Hello to my reader(s).
I really would like to make a point of saying that my lack of posting on this blog has really effected me. Let me explain.
We are promised that if we study the scriptures (Bible, Book of Mormon, or what have you) we will be better in tune with what our Father in Heaven wants for us. I don't want to completely blame my lack of scripture study on school (although it did fall into the same time frame as when the semester started). I just want to admit that I've fallen into the trap that most God-fearing folks fall into because I've neglected to create a habit.
I would like to bear short testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and its life changing power if we believe on, practice, and dare Heavenly Father to fulfill its words.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Time, time, time
Sorry about the hiatus, folks. New semester, new routine, new Allison, new everything.
More scripture will come shortly.
More scripture will come shortly.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Park City
Mosiah 11:13
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. While I pick my scripture to ponder I try to avoid Scripture Mastery. What does that have to do with this scripture? Absolutely everything.
This scripture is in the middle of a description of how King Noah (bad guy) treats his people. He taxes them one fifth of everything and uses the money for his own riotous living. He eats food, dresses in fine linens, and drinks wines. He takes the gold, silver, and ziff and decorates his palaces, workers, and himself with it. He even builds towers in the land of Shilom. Shilom was a resort town for the Nephites.
Wait a minute? Resort? I can see it now. Nephites lounging around a pool drinking all manner of beverages with umbrellas in them. Nephites getting deep tissue massages and golfing. Nephites eating at five star restaurants that are in the resort. Nephites wearing robes and hotel sandals. Nephite men and Nephite women getting a weekend away from their Nephite children.
Then after I was done picturing these Nephites having a grand time at Sandals, I re-read the passage. They went to Shilom as refugees when they had to flee their land. Then I thought of (confirm Allison’s geeknees…now) how Helm’s Deep was a resort for the people of Rohan. If we look up the word resort, the sixth definition is a person or thing resorted to for aid.
I don’t really have any doctrine to get a hold of here. I thought it was funny to think the Nephites had a resort town.
lds.org
mormon.org
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. While I pick my scripture to ponder I try to avoid Scripture Mastery. What does that have to do with this scripture? Absolutely everything.
This scripture is in the middle of a description of how King Noah (bad guy) treats his people. He taxes them one fifth of everything and uses the money for his own riotous living. He eats food, dresses in fine linens, and drinks wines. He takes the gold, silver, and ziff and decorates his palaces, workers, and himself with it. He even builds towers in the land of Shilom. Shilom was a resort town for the Nephites.
Wait a minute? Resort? I can see it now. Nephites lounging around a pool drinking all manner of beverages with umbrellas in them. Nephites getting deep tissue massages and golfing. Nephites eating at five star restaurants that are in the resort. Nephites wearing robes and hotel sandals. Nephite men and Nephite women getting a weekend away from their Nephite children.
Then after I was done picturing these Nephites having a grand time at Sandals, I re-read the passage. They went to Shilom as refugees when they had to flee their land. Then I thought of (confirm Allison’s geeknees…now) how Helm’s Deep was a resort for the people of Rohan. If we look up the word resort, the sixth definition is a person or thing resorted to for aid.
I don’t really have any doctrine to get a hold of here. I thought it was funny to think the Nephites had a resort town.
lds.org
mormon.org
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Let the glory be thine, again
At 12:15 every Wednesday afternoon at the Church Office Building there is a scripture study class. I’ve been the last two times and it’s been interesting. Today we talked about the war chapters in Alma. There hasn’t been much room for discussion but it’s still fun to go and listen to the instructor’s opinions. I thought I was going to get some inspiration from today’s class but my eyes were actually drawn to a scripture I boxed off a while ago
Alma 48:17
How or when I cross referenced it to this scripture, I’ll never know
Alma 60: 36
It goes along with the theme of glorifying Heavenly Father in all things. We discussed this a couple days ago. Moroni is pretty clear in Alma 60:36 about glorifying Heavenly Father.
Now, think. If every man glorified God as Moroni did what option would Satan have but to shrink in fear? Or what if every man glorified God even a little?
Alma 48:17
How or when I cross referenced it to this scripture, I’ll never know
Alma 60: 36
It goes along with the theme of glorifying Heavenly Father in all things. We discussed this a couple days ago. Moroni is pretty clear in Alma 60:36 about glorifying Heavenly Father.
Now, think. If every man glorified God as Moroni did what option would Satan have but to shrink in fear? Or what if every man glorified God even a little?
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A Principle
I decided to deviate from the norm (if you will). I don’t have a scripture today. Well, I have a scripture to back up what I want to say. On the train I decided to read the textbook (which I paid half the bookstore price on bigwords.com) for my Personality Theory class. I’m about to start the story of Abinadi so I promise, I’ll get some juicy tid bits later this week. (idea cloud) I know. In the mornings I’ll study my textbooks. In the evenings I’ll study the scriptures. There. Done and done.
I would like to bear a short testimony of tithing.
We neither grew up wanting nor with excess. I’m pretty sure I was taught tithing as a primary age child. You know, the teacher gives you the envelope, tithing slip and ten pennies, you give the cent to the bishop because that represents the tenth. So that was the mechanics of it. I don’t think I was ever taught the principle of it until I was probably 20.
