when it comes to dating, to find someone that will uphold his covenants with willing obedience? Do I love him enough to keep the law of tithing? The law of Chastity? The word of wisdom?

Do I love the Lord with my heart might mind and strength? Do I make a conscious effort to uphold my covenants at all times and all places? Do I lovingly and boldly stand for his truth when it is being bashed or looked down on? Do I live my life in a way that I am a reflection of his love, goodness, and truth?

Honestly- no. I am not living up to all of those things right now. And that's ok. Now that I know I have work to do, through the redeeming and enabling power of Jesus Christ, I can improve. I can start fresh and receive the strength to be better bit by bit and day by day. I can become a better disciple of his- starting today. And that's all he asks- that we take it one step at a time. We're not going to be perfect. We will make plenty of mistakes along the way. But as we keep trying our best, I know that God will make up for the rest. Cute rhyming, huh?
Anyway, definitely an inspired study for sure- we were supposed to read the parable of the camel through the eye of the needle yesterday for my institute class and ended up more just discussing symbolism. Then when I sat down to study this morning, I asked my questions and asked to be led to story that would help me understand the answers I was seeking. And bam- got led here. God is good.

I definitely know that God is more than happy to help us learn, grow, and become our best selves when we show him we are willing to put forth the effort. I know He listens, that He is watching over us all. And I know He loves you!

Love,
Emily

To Dream the Impossible Dream!

So this is the story of Zacharias, a priest married to the lovely Elisabeth (found in Luke chapter 1). Both are getting pretty up there in age, with no kids, and Elisabeth has been told she's barren. So they are pretty sure no kids will be coming into the picture, but they decide to ask the Lord for some help anyway.
While praying in the temple, Zacharias is visited by the angel Gabriel, who tells him, 

"Fear not,  (there it is again!) Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:13-17).

Zacharius immediately responds with, "So...my wife's pretty old. And so am I. How am I going to know if any of this is actually true?" The angel then replies that he will be stricken dumb until his son, John will be born, because of his unbelief. Sounds kind of harsh, doesn't it? It's not like he did anything wrong- he just had a moment of weakness. It even says earlier in the chapter that he and his wife both had a strong testimonies of the gospel, were very active in their covenant keeping, and "walked blameless before God." But Zacharias did not have a full understanding of the why behind all that he did. 

He didn't understand the importance of faith- both in regards to the miracle of his son and of the Messiah's role in his life. In order for Zacharius's faith in Christ to grow, Heavenly Father allowed him to experience a brief period of suffering, unable to speak to anyone at all. Once John was born, Zacharias immediately receives the ability to talk again, and starts testifying of John and Christ right away! He now knows 100% that God's promises will be fulfilled- and because of his recently strengthened testimony, he is able to bring others more fully unto God and to Christ. Isn't it amazing how God can turn something so seemingly negative into a positive learning experience?

I was reminded of Jairus's story from earlier in the week- and thought about how both these men had quite an influence on others in their community, one being  priest, the other the leader of a congregation. Both already had testimonies of the gospel, and probably had already been tried multiple times throughout their lives, but God did not want them to stop growing where they were- he wanted them both to have a deeper understanding of the gospel of Christ so that they could influence others for the better.  They both may have read the scriptures time and time again, but may not have fully understood the true meaning behind them. Had Zacharis recalled the story of Abraham and Saria having a child in their old age, he may have been able to better believe the possibility of his own wife being able to have a son (plus being promised something like that from an angel is a pretty good indicator it'll come true), and may have been able to understand the important role John would play in preparing the way for Christ. 

Anyway, I feel like I'm rambling, but what i'm trying to say is sometimes God allows us to struggle so that we can better understand gospel truths in our own lives. As we look for opportunities to learn from specific trials, we can end up bearing testimony of God and Christ that can change the lives of others around us, in ways that wouldn't have otherwise been possible had our faith not been tested. Some trials will be far more intense than others, but I know there is something to be learned from each one of them. I definitely know I need to be better at putting my faith into practice instead of just freaking out when things get harder than what I want them to be. But I know it'll all work out in the end. It always does :) As we put forth our best effort to keep our covenants, ask questions, and seek the answers in the scriptures, our personal understanding will increase and we can be instruments in God's hands to bring others unto Christ 10000 x better than we ever could on our own.

 I know that Heavenly Father is so proud of all the hard work you are putting into school, your calling, family, and friends- He is there to help you grow along the way, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible" (37)

I love you!

Emily

John the Baptist's Prophecies of Christ continued...

Christ's role is:

To make possible the preaching of the gospel unto the Gentiles.  Through Christ, everyone and anyone can accept the gospel of Jesus Christ!  He makes it possible that all who are lost at some point (which is all of us) can be gathered and restored.      

To be a light unto all who sit in darkness, unto the uttermost parts of the earth.  This is one of my favorite descriptions of Christ, the light of the world.  I have had some times of darkness, as we all have had, and sometimes I get super duper afraid.  I begin to think, "Is this going to last forever?" or "Do I have to accept this as reality?"  Christ is the light of the world which means LIGHT not darkness is our reality.  Light wins.  Whenever I have dark moments, I remember that a tiny lit candle can pierce a room full of darkness.  

