"Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him."

"Light of the World" photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

Light trumps darkness every single time, my friends! When you are in a dark room and turn on a light, the darkness is obliterated. The beam of a flashlight can cut through the darkness of an area illuminating a path of light before you.  Our Savior Jesus Christ is that light in our lives. How many times has He taught this to us? "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). "And I will also be your light in the wilderness, and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments..." (1 Nephi 17:13). "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not" (D&C 6:21).

Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

Do any of these situations sound familiar? Hearing back from the job you have been interviewing for only to have them tell you that, although they really liked you and think you would do well, they are going to hire someone else. Getting medical test results back that say, "Yep. This is that worst case scenario moment you imagined." Following a strong prompting to complete a laborious and emotionally taxing project only to have it not be accepted in the way you hoped it would be accepted. Seeing the single line on a pregnancy test for the 6th, 10th, even 15th month in a row.

THE FIERY FURNACE OF FAITH

Do you remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abidnego? These three young men refused to bow down and worship a golden image set up by King Nebuchandnezzar. The king was furious and told them that if they did not worship the idol, they would be immediately cast into a fiery furnace. Then he mocked their faith by asking "And who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" (Daniel 3:15). These three brave young men quickly responded, "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand​...but if not, ...we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" (Daniel 3:17-18). Talk about an example of pure faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! Their lives are on the line, yet this idea of "but if not" rings true for them as they exercise their faith. ​ Elder Dennis E. Simmons talks about this kind of faith in his 2004 Conference talk, "But If Not...".

"Three Men in the Fiery Furnance" Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

"[Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego] knew that they could trust God--even if things didn't turn out the way they hoped. They knew that faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgment that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him. 
Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, He is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him."

EASIER SAID THAN DONE

"Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not. ...Our Go will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not....He will deliver us from loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not. ...Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not. ...He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not, ...we will trust in the Lord. ...We will have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that if we do all we can do, we will in His time and in His way, be delivered and receive all that He has" ​(Simmons).

www.churchofjesuschrist.org

"Witness for His Name" photo cred: DocChristensen.com

I have the pleasure of being able to spend time with, love, and pray for a group of incredible young women. These ladies amaze me with the strength they show on a daily basis as they deal with the world around them.  My heart hurts when I think of the challenges that they face--the ones that are visible, but most especially, the ones that they try to carry on their own.  My goal--not only for this post, but for the time that I am able to spend with these ladies--is that they will be able to recognize what they can do to face their challenges with courage and faith.

13- Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14- Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15- And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16- Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17- And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18- Praying always​ with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit...

Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

PUTTING ON YOUR ARMOR

Loins girt about with truth:

Breastplate of Righteousness:

Feed Shod with Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

Shield of Faith

The Helmet of Salvation

Sword of the Spirit

LADIES...YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY NEXT, DON'T YOU?

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth..."
​1 Corinthians 13:4-8

OUR WORLD NEEDS A SERIOUS DOSE OF CHARITY

“We do not know the hearts of those who offend us. Nor do we know all the sources of our own anger and hurt. The Apostle Paul was telling us how to love in a world of imperfect people, including ourselves" (Eyring 68).

As President Eyring said, the Apostle Paul told us how to "love in a world of imperfect people, including ourselves", and that kind of love takes a lot of work. It's hard to be patient with other's shortcomings, especially when we get so focused on those that we fail to recognize our own shortcomings. It's also hard to be patient and long-suffering when we feel offended over and over again. It's hard not to be prideful and judgmental. It's hard to be humble and prayerful.  But just because it is hard, it does not mean that we shouldn't keep trying. There has only ever been one person who was perfect at charity, and that is our Savior.