Malachi 3: 8-10
When I moved out on my own I paid my tithing sporadically. But I knew that if I paid my tithing that my finances would be okay. But that’s only if you pay it faithfully. While attending my university ward I was famous for telling the bishop as I handed over my money, “I could pay a bill with this.” I found that with this attitude my money slipped through my fingers.
Since then I’ve started attending my family ward and I changed my outlook on tithing. Now when I make my offering I think, and sometimes say, “I’d like to exchange this for blessings.” I found that with this attitude His money slipped through my fingers but I didn't really care as much because I knew it was His money.
I can honestly say that when I am consistent in paying my tithing and offerings, Heavenly Father really gives me too much. Note that I didn’t say too much money because I don’t have one of those stories where it’s either my rent or my tithing so I pay my tithing and somehow I get the money to pay my rent. No, that doesn’t happen to me. If it does, you’ll be the first to know.
I can say this: when I pay my tithing and offerings I come out ahead. Now, my mortal, finite mind cannot fathom this because that dollar amount goes into the subtract column of my Excel spreadsheet entitled Budget. Yet still, the money I always need is there at the end of the pay period.
Test Heavenly Father. Dare Him to bless you.
lds.org
mormon.org
I would like to bear a short testimony of tithing.
We neither grew up wanting nor with excess. I’m pretty sure I was taught tithing as a primary age child. You know, the teacher gives you the envelope, tithing slip and ten pennies, you give the cent to the bishop because that represents the tenth. So that was the mechanics of it. I don’t think I was ever taught the principle of it until I was probably 20.
Malachi 3: 8-10
When I moved out on my own I paid my tithing sporadically. But I knew that if I paid my tithing that my finances would be okay. But that’s only if you pay it faithfully. While attending my university ward I was famous for telling the bishop as I handed over my money, “I could pay a bill with this.” I found that with this attitude my money slipped through my fingers.
Since then I’ve started attending my family ward and I changed my outlook on tithing. Now when I make my offering I think, and sometimes say, “I’d like to exchange this for blessings.” I found that with this attitude His money slipped through my fingers but I didn't really care as much because I knew it was His money.
I can honestly say that when I am consistent in paying my tithing and offerings, Heavenly Father really gives me too much. Note that I didn’t say too much money because I don’t have one of those stories where it’s either my rent or my tithing so I pay my tithing and somehow I get the money to pay my rent. No, that doesn’t happen to me. If it does, you’ll be the first to know.
I can say this: when I pay my tithing and offerings I come out ahead. Now, my mortal, finite mind cannot fathom this because that dollar amount goes into the subtract column of my Excel spreadsheet entitled Budget. Yet still, the money I always need is there at the end of the pay period.
Test Heavenly Father. Dare Him to bless you.
lds.org
mormon.org
Monday, August 11, 2008
Trust, again
Mosiah 10:11
There are one of two ways we could go with today’s ponder scripture.
1. Trusting in the arm of flesh (footnote a)
2. Traditions of our fathers
When I first read the scripture I thought of category number one (2 Nephi 4:34). We will explore the traditions of our fathers vein at a later time. And when I say “at a later time” I mean not today.
When I joined the National Guard in April 2001 I signed the standard 6x2 contract. This means six years of Weekend Warrior service and two years of inactive service. Inactive service means my name and Army job go into a giant pool and if they needed me I would go. This didn’t sound too bad to me in peacetime.
In April 2007 my Weekend Warrior service ended. My mind became a flurry of activity. I was a vehicle mechanic for the Army. This is a top ten job, meaning they need them. Hum. We’re still at war. This caused a problem. I didn’t want to go back to Afghanistan and I didn’t want to go to Iraq. In my haste to get out of the Army I forgot about the two years of inactive service so I stopped caring about the whole Physical Training aspect of the Army. In order for one to re-enlist you need to pass your PT test. Once I evaluated all my options (how I went about that will be explained in the next paragraph), my aim was to re-enlist, stay in my unit (which just got back from war), and get out in April 2009 after completing eight years of Weekend Warrior service.
While evaluating my options and coming to the conclusion that I wanted to re-enlist, I talked to several trusted people in my unit. They gave me their advice. They talked to me very sincerely as a person and as a soldier. They loved me for who I was and I felt they were truly concerned for my well being. I weighed my options from the half dozen people that I talked to and decided that staying in the unit was my best course of action.
I didn’t pass my PT test.
I couldn’t re-enlist.
My name went into the inactive pool; in fact, it’s there until April 2009.
Even though I have a top ten Army job I’m still here, in Salt Lake, being as much of a civilian as I can. What would’ve happened if I didn’t depend on the strength of men? Would my outcome still be what it is today or would I be blogging from a dusty tent with my weapon on my shoulder and my body armor on the hook waiting for me to put it on? To be honest, I don’t know. But things probably would’ve gone a lot smoother if I had listened.
lds.org
mormon.org
There are one of two ways we could go with today’s ponder scripture.
1. Trusting in the arm of flesh (footnote a)
2. Traditions of our fathers
When I first read the scripture I thought of category number one (2 Nephi 4:34). We will explore the traditions of our fathers vein at a later time. And when I say “at a later time” I mean not today.