To bring to pass the resurrection from the dead.  Death cannot conquer us!  Through Christ, we can live.  

To ascend up on high.  To dwell on the right hand of the Father, Until the fullness of time, and the law and the testimony shall be sealed, and the keys of the kingdom shall be delivered up again unto the Father.  Because Christ will ascend, we can too.  We can live with God and Jesus Christ after this life.  What a GREAT GIFT!  THE GREATEST GIFT!  Aren't we lucky that God has given us some of His keys, so we can have some help down here?  And the law and testimony will be sealed which to me means all the loose ends will be tied up, and everyone will know that Jesus is the Christ.  

To administer justice unto all.  Anything bad that has happened to us will be made right.  God will mercifully fix things.  I trust Him to do that with myself, with my family, and with my other loved ones.  Sometimes we have complex situations down here, but God knows how to mend anything.  If we are open with Him and constantly repenting and talking with Him while we try to overcome our shortcomings, we can trust that His justice will make everything right.

To come down in judgment upon all.  This image always sounds little scary, but as I've learned more about the nature of God and Jesus Christ, I've realized that it isn't so scary after all.  As long as in this life, we are filling our oil lamps.  Because of Christ, God can be merciful.  God judges us based on our hearts and actions.  Even if we struggle with something our whole lives, but we never give up, I know God is merciful and loving and takes everything into account.  We can trust Him and not be afraid.  Only afraid in the biblical sense meaning mindful of what God wants for us and we put God first in our lives.

To convince all the ungodly of their ungodly deeds, which they have committed.  To me, this means that because Christ loves us, He will try to convince all of their ungodly deeds so they can have one last chance to receive eternal life.  Because what is the first step of repentance?  Recognizing it!  This is just an extension of Christ's role to guide us to repent.

And all this in the day that he shall come; For it is a day of power; yea every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth.  And all the flesh shall see the salvation of God.  We do NOT want to be like these types of mountains: prideful, putting ourselves above God, no room to be filled.  The ones who have left their paths crooked will be made straight.  All the distorted truth will be set right, and everyone will know.  Any rough patches we haven't been able to work out in this life, even though we've tried, will be made smooth.   We definitely want to be the valley: open, humble, willing to receive what God sends our way.  I think the valley is a representation of the broken heart and contrite spirit.

Based on all of this, we know that through Christ everything will be made right.  We will have the chance to live with God.  We can live on earth in light, and we can trust in the justice of God.  What a great motivation to do our best and to try to become like Christ every day!  I sure am grateful for Christ in my life.

Love,

Rachel

Christ According to John the Baptist

Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 3:4-11

He shall come, as it is written in the book of the prophets, to take away the sins of the world.  This one is pretty self-explanatory.  I know that Christ came for this purpose, and because He chose to do the right things His whole life by always doing the will of the Father, He was prepared over the course of His relatively short life to perform the Atonement.  To be like Him, we must use it.  It is okay that we have to.  It is expected that we have to.  

To bring salvation unto the heathen nations.  Christ wants to help everyone receive salvation, whatever the religion they're in, whether they believe in Him or not.  I love this one because I come across people all the time, some LDS, some not who are struggling to believe.  I know my testimony has been at weak places at times in my life.  I can look on those people with compassion like Christ does and try to help them see what Christ has enabled me to see.  Christ never judged me or got mad or frustrated me, because I struggled to figure some things out.  He guided me.  And now, because I've seen His power and felt Him in my life, I believe in Him.  Not only that, but I want to share these things with everyone.  I feel both these things so strongly, in a sort of unshakable way!      

To gather together those who are lost who are of the sheepfold of Israel.  Christ loves His sheep.  He would leave the 99 and go for that one lost sheep every time.  The individual matters to Him.  There are so many people around me that I can tell feel like they don't belong somewhere.  They are struggling to find their place.  They may feel lost meaning they don't know to what fold they belong.  I want to be called by Christ's name and be in His fold, because I know it is where I am absolutely the happiest.  And because I feel this, I can share this with other people and help them find the happiness I have found by being called by Christ's name.  I can be a part of Christ's process of gathering those who are lost.  

Gather together even the dispersed and afflicted.  I love this image as well.  There are many reasons why we can be dispersed and afflicted.  The fold can become dispersed or afflicted because of sin, confusion, darkness warps the path, a lack of knowledge or understanding, a hardship or trial, intense emotion, logic without emotion, etc.  Whether we are dispersed or afflicted because of our own choices, the choices of others, or the experiences of life, we can count that Christ is here to gather us together, and He will always come.  It may not be when we feel we need it (like that moment where we realize, "Ah, I'm lost!  Help me!"  He may come to our boat in the fourth watch, rather than the third watch when the storm actually started getting crazy.  But we can trust that He will come.

To prepare the way.  People prepared us for Christ.  And Christ is preparing us for God.  If we follow Christ, we will be lead to where we need to be.