“True charity has been known only once. It is shown perfectly and purely in Christ’s unfailing, ultimate, and atoning love for us” (Holland 336-37)

I am thrilled to be able to have another class that requires me to blog. WHAT?!?  I know! It's the best thing ever! Once again, I will be able to share my thoughts with you as I study the New Testament. This class that I am taking covers Acts-Revelation. I am excited to be able to review some of the things that I have already studied in the "Come Follow Me" manual (and actually study sections that I missed because...life happens, ya know?) Well, enough of my dilly dallying...let's get started, shall we?

TABITHA

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did."

I love learning about the disciples of Christ who were women. The more I study and the more I learn about these women and their love for and relationship with Christ, the more I am convinced that the Lord loves His daughters deeply. I also have seen more of the place that His daughters have in His kingdom. The Lord needs disciples of every race and gender, and I was impressed by two of those women disciples that are mentioned in the book of Acts.

Israel/Joppa Photo cred: pixabay.com

Who was Tabitha?

The Way She Lived

"Tabitha Follows Peter" photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

In "Women of the New Testament" by Camille Fronk Olson, we learn that Tabitha "gave of herself--her time and her gift with textiles...Furthermore, there is no evidence that she was wealthy, only that her good works included selfless acts of kindness toward those in need. Her faith and works in Christ naturally blended to create a genuine disciple" (148). ​The prophet Thomas S Monson said,  To me the scriptural reference to Tabitha...defines some of the fundamental responsibilities of Relief Society; namely the relief of suffering...Women of Relief Society, you truly are angels of mercy" ("Be Thou an Example", Ensign, ​November 2001, 101)

The Faith of Those Who Loved Her

To Help Others Come Unto Christ

Tabitha's miracle, brought to pass by faith, good works, and priesthood power, created a "ripple effect of good" because it "went beyond Tabitha, and the Christians in Joppa" (Olson 148). "And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord" (Acts 9:42) How many people have been touched by the story of Tabitha? We will probably never know exactly how many hearts have been prompted to change because of the example and miracle of this faithful disciple of Christ and daughter of God. I know that my heart has been touched by her example of good works and has prompted thoughts of change in my own life.

"Jesus Christ" Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

LYDIA

"She Worketh Willingly with Her Hands" by Elspeth Young Photo cred: alyoung.com

Who was Lydia? She was a "seller of purple" in the city of Thyatira. She worshiped the Lord and embraced the truths that Paul shared when he came as a missionary to her land. (Acts 16:14-15). "Purple dye was arguably the most exotic and expensive of all the dyes" and the city of Thyatria, "had a flourishing dyers guild and was...famous for its manufacturing of the expensive and luxurious purple dye (Olson 281). Lydia was likely wealthy because of the business she fan of "selling the finished purple cloth" (Olson 282). She ran a household and was most likely very respected in her community (Acts 16:15).

What Can We Learn From Lydia?

"Lydia shines in scripture as a golden convert. She understood the gospel. She listened. She led all of her household into baptism after her. She shared her resources with the missionaries...she was eager to learn as soon as she met the missionaries. She had nothing to gain professionally through her conversion to Christianity and plenty to lose" (Olson 285).

Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

Oh, that I can be like Lydia. Even though I was born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that doesn't mean that I was born and raised converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Like Lydia was taught by the missionaries, I was taught by my parents, church leaders, and seminary teachers. Like Lydia, I listened (most of the time), and I allowed the word of the Lord to penetrate into my heart, creating a change therein. I am still in the process of my conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I still have questions, concerns, and anxieties about things that I don't fully understand. But I don't let those things overcome the things that I DO know; the things that have been emblazoned upon my heart and soul. I'm sure they are similar to the things that Lydia learned as she listened to the missionaries and then turned to the Lord in prayer.

In Conclusion...

RELATED POSTS:

Come Follow Me:  Parables and Miracles

Songs for the Sabbath: He Lives

Songs for the Sabbath: Strong

She Teaches Fearlessly: ​Greater Things

​John 21:19- "In your patience possess ye your souls."  "Possess ye"- preserve, win mastery over. "Patience"- something that I lack and am constantly trying to work on having. Anyone else have this problem with patience? Or is it just me?