When I joined the National Guard in April 2001 I signed the standard 6x2 contract. This means six years of Weekend Warrior service and two years of inactive service. Inactive service means my name and Army job go into a giant pool and if they needed me I would go. This didn’t sound too bad to me in peacetime.
In April 2007 my Weekend Warrior service ended. My mind became a flurry of activity. I was a vehicle mechanic for the Army. This is a top ten job, meaning they need them. Hum. We’re still at war. This caused a problem. I didn’t want to go back to Afghanistan and I didn’t want to go to Iraq. In my haste to get out of the Army I forgot about the two years of inactive service so I stopped caring about the whole Physical Training aspect of the Army. In order for one to re-enlist you need to pass your PT test. Once I evaluated all my options (how I went about that will be explained in the next paragraph), my aim was to re-enlist, stay in my unit (which just got back from war), and get out in April 2009 after completing eight years of Weekend Warrior service.
While evaluating my options and coming to the conclusion that I wanted to re-enlist, I talked to several trusted people in my unit. They gave me their advice. They talked to me very sincerely as a person and as a soldier. They loved me for who I was and I felt they were truly concerned for my well being. I weighed my options from the half dozen people that I talked to and decided that staying in the unit was my best course of action.
I didn’t pass my PT test.
I couldn’t re-enlist.
My name went into the inactive pool; in fact, it’s there until April 2009.
Even though I have a top ten Army job I’m still here, in Salt Lake, being as much of a civilian as I can. What would’ve happened if I didn’t depend on the strength of men? Would my outcome still be what it is today or would I be blogging from a dusty tent with my weapon on my shoulder and my body armor on the hook waiting for me to put it on? To be honest, I don’t know. But things probably would’ve gone a lot smoother if I had listened.
lds.org
mormon.org
Friday, August 8, 2008
Trust
Mosiah 7:19
There is a song called Gravity by A Perfect Circle on the album Thirteenth Step. I know, I know, it’s Maynard from Tool but sometimes, just sometimes, even Maynard can be inspiring. Like this line from the aforementioned song:
I am surrendering to gravity and the unknown.
We can receive inspiration from almost anywhere. I say almost anywhere because I don’t think I’ve ever learned or been inspired from a Cosmopolitan Magazine or when I am self absorbed and mopey about my life. When I get all excited about doctrine or going to do temple work I find that little things in TV, movies, music, or books stand out as help in my life.
When I read the phrase “put your trust in God” from today’s ponder scripture surrendering to gravity and the unknown popped into my head.
It is difficult to put our trust in something that is unknown. Sister Elaine S. Dalton, President of the Young Women General Presidency, stated “Your foundation of faith must be firmly centered on Jesus Christ. Having that kind of faith means you rely on Him, you trust in Him, and even though you do not understand all things, you know that He does.”
For some, faith is as easy as eating a big bowl of chocolate/vanilla/strawberry ice cream. For some, faith is as hard as the lactose intolerant person that wants to eat the big bowl of chocolate/vanilla/strawberry ice cream. So, have faith even though you are surrendering to gravity and the unknown…I know it’s not that simple.
Does Heavenly Father exist?
Can he do for me what he did for the Israelites?
Do I need to keep doing surrendering?
Will surrendering to gravity and the unknown get easier?
I can tell you that the answers to these questions is a resounding yes.
1. For some it is given to have faith.
2. For others it is given to believe in those that have faith.
If we fall into the first statement. Freakin’ have faith.
If we fall into the second statement. Find out who your faith havin’ friends are and listen to them.
lds.org
mormon.org
There is a song called Gravity by A Perfect Circle on the album Thirteenth Step. I know, I know, it’s Maynard from Tool but sometimes, just sometimes, even Maynard can be inspiring. Like this line from the aforementioned song:
I am surrendering to gravity and the unknown.
We can receive inspiration from almost anywhere. I say almost anywhere because I don’t think I’ve ever learned or been inspired from a Cosmopolitan Magazine or when I am self absorbed and mopey about my life. When I get all excited about doctrine or going to do temple work I find that little things in TV, movies, music, or books stand out as help in my life.
When I read the phrase “put your trust in God” from today’s ponder scripture surrendering to gravity and the unknown popped into my head.
It is difficult to put our trust in something that is unknown. Sister Elaine S. Dalton, President of the Young Women General Presidency, stated “Your foundation of faith must be firmly centered on Jesus Christ. Having that kind of faith means you rely on Him, you trust in Him, and even though you do not understand all things, you know that He does.”
For some, faith is as easy as eating a big bowl of chocolate/vanilla/strawberry ice cream. For some, faith is as hard as the lactose intolerant person that wants to eat the big bowl of chocolate/vanilla/strawberry ice cream. So, have faith even though you are surrendering to gravity and the unknown…I know it’s not that simple.
Does Heavenly Father exist?
Can he do for me what he did for the Israelites?
Do I need to keep doing surrendering?
Will surrendering to gravity and the unknown get easier?
I can tell you that the answers to these questions is a resounding yes.
1. For some it is given to have faith.
2. For others it is given to believe in those that have faith.
If we fall into the first statement. Freakin’ have faith.