As I study about Christ, I feel more and more how much I trust Him.  He is so GOOD.  He has made goodness His character, and we can trust that He is all of the things these prophets have said and MORE.  When I learn of Christ, I feel peace, security, and trust in God.  I know that Christ's power can overcome any darkness, hardship, or fear that we may have.  I feel Christ helping me with those things right now in my life.  He loves us so much, and I can feel it when I read about Him.

Love,

Rachel

 

Christ According to Isaiah

I have decided that to help me get to know Christ, the New Testament would help out a lot.  This year in Sunday School, the church happens to be focusing on just that!  I'm going to try to study using the manual as a guide and find my own insights into exactly who Jesus Christ really is.  I think it will be good!

Isaiah prophesied of Christ's mission before he came.  He says:

Christ will have the Spirit of the Lord God.  He needs this to be able to do all the other stuff that Isaiah says He will do.

He will be anointed to preach good tidings unto the meek.  Anoint means to confer a holy office upon someone by smearing or rubbing them with oil or to consecrate.  Christ was consecrated with the holy office to preach good tidings (the gospel) to the meek (gentle, submissive, those who are willing to submit themselves to the will of God).

He will bind up the brokenhearted.  I absolutely love this image.  There are many things that will break our heart here on the earth whether those are difficult experiences, sins, or anything else.  But no matter what breaks our heart, Christ will always be there to bind it up.  He knows how to heal us, and He takes the time to do so if we go to Him.  Plus, a broken heart is a required sacrifice for God.  We are basically required to let things break our hearts (but in the right way of course).  Why?  Because trials and mistakes and the repentance process is the way to prepare for eternal life.  We are required to be broken and imperfect.  However, we should never stay that way.  Instead we can go to Christ and He will bind us up.

He will proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.  Proclaim means to announce officially or to declare.  Christ will declare liberty meaning that liberty is an official promise to all those who accept Him.  He will open whatever prison that holds the captives bound.  I know that at many points in my life, I have felt captive to fear, to myself (sin or bad habits or negative ways of thinking), to my circumstances, to the effects of my own choices or the choices of others on me.  I have seen the liberating power of Jesus Christ in my life.  I know that He can open whatever prison that holds us bound.  We never have to stay captive.  We, in fact, never have to be captives to anything.  I like to think of the prophets who literally were in prison, yet on the inside, they were free because of their own testimonies and firm faith in Jesus Christ.  That is something we can all aspire to.  That state of being is the most happy and the most free.    

He will proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God.  I assume this means proclaim the second coming and invite people to repent, so that they can avoid the vengeance of God and be with the Lord.

He will comfort all that mourn.  Comfort means a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint or the easing or alleviation of a person'a feelings of grief or distress.  Physical ease brings to mind a hug or a safe place where a person is not afraid or hyper alert to their surroundings.  Their neck and back aren't all tight from stress.  They feel good and safe physically.  Freedom from pain is pretty self explanatory whether it is emotional, mental, or physical pain, Christ brings alleviates us from that.  Freedom from constraint is an interesting one.  Constraint is any limitation or restriction.  It can also mean inhibiting yourself or being stiff in certain situations, especially in relationships.  To me, freedom from constraint means freedom from the limits or restrictions that other people place upon us or especially those that we place upon ourselves.  I know that in certain situations, I may hid myself because of certain fears.  I may hold myself back or I may limit my own ability to live somehow because of certain fears or things I don't know.  Christ can free us from these things!  He can replace fear with comfort, so that we aren't holding ourselves back anymore.  So that we can truly live.          

He will appoint unto them that mourn in Zion.  I honestly don't quite understand the structure of this one, but it could mean to assign a role or responsibility to those that mourn in Zion.  Meaning that those who go through hardship because they choose Zion, because they live righteously, will be on Christ's team.  He will trust them and appoint something unto them.  

He will give them beauty for ashes.  I LOVE this image.  Ashes reminds me of when something gets burned by fire, maybe a big trial burns someone.The life or perspective or comfort zone that someone once knew is now only ashes.  BUT whatever fire we experience, Christ will make beauty come from it.  I have seen this in my own life.  Christ has made something good, many good things, out of every single hard thing I have gone through.  Sometimes all we can see is the left over ashes, and we wonder what we are going to do. Or we mourn the loss of whatever existed before.  With Christ, we are able to see that beauty comes from the ashes.  Christ makes that so through the hope He inspires in us.  Because He died for us and can make all of us alive!    

He will give them the oil of joy for mourning.  Oil is symbolically linked with anointing which is also linked with the Holy Ghost in the scriptures.  Through Christ, we can receive the Holy Ghost which will replace our mourning with joy.    

He will give them the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.  The word garment always makes the temple come to mind.  I have gone to the temple with the "spirit of heaviness" and come out so light and clear that it feels so wonderful.  And I feel so good that I want to just say thanks to God all day or "praise" Him.  He is so good to me, He really is.  Sometimes our spirits feel so heavy that we don't feel like we can hold that weight anymore.  But the temple is a tool we can use as well as the garments to be protected and overcome the heaviness.  

Why will Christ be and do all this?

That they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.