Perfectly Patient

Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

Enduring to the End

"The Second Coming" Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

Another part of my studying and pondering about patience made me realize just how important it is to patiently endure to the end. Whether it is enduring to the end of a day, the end of a semester, the end of an illness or challenging life experience, or enduring to the end of my life, that all takes patience. That process of enduring patiently is hard, but it has also brought change and growth in ways that I wouldn't have otherwise been able to experience that change and growth. "Patience is a process of perfection. The Savior Himself said that in your patience you possess your souls. Or, to use another translation of the Greek text, in your patience you win mastery of your souls.  Patience means to abide in faith, knowing that sometimes it is in the waiting rather than in the receiving that we grow the most..." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf ("Continue in Patience," Ensign, May 2010, 59). Change is hard, and growing and stretching hurts, but I have never gone through a trial and when reaching the other side said, "Well, that was a waste of time." I have sometimes lamented over the fact that going through the trial probably took a lot longer than it needed to because of my lack of patience and humility, but I have never been ungrateful for a growing experience.

Becoming Like He is...AKA "Goals"

I think Elder Uchtdorf summed it up nicely in his talk "Continue in Patience" in the April 2010 General Conference: "Without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace. ... ...Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can--working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well! ... Patience is a godly attribute that can heal souls, unlock treasures of knowledge and understanding, and transform ordinary men and women into saints and angels. ..."

"Christ Teaching the People" Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

Have you ever lost something? Of course you have! What human being has not ever lost something in his or her life?  How does it feel when you lose something? If you are anything like me, the range of emotions is quite wide. I usually go from annoyance to frustration to a little bit of anger to more annoyance (unless I have found the object by this point) to maybe even a little bit of sadness. But then the magic moment comes. That moment when you find the item that was lost and immediately the annoyance, frustration and anger subside. Sometimes those feelings are even replaced with a little dose of humility and chagrin.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

In Luke 15:4-7, we read the parable of the lost sheep.  "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." President David O. McKay (1873-1970), a prophet of the Lord, shared some insights about the three parables that I am sharing today. He talked about how each parable teaches about different ways that the children of God stray away from Him. This is what President McKay said about this parable of the Lost Sheep:

"Rescue of the Lost Lamb" Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

"How did that sheep get lost? He was not rebellious. If you follow the comparison, the lamb was seeking its livelihood in a perfectly legitimate manner, but either stupidly, perhaps unconsciously, it followed the enticement of the field, the prospect of better grass until it got out beyond the fold and was lost.

So we have those in the Church...who wander away from the fold in perfectly legitimate ways. They are seeking success, success in business, success in their professions, and before long they become disinterested in the Church and finally disconnected from the fold." (in Conference Report, April 1945, 120-21, 123).

Photo cred: Pixabay.com

"Some [children of God] are lost because they are different. They feel as though they don't belong. Perhaps because they are different, they find themselves slipping away from the flock. They may look, act, think, and speak differently than those around them and that sometimes causes them to assume they don't fit in. They conclude that they are not needed. ...

...If we only had more compassion for those who are different from us, it would lighten many of the problems and sorrows in the world today. ...

Some are lost because they are weary. It's easy to feel overwhelmed. With all the pressures and demands on our time and the stress we face each day, it's little wonder we get tired. Many feel discouraged because they have not measure up to their potential. Others simply feel too weak to contribute. And so, as the flock moves on, gradually, almost imperceptibly, some fall behind." ("Concern for the One," Ensign, May 2008, 18-19).

The Parable of the Lost Piece of Silver

The Savior continues His teachings of "lost things" in Luke 15:8-10 with the parable of the lost piece of silver. "Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

"In this case the thing lost was not in itself responsible. The one who had been trusted with that coin had, through carelessness or neglect, mislaid it or dropped it. ...Our charge is not only coins, but living souls of children, youth, and adults. They are our charges."