If we fall into the second statement. Find out who your faith havin’ friends are and listen to them.
lds.org
mormon.org
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Let the glory be thine
Mosiah 2:16
When I was a senior in high school (Hunter Wolverines) I had a seminary teacher named Brother Jones. At the beginning of the year in the standard new people in a seminary/institute class getting to know you exercises we have grown to know and love, Brother Jones wrote a series of lines on the board:
Name
Graduating class
What you are excited to learn about in the New Testament
If you could take anybody, dead or alive, to homecoming who would it be
I was sitting in the back of the room, close to the door. When it came to be my turn I stood up and gave my answers to the lines:
Allison Sabo
2001
I’m most excited to learn about the Book of Revelation
If I could take anybody, dead or alive, to homecoming it would be John Lennon
Everyday, before lesson time, Brother Jones would ask if we had any questions. Without fail, there would be one or two questions. These could be questions from scripture study, from the Young Women’s lesson the night before, from Sunday School, or just questions about how the Church works. He would always take the time to answer our questions in a detailed way using the Spirit, the scriptures and talks from the general authorities. More often than not, question would lead to question would lead to question and question time would take up the whole period. I enjoyed seminary that year. It was I dare say, the only year I felt that I belonged or felt included in the seminary program.
Since we never usually got to our lessons, yet Brother Jones was still testifying of Christ, we didn’t get to learning about the Crucifixion until April (fitting) and only got about half way through the Acts by Memorial Day. Around state swim meet time, in February, I realized that at the rate we were going we weren’t going to get to the Book of Revelation. This disappointed me a little. But my disappointment faded away when later that year he told us that every other class was having scripture chases and watching family friendly movies a little after Easter. He explained that they got through the doctrine, they got through the meat of the scriptures but what about the feeling of the scriptures? What about the testifying power of the Holy Ghost? How do we know that the scriptures are really true? Is it from who can find the scripture the fastest or is it from actually looking at the books, reading them, and allowing the Spirit to dwell within our hearts for a season?
Whenever we would try to thank Brother Jones for answering our questions he would always point up. Well, it wasn’t even when we would try to thank him. He was always pointing up. About six weeks into the year he asked us if we knew why he would point up. Of course, we didn’t know. He explained that he points up because the lessons and the questions and the answers and the revelation and the feelings don’t come from him, they come from Him. Brother Jones didn’t want the glory. He was merely in the service of God. He didn’t want to boast, he wanted to glorify Heavenly Father. He pointed up because he wanted us to glorify Heavenly Father.
lds.org
mormon.org
When I was a senior in high school (Hunter Wolverines) I had a seminary teacher named Brother Jones. At the beginning of the year in the standard new people in a seminary/institute class getting to know you exercises we have grown to know and love, Brother Jones wrote a series of lines on the board:
Name
Graduating class
What you are excited to learn about in the New Testament
If you could take anybody, dead or alive, to homecoming who would it be
I was sitting in the back of the room, close to the door. When it came to be my turn I stood up and gave my answers to the lines:
Allison Sabo
2001
I’m most excited to learn about the Book of Revelation
If I could take anybody, dead or alive, to homecoming it would be John Lennon
Everyday, before lesson time, Brother Jones would ask if we had any questions. Without fail, there would be one or two questions. These could be questions from scripture study, from the Young Women’s lesson the night before, from Sunday School, or just questions about how the Church works. He would always take the time to answer our questions in a detailed way using the Spirit, the scriptures and talks from the general authorities. More often than not, question would lead to question would lead to question and question time would take up the whole period. I enjoyed seminary that year. It was I dare say, the only year I felt that I belonged or felt included in the seminary program.
Since we never usually got to our lessons, yet Brother Jones was still testifying of Christ, we didn’t get to learning about the Crucifixion until April (fitting) and only got about half way through the Acts by Memorial Day. Around state swim meet time, in February, I realized that at the rate we were going we weren’t going to get to the Book of Revelation. This disappointed me a little. But my disappointment faded away when later that year he told us that every other class was having scripture chases and watching family friendly movies a little after Easter. He explained that they got through the doctrine, they got through the meat of the scriptures but what about the feeling of the scriptures? What about the testifying power of the Holy Ghost? How do we know that the scriptures are really true? Is it from who can find the scripture the fastest or is it from actually looking at the books, reading them, and allowing the Spirit to dwell within our hearts for a season?
Whenever we would try to thank Brother Jones for answering our questions he would always point up. Well, it wasn’t even when we would try to thank him. He was always pointing up. About six weeks into the year he asked us if we knew why he would point up. Of course, we didn’t know. He explained that he points up because the lessons and the questions and the answers and the revelation and the feelings don’t come from him, they come from Him. Brother Jones didn’t want the glory. He was merely in the service of God. He didn’t want to boast, he wanted to glorify Heavenly Father. He pointed up because he wanted us to glorify Heavenly Father.
lds.org
mormon.org
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Promises, promises
Mosiah 1:7
What is the “them” in this scripture?