Christ will give us all of this because He wants us to be righteous trees in His vineyard.  He wants to call us His, because He loves us.  He wants us to be with Him.  God's glory is our well-being.  Of course, Christ's is the same.  I know that if we invite Christ into our lives, more and more over time as we learn how to better do so, we will be prepared as His trees, we will be a part of His planting, and we will be glorified with Him after this life.

This was a super powerful study, and it took a while because a couple of scriptures had so much meaning jam-packed inside.  That's Isaiah for you.  But Christ is wonderful!  I felt a bit closer to Him as I dove into each of His characteristics and/or roles.  I'm grateful for Him.

And YOU!

Love,

Rachel  

There Can Be Miiiiracles -When You Believe!

So I've got a couple of big decisions coming my way, involving work, school, amongst other activities in my life. Sometimes it feels nearly impossible to balance it all. We've all been there, I am sure. And we will continue to experience this balancing act we call life. Yup.
But the stories I read today reminded me about the importance of putting God first, and trusting in Christ's power to help us through any situation. And when we choose faith over fear, the results are nothing short of miraculous.

In Mark chapter 6, Christ is being rejected by those he grew up with, causing him "marvel at their unbelief." He decides to seek out those whose faith will allow him to demonstrate greater miracles, and ends up attracting flocks and flocks of people who are eager to listen to his words. After a full day of teaching, the disciples tell him that they need to go into town to buy food for all these hungry folks. Christ responds, "Give them something to eat." And the disciples, somewhat sassy, reply, "What? You want us to buy two hundred pennyworth of bread?" They were probably thinking something along the lines of, "Hey, remember how we're poor fishermen? And we left our jobs to follow you? We're not exactly in the best position to finance this feast you have in mind."
Instead of rebuking them or getting angry, Christ takes this as yet another teaching opportunity and asks, "How many loaves have ye?" They show him a meager five loaves and two fish, which I'm sure to them was absolutely nothing. He tells them to organize the people and once they have done so, Christ proceeds to bless and share the food they have, "and they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men." (Mark 6:44)
Isn't that an incredible miracle? In the previous town, where Christ was surrounded by people he knew growing up, they were unable to see many miracles because of their unbelief, "and he could do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them."
With this new group of people, however, the power of God was able to provide such a massive miracle because the hearts of these people were prepared to receive such.

Not too long after this event with the bread and fish occurred Christ sent his disciples in a boat ahead of him. After a bit, seeing that they were struggling out on the ocean, he makes his way to them by walking out onto the water. As they are freaking out about the boat, and about the possibility of being haunted, Christ calls out,"Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." Pause for a second.
That's two chapters in a row Christ tells us to not give into fear. Previously, he had told Jarius, "Be not afraid, only believe," after just hearing his daughter died. Now he's telling his disciples to resist the urge to give in to their fears. Why would he repeat these words in two different instances?

• Giving into fear can paralyze us from making decisions
• Fear can cause us to distance ourselves from God (through sin or other actions)
• Fear can cause us to harm ourselves and others
• Fear can prevent us from progressing

Also, it mentions that the disciples were "sore amazed...beyond measure and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their hearts were hardened (52a or did not understand)" How often do we get so caught up in fears of the moment that we completely dismiss the times that God has previously provided for our needs? I know I do it way more often that I care to admit. But seeing that the very men that spend nearly every hour of every day with Christ still have a hard time leaving their fears behind gives me hope. I know that I can work on trusting more fully in Christ, despite all the crazy things going on if I just work on it one day and one experience at a time.

It's so important to remember that even when it seems our resources are completely gone- emotionally, physically, financially- whatever the case may be- God will help us make it work. If we are willing to put our trust in him and put our faith into action. 

Faith is not a passive word. It is the ability to act on one's belief. If we are making the effort to constantly exercise and stretch our faith, there is no limit to what we can accomplish with God's help while we are here on earth. I know that I still have a ton to learn about faith and how I can better show God my faith. 

Here are a few ideas to remember the daily miracles (they can be as big or small as you want them to be, it's usually in the subtle things that God works his wonders).

• Record the instances you see in your life where God has helped you out, to better recognize and remember them
• Show your gratitude to God by acknowledging His help as it comes
• Reflect on previous experiences to help you through times of fear, discouragement and trial

"And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? ... And if there were many mighty miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles. 

And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust. Behold I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."

Sorry it was kind of a long entry today- my goal is to simplify- but I hope you enjoy! I love you oh so much!

Love,

Emily

Faith in Erry Footstep

Are you ready for some amazing revelatory experiences this great day? Good. Here we go!

In this episode, Christ has just arrived in a new town, where the ruler of the synagogue, Jarius comes to him in a panic about his dying daughter. Jarius has heard of Christ's ability to heal, so demonstrating his faith, he appeals to Christ and begs him to prevent his daughter from dying. Jesus follows this distraught father, but along the way focuses on this woman that has an issue of blood and is seeking to be healed.
She touches his robe as he is passing through and ends up being cured of this issue that has haunted her life for the last 12 years. She has been waiting a long, long time for this trial to be over. And just in that moment of faith, after doing all she could do, just through touching the robe of Christ, she is healed. Christ takes the time to stop and talk with her, not only reassuring her testimony, but also letting others know that it was through her faith that amazing miracle was able to occur.
I was thinking, this whole time, what about Jarius? He had come to Christ first and was terrified that his daughter wasn't going to live. Couldn't Christ have just gone to his home first and then gone back to this other woman? Would an hour have made that much difference in her life if she'd already waited 12 years?