As was stated yesterday, we have a luster but what makes us golden? Yes, that’s it. Scripture study helps. Them in this scripture makes reference to the verse before stating that the records, sayings, and plates are true. These records are what become the Book of Mormon. If the people in the book of Mosiah are testifying that the records, sayings, and plates before them are true then we know that the Book of Mormon is true.
Now that we’ve established that the Book of Mormon is true we can then learn that if we search “them” diligently we will profit from it.
We also find that ever so prevalent phrase “keep the commandments and prosper in the land.” He adds just a bit more: keep the commandments and prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.
2 Nephi 10:17 was the first scripture I wrote on a Post-It and put on the wall of my cubicle. Heavenly Father makes promises and, according to Nephi, will fulfill them while we are living. Isn’t that cool? He promised the Nephites that if they keep the commandments then they will prosper in the land.
Let’s think of other promises that Heavenly Father has made to us in modern day. I am immediately reminded of my Patriarchal Blessing. If I keep the commandments I will be given those promises in that blessing. How rad is that?
Way rad.
lds.org
mormon.org
What is the “them” in this scripture?
As was stated yesterday, we have a luster but what makes us golden? Yes, that’s it. Scripture study helps. Them in this scripture makes reference to the verse before stating that the records, sayings, and plates are true. These records are what become the Book of Mormon. If the people in the book of Mosiah are testifying that the records, sayings, and plates before them are true then we know that the Book of Mormon is true.
Now that we’ve established that the Book of Mormon is true we can then learn that if we search “them” diligently we will profit from it.
We also find that ever so prevalent phrase “keep the commandments and prosper in the land.” He adds just a bit more: keep the commandments and prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.
2 Nephi 10:17 was the first scripture I wrote on a Post-It and put on the wall of my cubicle. Heavenly Father makes promises and, according to Nephi, will fulfill them while we are living. Isn’t that cool? He promised the Nephites that if they keep the commandments then they will prosper in the land.
Let’s think of other promises that Heavenly Father has made to us in modern day. I am immediately reminded of my Patriarchal Blessing. If I keep the commandments I will be given those promises in that blessing. How rad is that?
Way rad.
lds.org
mormon.org
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Another Repentance Scripture
Jacob 6:5
I’m not sure why all my scriptures lately are about repentance. I have been reading the Conference Ensign. Maybe that’s it. Let’s see how many conference talks are about repentance. In the topic index (p. 3, Ensign, May 2008) there are five talks on repentance. But that’s what it boils down to, right? Faith, repentance, the Atonement, the Restoration, and our relationship to the Godhead.
I don’t want to say if we take care of those things then we are golden because by all means, we are not. We’ve gained a luster but we aren’t shiny. Maybe it’s the relationship with the Godhead that we need to focus on today. Yes, let’s do that.
1. We are daughters and sons of our Father in Heaven.
2. Jesus Christ is our brother.
3. Both Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us.
4. Heavenly Father loves us so much that he is sad when we do bad things. Remember, God only has children, no grandchildren, just children, hence the name Heavenly FATHER (dad, papa, papason, padre, dada, daddy, old man, pop).
5. Heavenly Father would like to see us again but because of our choices we become estranged from him but he still loves us.
6. Heavenly Father sacrificed his son so we could repent and see him again.
Real life example (minus my dad sacrificing my brother). When my parents got their divorce it didn’t take me long to start seeing my dad again. I loved my dad. I wanted him in my life. My sister, on the other hand, that’s a different story. My parents split in 2002 and my sister sent him a birthday present for the first time in four years in 2006. May I tell you, that is a “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” kind of step for my sister. Forget about the time when my sister came over for Thanksgiving 2007. She said she’d be to Dad’s at 6:00 PM. Right at 6, Dad started looking out the window and opening the door looking for her car. My sister is pretty consistent at being late. We love that about her. When she showed up he was ecstatic. It was four years for her to process her feelings. Did my dad love her any less because of her choice? No. But how excited was he when he saw her come over again? I’ve never seen him so happy.
This is an example of repentance. This is the healing balm of the principal.
How great is the doctrine and principle of repentance? I submit that it is more than great. I submit that it is awesome. Heavenly Father forgives and forgets. No really, he does.
lds.org
mormon.org
I’m not sure why all my scriptures lately are about repentance. I have been reading the Conference Ensign. Maybe that’s it. Let’s see how many conference talks are about repentance. In the topic index (p. 3, Ensign, May 2008) there are five talks on repentance. But that’s what it boils down to, right? Faith, repentance, the Atonement, the Restoration, and our relationship to the Godhead.
I don’t want to say if we take care of those things then we are golden because by all means, we are not. We’ve gained a luster but we aren’t shiny. Maybe it’s the relationship with the Godhead that we need to focus on today. Yes, let’s do that.
1. We are daughters and sons of our Father in Heaven.
2. Jesus Christ is our brother.
3. Both Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us.
4. Heavenly Father loves us so much that he is sad when we do bad things. Remember, God only has children, no grandchildren, just children, hence the name Heavenly FATHER (dad, papa, papason, padre, dada, daddy, old man, pop).
5. Heavenly Father would like to see us again but because of our choices we become estranged from him but he still loves us.