Then I realized something as I kept reading. Well, I realized serval things, actually. Allow me to share them with you. These experiences were opportunities to stretch the faith of both Jarius and this woman. Already knowing that Jarius had faith in Christ's ability to heal, Christ used this opportunity to further help Jarius understand Christ's true character as the savior.
After taking time to talk with the woman in the street, Christ and Jarius make their way to Jarius's home, only to be told before they arrive that his daughter is already dead. Imagine how frustrated, heartbroken, and hopeless Jarius must have felt. He had exercised his faith by coming to Christ. He had done all he knew how to at that point- and it that moment, it all seemed like it hadn't been enough. His daughter had died despite his willingness to show his faith. I would have felt hurt, betrayed, angry, confused, and probably even more- not to mention he probably felt like he had let everyone (his family and friends) down by not coming through with what he thought had been a perfect solution. He was the head of his home and congregation and probably felt like he had failed everyone, including his daughter at that point.
But Christ turns to Jarius, not telling him- Hey I can bring her back from the dead, don't sweat it! He simply reassures him with the words, "Be not afraid, only believe." Even though Christ already know the outcome, he doesn't tell Jarius all at once. He allows Jarius to start expanding his faith at this point.

They arrive at the house, surrounded by extremely distraught family members and friends, experiencing the pains of loss very rawly at this moment. Christ announces that the girl isn't dead, but sleeping- no one believes him, but he proceeds forward anyway. He takes three of his disciples with him, and only the mother and father of the girl, then proceeds to change their lives forver. He tells the girl to rise in front of everyone, and low and behold- she's back!

So why did it happen this way? Why did Christ take his time by stopping to talk with the woman who touched his robe and not prevent Jairus's daughter from dying? He totally had the power to prevent that heartache and that loss and all those other painful experiences linked with her death from happening. But why did it happen that way? I'll tell you what I learned.
Through this experience, Jarius is taught that not only can Christ heal us physically- but through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, we can live again. Because of this experience, Christ was able to foreshadow the power of his resurrection and testify of his role as the savior of the world. Jarius was able to see his true character as the Messiah, not just any other prophet acting in the name of God. Jarius asked that his daughter would live. And she did. His prayer was answered, but definitely not in the timing or way Jairus intended it to occur. Jairus's trial may have seemed unfair or impossible to get through at the time, but because of what happened, his faith in Christ as the Messiah would be powerful enough to reach everyone that he'd come in contact with (and being a religious leader, he'd be able to influence a toooon of people, I am sure).

I know that every single person on this earth will experience one form of hardship or another. I know there will be times where it feels like we are doing everything in our power to find a solution, but we keep falling again and again, to the point where we want to give up. But despite those feelings of hopelessness, frustration, and fear, I know that if we make the effort to just keep moving forward, one step at a time with faith in Christ, we are able to make it through absolutely anything. And we have the opportunity to become even stronger and even better because of our trials. I know Jesus Christ is aware of what you are experiencing. I know that your prayers are heard by a loving Father in Heaven. And I know that although His timing may seem off, or it may seem like He is not listening, He is aware of it all and He has everything planned out far better than we could have ever imagined.
Keep going, one step at a time. I know you are doing great! I love you!

Much love,
Emily

If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments

Holy canolis!
I just had a wonderful study this fine day. I was reading in Mark, chapter 2, where Christ keeps himself busy healing some sick guys, allowing lame guys to walk, you know, those amazing miraculous happenings he is so inclined to take a part of- and I was able to find some great answers to my questions today. I was thinking about what more I can do this year to be a better disciple of Christ. How can I make the world a better place? How can I strengthen my community? How can I enrich the lives of my family and friends? And how can I change myself to influence all those other factors?
As I read about the first story in Mark chapter 2, about the man with palsy, I was struck by the faith of the group of men that brought him to Christ. Obviously, this man's friends had enormous personal faith in Christ, otherwise, they would not have made the effort to bring him to Christ in the first place. They attempt to bring their crippled friend into the building where Christ is preaching so he can be healed, but there are so many people there that the door is blocked. Does that stop them? Nope. Sure doesn't. They try another way. They make the effort to lift their friend onto the roof, which I am sure is not an easy task, then proceed to lower him down into the room. These amazing men realize the importance of bringing their friend to Christ. They realize their friend does not have the ability to make it on his own. And they realize they cannot individually accomplish bringing their friend to Christ- they need to work as a team. But before they can do any of that- they first had to gain their own testimony. Isn't that awesome? Once we know Christ for ourselves, our natural desire will be to do all we can to serve and help others around us come to him.

Throughout the chapter, the pharisees are criticizing Christ for spending time with sinners, for making statements that he is able to heal and forgive, along with just about anything else you can think about complaining about. Another reason Christ is my hero- I would have flipped out about 20 times at them at this point. But instead of snapping at them each time they criticize him, he makes each instance into a teaching opportunity.
These Pharisees though, they are going solely off of what they see on the outside. They have no idea what any of these people are going through or what they are doing to come to Christ. They're so wrapped up in the do's and don'ts that they have completely missed the meaning behind the commandments within the gospel. I know I have been there before. And good gravy- it is a terrible place to be. But Christ reminds them what truly matters throughout the chapter.
Towards the end, Christ and his disciples are strolling through a corn field, picking some shucks to eat. Some local pharisees flip their little lids, asking, "why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?" What a bunch of ninnies. But how often do we all fall into this trap? Worried about how other people are keeping (or not keeping) the commandments the way WE understand them? I feel that is something we are all guilty of, in one way or another. But what Christ says next really help me realize something great. I will tell you in a moment, here's his response:
"Wherefore the Sabbath was given unto man for a day of rest; and also that man should glorify God, and not that man should not eat; for the son of man made the sabbath day, therefore the son of man is Lord of the Sabbath." (JST Mark 2:26&27)

It is not about what I think Johnny should be doing on the sabbath. It is not about worrying whether or not I'm doing what Jill thinks I should be doing on the sabbath. It doesn't matter what other people are or aren't doing, or how they view what I'm doing. It's between me and God.
The Sabbath is a day where I am able to rest from the stresses and normal activities of day to day life. Does that mean it's bad if I need a nap? No. Does it mean that it's bad if I want to watch a movie? No. But I am coming to realize that I can do more to show my love and gratitude for God. And that's not how everyone has to do it. It's how I want to do it. And that is a ok. I think the question to ask ourselves is- what does this (insert principle or commandment here) mean to me? And how can I better live in a way where it is drawing me closer to God rather than feeling like a do or don't do.

What the sabbath means to me is it's a day where I can focus my heart and energy on God, and on my savior, Jesus Christ. A day where I can choose to do the things Christ would do, like reaching out to those who may be struggling, writing letters, visiting someone who needs company, etc. It doesn't have to be big. It doesn't have to change the world. But I can be the change I want to see. I am realizing that the more fully I live the commandments with a willing heart- the more I will be filled with a desire to help others around me. I will be more prone to listen, to understand, to love, and to serve. I want to make it one of my goals this year to focus on how I can more fully give my heart to God, and by doing so, be a positive force in this crazy world. Because it is not all rainbows and unicorns. And we all need help every now and then. Yes indeed. We sure can't make it alone.
I know that I still have heaps and heaps to learn, and that I will not get it all at once. And I know despite my weaknesses and repeated mistakes, God will help me learn what I need to in this process, as well as hopefully helping others along the way. I am excited to keep expanding my understanding of the gospel, of life, and of my relationships with others while I am here on earth. And I am grateful for you!

Much love,
Emily

I Have Confidence in Me! But Mostly in Jesus

Today I read a wonderful talk, titled, Approaching the Throne of God, given by elder Jorg Klebingat during the Saturday afternoon session from this last general conference. I loved all of the different points that he covered in this talk (it is a great read by the by, I would highly recommend checking it out!), here are some of the ideas that stuck out most to me:

• My faith in God and in Christ is linked to the faith I have in myself
• Satan knows this, so he does all he can to put doubt and distance between us and our confidence in ourselves and in God's love for us
• Common lies as told by the devil himself: Heavenly Father is disappointed in me, I am not worthy to change, the atonement is beyond my reach, there's no point in trying, etc.
• There is a difference between pride in oneself, and fully, whole heartedly accepting and believing in oneself because of one's trust and faith in God
• "I can do all things through Christ, which strengthenth me" vs I can do it all by myself

It's really hard to accomplish much of anything if we don't believe we are worthy of God's love, or if we believe that the atonement doesn't apply to us because of what we've done. Satan knows that using these techniques to prevent us from gaining access to the atonement, hoping by doing so He will stop our eternal progression. But if we realize that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers, and that our weaknesses can draw us closer to God, we end up becoming stronger and more prepared to become like our Father in Heaven.

Elder Klebingat then comes up with 6 practical suggestions on how we can accept the atonement more fully into our daily lives, and here they are:

1. Take responsibility for your own spiritual well being- NO ONE CAN DO THIS BUT YOU!
2. Take responsibility for your own physical well being
3. Embrace voluntary,  whole hearted obedience to God and His commandments
4. Become really, really good at repenting quickly and thoroughly
5. Become really, really good at forgiving
6. Accept trials, setbacks, and "surprises" as part of your mortal experience

All these ideas are so simple. And I am learning it is in the small tweaks and changes we make that the biggest differences occur. I am really excited to keep applying these truths into my life this year- I know I have a ton to improve on and adjust, and I know I won't have it all figured out this year. But I am excited to start now and become better than I was last year. And today I am excited to be better than I was yesterday. 