6. Heavenly Father sacrificed his son so we could repent and see him again.
Real life example (minus my dad sacrificing my brother). When my parents got their divorce it didn’t take me long to start seeing my dad again. I loved my dad. I wanted him in my life. My sister, on the other hand, that’s a different story. My parents split in 2002 and my sister sent him a birthday present for the first time in four years in 2006. May I tell you, that is a “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” kind of step for my sister. Forget about the time when my sister came over for Thanksgiving 2007. She said she’d be to Dad’s at 6:00 PM. Right at 6, Dad started looking out the window and opening the door looking for her car. My sister is pretty consistent at being late. We love that about her. When she showed up he was ecstatic. It was four years for her to process her feelings. Did my dad love her any less because of her choice? No. But how excited was he when he saw her come over again? I’ve never seen him so happy.
This is an example of repentance. This is the healing balm of the principal.
How great is the doctrine and principle of repentance? I submit that it is more than great. I submit that it is awesome. Heavenly Father forgives and forgets. No really, he does.
lds.org
mormon.org
Friday, August 1, 2008
Parables and an Allegory
Jacob 5:41
There are many parables in the Bible: The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-36), The Wise Man and the Foolish Man (Matthew 7:24-28), and The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), are only a few.
Parables are a wonderful way to teach because it is built in layers, like an onion. Let’s take the Prodigal Son as an example. To someone just starting to search the scriptures (this is the first few layers of the onion after you throw away that crusty skin stuff) they hear a feel-good story of a wayward son that decides to come back to his family and to his dad. To someone who understands the story and starts to look at who the major characters are and who they represent (this is the middle part of the onion) they hear a story about how the representation of the modern Church or they can pick out people in their own lives who are the wayward son, the jealous brother, or the father. To someone who has gone wayward and knew the prayers of her mother had more than just the meaning of bringing her safely “home” from Afghanistan (this is the core, bulb looking thing of the onion) this story, this representation, this life choice is more than just a story, it is salvation through repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
The fifth chapter of Jacob is an allegory. It is the same thing as a parable. It teaches spiritual principals with a story. The Allegory of the Olive Tree tells of a vineyard’s master, his servants, a vineyard of tame and wild olive trees that bring forth fruit. The master plants olive trees, grafts branches of the wild olive trees into the tame ones and vice versa and he asks his servants to help with the grafting and taking care of the olive trees.
In this story the tame olive tree is a representation of the House of Israel (Jacob 5:3). The master of the vineyard is a representation of Jesus Christ. The wild branches are people not yet adopted into the House of Israel. The vineyard represents the world. The fruit is the lives people live in the world. The servants are people called to serve Jesus Christ like prophets, Relief Society piano players, missionaries, nursery leaders, ward choir directors, sacrament meeting choristers, or the little old ladies that take us to the top of the Church Office Building in the superwayfast elevator.
The master of the vineyard (Jesus Christ) goes into his vineyard (the world) and sees that the fruit (lives) of his entire vineyard has become corrupt. So the master cries and says, “What else could I have done? Send more prophets? Send more Relief Society piano players? Send more missionaries? Send more nursery leaders? Send more ward choir directors? Send more sacrament meeting choristers? Send more little old ladies that take them to the top of the Church Office Building in the superwayfast elevators? What more could I have done to see my brothers and sisters succeed in the ways of our Father?”
Jesus Christ has sent forth prophets, Relief Society piano players, missionaries, nursery leaders, ward choir directors, sacrament meeting choristers, or the little old ladies that take us to the top of the Church Office Building in superwayfast elevators to help us realize that without Him none of this would have been possible and still we become corrupt. Let’s look to those prophets, Relief Society piano players, missionaries, nursery leaders, ward choir directors, sacrament meeting choristers, or the little old ladies that take us to the top of the Church Office Building in the superwayfast elevator that give the good word of Jesus Christ so we do not become corrupt, so that we can be better in tune for those that are on the verge of corruption, or so we can help those that are using a drinking straw to breathe because the rest of their head is under water because of corruption.
lds.org
mormon.org
There are many parables in the Bible: The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-36), The Wise Man and the Foolish Man (Matthew 7:24-28), and The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), are only a few.
Parables are a wonderful way to teach because it is built in layers, like an onion. Let’s take the Prodigal Son as an example. To someone just starting to search the scriptures (this is the first few layers of the onion after you throw away that crusty skin stuff) they hear a feel-good story of a wayward son that decides to come back to his family and to his dad. To someone who understands the story and starts to look at who the major characters are and who they represent (this is the middle part of the onion) they hear a story about how the representation of the modern Church or they can pick out people in their own lives who are the wayward son, the jealous brother, or the father. To someone who has gone wayward and knew the prayers of her mother had more than just the meaning of bringing her safely “home” from Afghanistan (this is the core, bulb looking thing of the onion) this story, this representation, this life choice is more than just a story, it is salvation through repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
The fifth chapter of Jacob is an allegory. It is the same thing as a parable. It teaches spiritual principals with a story. The Allegory of the Olive Tree tells of a vineyard’s master, his servants, a vineyard of tame and wild olive trees that bring forth fruit. The master plants olive trees, grafts branches of the wild olive trees into the tame ones and vice versa and he asks his servants to help with the grafting and taking care of the olive trees.
In this story the tame olive tree is a representation of the House of Israel (Jacob 5:3). The master of the vineyard is a representation of Jesus Christ. The wild branches are people not yet adopted into the House of Israel. The vineyard represents the world. The fruit is the lives people live in the world. The servants are people called to serve Jesus Christ like prophets, Relief Society piano players, missionaries, nursery leaders, ward choir directors, sacrament meeting choristers, or the little old ladies that take us to the top of the Church Office Building in the superwayfast elevator.
The master of the vineyard (Jesus Christ) goes into his vineyard (the world) and sees that the fruit (lives) of his entire vineyard has become corrupt. So the master cries and says, “What else could I have done? Send more prophets? Send more Relief Society piano players? Send more missionaries? Send more nursery leaders? Send more ward choir directors? Send more sacrament meeting choristers? Send more little old ladies that take them to the top of the Church Office Building in the superwayfast elevators? What more could I have done to see my brothers and sisters succeed in the ways of our Father?”
Jesus Christ has sent forth prophets, Relief Society piano players, missionaries, nursery leaders, ward choir directors, sacrament meeting choristers, or the little old ladies that take us to the top of the Church Office Building in superwayfast elevators to help us realize that without Him none of this would have been possible and still we become corrupt. Let’s look to those prophets, Relief Society piano players, missionaries, nursery leaders, ward choir directors, sacrament meeting choristers, or the little old ladies that take us to the top of the Church Office Building in the superwayfast elevator that give the good word of Jesus Christ so we do not become corrupt, so that we can be better in tune for those that are on the verge of corruption, or so we can help those that are using a drinking straw to breathe because the rest of their head is under water because of corruption.
lds.org
mormon.org
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Speaks Truth
Jacob 4:13
We are required to make such huge life decisions when we are in our 20s. Think about it. School, career, spouse, lottery winnings seperation. Well, maybe not that one. School, career, and spouse are the three biggies.
When I was 19 I thought I wanted to be President of the United States. So, being the driven individual I am, I went to the University of Utah and started studying Political Science and History.
Then deployment.
Then home.
I learned I could never be a politician when I went to D.C. with my mom I saw the people in $1,000 suits, $300 shirts, and $120 ties and said, "I can't do this." I could also never be a lawyer because I felt my standards would have to be compromised.
I was sitting at work one day about a year after we got home and a little while after I got back from D.C. and something said, "Allison, you need to go back to school." Okay, I'll do just that. I started looking at my transcript seeing how many classes I needed so I could get into law school knowing full well it wasn't the correct life decision for me. Then again, "Allison, you need to go back to school to become a doctor to help other people like you." Other people like me? Oh, Psychiatry. All the best Psychiatrists are crazy so I'd fit right in (insert family and Army issues here).
The spirit can only speak in truth. He can't lie and what he says is told to us plainly. Not only does the spirit speak truth to us but it says that truth to prophets now and prophets of old (Article of Faith 9).
The spirit doesn't lie and it speaks of things as they are and as they will be. The spirit, or the Holy Ghost, is a member of the Godhead (Article of Faith 1). So he is bound by the same laws of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Since he chills with God he knows all things, he knows the decisions we are going to make, and he speaks confidence to those decisions (D&C 35:19).
It should be a goal of ours to live our lives in such a way that we can remain worthy of the presence (presents?) of that sacred member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost, so we can hear those promptings that are for the salvation of our souls.
lds.org
mormon.org
We are required to make such huge life decisions when we are in our 20s. Think about it. School, career, spouse, lottery winnings seperation. Well, maybe not that one. School, career, and spouse are the three biggies.
When I was 19 I thought I wanted to be President of the United States. So, being the driven individual I am, I went to the University of Utah and started studying Political Science and History.
Then deployment.
Then home.
I learned I could never be a politician when I went to D.C. with my mom I saw the people in $1,000 suits, $300 shirts, and $120 ties and said, "I can't do this." I could also never be a lawyer because I felt my standards would have to be compromised.
I was sitting at work one day about a year after we got home and a little while after I got back from D.C. and something said, "Allison, you need to go back to school." Okay, I'll do just that. I started looking at my transcript seeing how many classes I needed so I could get into law school knowing full well it wasn't the correct life decision for me. Then again, "Allison, you need to go back to school to become a doctor to help other people like you." Other people like me? Oh, Psychiatry. All the best Psychiatrists are crazy so I'd fit right in (insert family and Army issues here).
The spirit can only speak in truth. He can't lie and what he says is told to us plainly. Not only does the spirit speak truth to us but it says that truth to prophets now and prophets of old (Article of Faith 9).
The spirit doesn't lie and it speaks of things as they are and as they will be. The spirit, or the Holy Ghost, is a member of the Godhead (Article of Faith 1). So he is bound by the same laws of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Since he chills with God he knows all things, he knows the decisions we are going to make, and he speaks confidence to those decisions (D&C 35:19).
It should be a goal of ours to live our lives in such a way that we can remain worthy of the presence (presents?) of that sacred member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost, so we can hear those promptings that are for the salvation of our souls.
lds.org
mormon.org
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Glory in...