I am so grateful to know that I have power, through the atonement of Jesus Christ to do whatever I put my mind to. I have felt the enabling power of the atonement in my life where I honestly thought I couldn't go any further. But through continual faith and repentance on my part, I have been strengthened beyond my natural capacity to overcome trial after trial, as well as my own weaknesses to where I am today. I am so grateful for the atonement of Christ in my life. I know that I can be much better at showing my gratitude for it in how I live. I want the way I live to be a reflection of my gratitude for this beautiful gift. I know I can do whatever I put my mind to with God's help and with the help of Christ if I do my part. I am excited for what lies ahead.

I love you!

Emily 

What 3 Nephi 17 Taught me about Christ

To know God and Jesus Christ is eternal life.  

John 17: 3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."  

The only way to prepare for our lives after this one, we must get to know them both.  Not just know about them but truly get to know who they are.  

Today I wanted to get to know Christ through a chapter in 3 Nephi where Christ is visiting the Americas.  Here are some things that I've learned about Christ today:

Christ is perceptive.  

After teaching the people, he perceived that they were weak and didn't understand and told them to go home, ponder, and prepare their minds for the morrow when He'll come again.  

Christ is wonderful to be around.

When he told the people that he was leaving, they looked at Him with tears in their eyes, wanting Him to tarry a little longer.  

Christ is compassionate and merciful.

Responding to their tears and faces, he said, "Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.  Have ye any that are sick among you?  Bring them hither."  And He heals them.

Christ can see our faith.  Being around Him moves us.  

Christ only healed them, because He could see that their faith was sufficient.  He healed them each one by one until the multitude bowed down and bathed his feet with their tears.  

Christ loves the little children. 

After healing everyone, which I'm sure took a lot of energy, plus he had already been teaching them all day, he asked for the children and placed them around him.  He knelt down and prayed with and for the people.  After praying, He blessed them one by one.    

Christ loves us.  Being around Christ fills us and makes us whole.  Around Christ, we feel full of joy.  

So great were the words of His prayer that the multitude was filled with joy and astonished.  His words filled their souls.  They were overcome with joy.  

Our faith makes Christ happy.  

Rising from prayer, Christ said, "Blessed are ye because of your faith.  And now behold, my joy is full."  Isn't it wonderful that Christ rejoices because of our faith?  Our eternal progress is what makes Him happy.       

Christ isn't afraid to cry.  He feels very deeply.

Blessing the people and the children caused Him to weep.

Christ creates spiritual experiences that make a lasting impact on people.  He always does it according to faith.

Throughout all of His teachings, ministering, prayers, and the ministering of His angels, it is easy to see the impact of the experiences on Him and on the people.  He shares the experiences with them.  He is in the moment feeling, expressing, giving, loving.  He isn't afraid to open and be filled.  He isn't afraid to beckon and fill.  He trusts His Father.  And He loves us so much.    

I want to be like Him.

I love you,

Rachel  

 

You Can Come as You Are

Christ, when dining with the publicans and sinners, hears the scribes and pharisees saying, "How is it that he eateth with publicans and sinners?"  Christ responds, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance"  (Mark 2: 15-17).

Sometimes we feel like we have to reach a certain point of progress BEFORE we can come to Christ.  Like somehow we have to earn it.  This story teaches us that we must come to Christ as the sinner.  We cannot overcome our sins alone.  We need His Atonement, and the only way to have access to it is by coming to Christ BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER repenting.  We have to choose to change and give all we have, but we need Christ to repent.

How did the woman with the bleeding problem come to Christ?  As a woman with an ongoing bleeding problem.  How did the adulteress come to Christ?  As one accused, right after the very act of sin, with a repentant heart.  She hadn't repented yet.  How were the apostles when Christ first met them?  As regular fishers and sinners.  Were they perfect?  No!  I'm sure they were great men who had integrity and used their agency pretty darn well.  However, when chosen, they were sinners too.  I love this concept.  Everyone came to Christ as they were.  Only through doing that could they repent. And only through their faith combined with the power of Christ could they become whole.

I want to change, and I can come to Christ to do so as I am.  I want to be Christ's friend, and I can do so as I am.

A friend supports the goals and causes of another.  We need to support the cause of Christ: bring all men to Him.  A good friend not only supports another with his actions but also his mind.  We need to prepare our minds with eternal truths through the study of the scriptures.  We need to make sure that the things we take into ourselves, the music, media, and other things help us to be a good friend to Christ.  A good friend listens and follows those he trusts.  We need to be obedient to Christ and our Heavenly Father.  Christ says in John 15:14 that if we want to be His friend, we better keep His commandments.  Keeping the commandments is the best way that we can come closer to and get to know Christ.

This process isn't just so that Christ can get a million friends.  He wants this because by being His friend, we can resist the attacks and temptations from Satan.  A relationship with Christ is what brings us the most joy and happiness!  Ultimately, our friendship with Christ brings us to the greatest gifts of God: eternal life.  

Christ gives His friends a promise:

"And again, verily I say unto you, my friends, I leave these sayings with you to ponder in your hearts, with this commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall call up on me while I am near--Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (D&C 88:62-63).

His promise is for each one of us.  It brings me a feeling of hope and excitement, because this year I have the goal to feel closer to Christ, and I am actively trying to draw near unto him.  That automatically means that he will draw near unto me.  I'm seeking Him, so I will find Him.  I am asking, so I will receive.  I am knocking, and I wonder what will be opened unto me this year!  I guess we shall see.