2 Nephi 33:6
Just the other day I was reading in the May 2008 Ensign. There is a talk by the recently released general president of the Young Women, Sister Susan W. Tanner. Her talk is entitled My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord. She is bearing beautiful testimony of what she has grown to know and this knowledge has come from several different places.
It could come from faithfully performing the duties of her calling. It could be from raising a family in these trying times. It could be from her church instruction as a youth. What it does come from is Jesus Christ. His way is indeed plain and filled with truth. She finds it important to declare that she delights or glories in it.
If we recognize to glory in the plainness and in the truth we will eventually want to glory in Jesus. It is his way that is plain and true. With our hearts more in tune with what Jesus' way is for us it will encourage us to seek repentance through Him so our souls can be redeemed. It is only through repentance and the atonement that we will be able to live with him again.
lds.org
mormon.org
Just the other day I was reading in the May 2008 Ensign. There is a talk by the recently released general president of the Young Women, Sister Susan W. Tanner. Her talk is entitled My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord. She is bearing beautiful testimony of what she has grown to know and this knowledge has come from several different places.
It could come from faithfully performing the duties of her calling. It could be from raising a family in these trying times. It could be from her church instruction as a youth. What it does come from is Jesus Christ. His way is indeed plain and filled with truth. She finds it important to declare that she delights or glories in it.
If we recognize to glory in the plainness and in the truth we will eventually want to glory in Jesus. It is his way that is plain and true. With our hearts more in tune with what Jesus' way is for us it will encourage us to seek repentance through Him so our souls can be redeemed. It is only through repentance and the atonement that we will be able to live with him again.
lds.org
mormon.org
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Ponder Scripture
This is my second attempt at a second blog. My first attempt at a second blog totally went by the wayside.
Here is a little background.
My name is Allison and I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I’ve been a member my whole life. Although my life has taken many twists, turns, ups, and downs (more downs) I am still here and still a member. I’ve come to gain a testimony of my own of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for this is His church. I know that without a doubt that this church is the fullness of the gospel and it was restored by a prophet named Joseph Smith, Junior. He was a prophet like Moses, Adam, and Noah. He restored the gospel in this the last days prior to the coming of Christ again to rule and reign on this Earth. I know that we are lead by a true and living prophet, chosen by succession, revelation, and inspiration and his name is Thomas S. Monson. I know that Christ atoned for the sins of all, not just those that dwell here, but all those that have lived, currently live, and will live. I can testify of the cleansing power of that very Atonement for I have partaken of its bitter sweetness. I know with full surety that Christ lives. I know that Heavenly Father lives. I also know that the Book of Mormon is a true book written by ancient prophets for our day and time.
The Book of Mormon is subtitled Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This book testifies of Jesus Christ. It is a history of the posterity of Nephi, an ancient prophet. He and his family left Jerusalem and traveled to the Americas in 600 B.C.E. There are principals, stories, parables, and allegories in the Book of Mormon that I have read and studied. I have grown to know that these things written in the book are true.
This blog is subtitled “My Thoughts and Feelings on a Single Scripture During Daily Study.” I will post the previous day’s scripture passage and give you my opinions. I will also link it to the scripture page on the official website for the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints so you can read the passages around it. I invite you to post your beliefs and view points on the passage.
At the end of each entry I will put links to the offical website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (lds.org) and to the investigators website (mormon.org).
Feel free to use this as a missionary tool or if you are seeking inspiration.
Thanks for your time and happy study.
lds.org
mormon.org
Here is a little background.
My name is Allison and I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I’ve been a member my whole life. Although my life has taken many twists, turns, ups, and downs (more downs) I am still here and still a member. I’ve come to gain a testimony of my own of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for this is His church. I know that without a doubt that this church is the fullness of the gospel and it was restored by a prophet named Joseph Smith, Junior. He was a prophet like Moses, Adam, and Noah. He restored the gospel in this the last days prior to the coming of Christ again to rule and reign on this Earth. I know that we are lead by a true and living prophet, chosen by succession, revelation, and inspiration and his name is Thomas S. Monson. I know that Christ atoned for the sins of all, not just those that dwell here, but all those that have lived, currently live, and will live. I can testify of the cleansing power of that very Atonement for I have partaken of its bitter sweetness. I know with full surety that Christ lives. I know that Heavenly Father lives. I also know that the Book of Mormon is a true book written by ancient prophets for our day and time.
The Book of Mormon is subtitled Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This book testifies of Jesus Christ. It is a history of the posterity of Nephi, an ancient prophet. He and his family left Jerusalem and traveled to the Americas in 600 B.C.E. There are principals, stories, parables, and allegories in the Book of Mormon that I have read and studied. I have grown to know that these things written in the book are true.
This blog is subtitled “My Thoughts and Feelings on a Single Scripture During Daily Study.” I will post the previous day’s scripture passage and give you my opinions. I will also link it to the scripture page on the official website for the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints so you can read the passages around it. I invite you to post your beliefs and view points on the passage.
At the end of each entry I will put links to the offical website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (lds.org) and to the investigators website (mormon.org).
Feel free to use this as a missionary tool or if you are seeking inspiration.
Thanks for your time and happy study.
lds.org
mormon.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg){kind=link}