Love,

Rachel    

   

     

Be still and know that I am God

Heavens to Betsy. First off, millions of apologies for having neglecting to share my studies for so long. I am happy to be back and have made it a goal to be more consistent this coming year- so here we go!

Good gravy- it has been quite the last few months for us both, hasn't it? There have been an immense amount of painful experiences, hopelessness, darkness, and even defeat. But as I was reflecting on what I learned, I realized, I also experienced an incredible amount of joy, growth, and gratitude despite the challenges. I hope you feel similarly (in the aspect that there were positive instances woven into the last few months).

I think the biggest thing I have come to realize is just how much God is behind the scenes in our daily interactions. He is so aware of what we individually need (whether we want it or not), and also what those around us are in need of as well. And the amazing thing I realized is that God sets everything thing up not just to instruct, but really to teach us all internally on such an individual level! He knows one of his children may be struggling with a specific weakness or problem- so in order to help that child, He will allow another one of his children the opportunity to improve and learn something on their end, while helping the original said child. I don't know if I'm making any sense- but I feel like there are so many opportunities to learn, grow, and become the best version of ourselves if we open our hearts to what it is God is trying to teach us. Each person we meet has the ability to teach us something new. And yeah. A lot of the time, it won't necessarily be the most pleasant of experiences. In fact, many times, it will often be painful. But I feel it is honestly through the most painful moments we experiences the most change and growth. It is through the refining process of pain we are able, through the atonement of Christ, to shed our imperfections and become just a little bit better than we were.

I was reading in D&C 101 today, and oh boy, the parable of the watchtower was exactly what I needed to read. Essentially, there is a Lord. He has a vineyard. And he instructs his servants to prepare a watch tower and take care of his property. All the while, the servants are going, "What do we even need this for? Everything is fine, we aren't in any danger, this is pointless." Over and over, they keep telling themselves that there isn't a need to follow through with their Lord's commandments. And guess what happens? They git robbed. And thrown out. They done messed up.
The Lord of the vineyard chastises them, but does not punish them; he gives them a chance to reclaim the vineyard. What a great guy!
The servants then ask when everything will work out, to which he replies,"When I will; go ye straightway, and do all things whatsoever I have commanded you."

That is a lesson I really need to remember. God can see in all directions. He knows exactly how to help us out when we fall- and he even knows how to prevent us from falling. But even when we do fall, which will happen, because we are all human, He provides us with opportunities again and again to learn from our mistakes and prepare ourselves for the future. The only way to learn, most of the time, is to fail. Think about Edison. Any sports player. Nephi, even. He failed twice when trying to get the plates from God. It was only the the third time, when he completely put his trust in God that he was able to fulfill the commandment given to him by God.

"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; 

Be still and know that I am God."

That is it. Just give it all to God. I am still working on that one. But He's got it all under control. And I'm realizing, if I keeping worrying, not only will I make myself miserable, but I am not showing my full faith in God and His plans.

I am so grateful for this last year. I definitely think 2014 has been one of the most challenging years yet, but I can honestly say it is because of God and the atonement of Jesus Christ that I am where I am today. I am grateful for the people I was able to meet last year, and for the wonderful things each one of them taught me. I am grateful for God's love and patience with my personal weaknesses and imperfections. I am grateful that He is aware of not just me, but my family, my friends, and people I don't even know. I have learned that everyone is experiencing their own individual challenge or trial. It is not our job judge. It is not our job to fix anyone. It us our job to be understanding. Be kind. Be patient. You have no idea where they've been, their desires, their struggles, or what their prayers are like. Only God does. We are here to make the journey better for each other. I want to make that my goal for this next year- enrich the journey. Not just for myself, but for everyone. And I know I am not doing it alone. I know by myself, I can't really accomplish much of anything. But with God's help, absolutely anything is possible!

I love you and I am so grateful for everything you've share with me and done for me! 

Love,

Emily

The Process and Power of Getting to Know Christ

Some cool stuff I found today:

We don't have to see Him in order to get to know Him.  

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.  (John 20:29)  

Everyone can get to know Christ.  How?

Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am; (D&C 93:1)

To get to know Christ, we must:

• Forsake our sins
• Come unto Christ
• Call on His name 
• Obey His voice
• Keep His commandments

This is definitely a process.

During church, my phone accidentally turned to a scripture about the power of calling on Christ's name.  I know that God guided me to it, because I have been feeling a dark cloud following me around.  It has dissipated a bit this weekend.  But I know that good is more powerful than evil, and that even when we are surrounded by heavy darkness and sometimes we don't even know why, I know that our faith in Christ can keep us going and lead us to the next point of our progress.  

Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; (Moses 4:3)

Christ's power casts out Satan.  It is just an eternal truth.  The more of Christ that we have in our lives, the more we will be able to withstand darkness.  We will be able to find peace DURING the storm, not only after.  And we will come to know and trust in Christ more and more.  We will become purified even as He is pure.  Christ is so powerful.  I can't wait to get to know Him better.  

I love you,

Rachel