“There must be warmth in the work of the Lord. There must be friendship. There must be love unfeigned. There must be appreciation and thanks expressed. There must be constant nurturing with the good word of God. All of these are small things, so easy to do, and they make so great a difference." (“There Must Be Messengers,”Ensign, Oct. 1987, 5).

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

This may be a familiar parable/story for you and it has been analyzed and mentioned many times throughout history. Found in Luke 15:11-32, we learn about a son who demanded that his father give him his inheritance so he could leave and go experience the world. The son went "into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living" (verse 13). Eventually, he spent his entire inheritance and ended up feeding swine. "He came to himself" (verse 17) and realized his mistakes.  "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants" (verse 18). And what did the father do when he saw his son? Did he shun him as "tradition" of the day would have had him do? No. He "had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him" (verse 20). From Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “The tender image of this boy’s anxious, faithful father running to meet him and showering him with kisses is one of the most moving and compassionate scenes in all of holy writ. It tells every child of God, wayward or otherwise, how much God wants us back in the protection of His arms” (“The Other Prodigal,” Ensign, May 2002, 62). "The Prodigal Son" by Liz Lemon Swindle

"The Prodigal Son" Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org I love the painting on the left. It was painted by Liz Lemon Swindle and it is entitled "The Prodigal Son". I think it beautifully depicts the way that our Heavenly Father feels when we return to Him. Going back to the words of President David O. McKay--He said that in this parable, the person who was lost became lost because of his own choices.  Does that mean that we're done? We make some bad choices, get lost, and then...that's it? No heaven? No salvation? No exaltation? Absolutely not. Like the Father in the parable, our Father in Heaven is constantly looking over the horizon, waiting and watching for us to use the agency He gave us to choose to come to Him. And, like the father in the parable, He will run to us, have compassion on us, and celebrate our return.

"The parable of the prodigal son teaches us much about the nature and attributes of our Father in Heaven. Like the father in the parable, God will not control us, keep us from straying, or keep us from making selfish, foolish errors. Yet His love never diminishes. He is so anxious to have us return that He will run to us when we are still “a great way off” (Luke 15:20). He knows us so well that He can recognize our better selves when no one else can. Each of us, male or female, will be able to recognize something of ourselves in each of the sons in the parable.
The parable also teaches us about what the Savior does for us when we turn from sin and return to Him. Through the Atonement, He runs to welcome us home and does not require us to make the trek of repentance alone" (New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 18).

We are Never Truly Lost to the Lord

Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

Divine: "Of, from, or like God or a god." Mission: "A specific task with which a person or group is charged." The Savior has a divine mission, a specific task that He was foreordained to complete. That divine mission has many aspects to it, but everything comes back to the fact that He is our Savior and Redeemer. He atoned for our sins, weaknesses, infirmities, and everything else that seems unfair about this life. He died on the cross and was resurrected and because of those two selfless and courageous acts, He made it possible for us to return to live with Him, our Heavenly Parents, and our own families forever.  As I have studied in the New Testament over the last few weeks, I have marked the different aspects of the Savior's divine mission that have stood out to me and I would like to share a couple of them with you on this Sabbath day.

He came to heal us from sin.

Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

Matthew 9:13 "But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Luke 5:31-32 "...They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

He came to save that which was lost.

Photo cred: pixabay.com

John 10:11, 14, 16, 27-28 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep...I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine...And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd...My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish..."

Mark 6:34 "And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things."

Matthew 15:24 "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

​I love this quote from President Dallin H. Oaks, a modern-day Apostle of the Lord: ​"The Lord loves all of His children. He desires that all have the fulness of His truth and the abundance of His blessings. He knows when they are ready, and He wants us to hear and heed His directions on sharing His gospel. When we do so, those who are prepared will respond to the message of Him who said, 'My sheep hear my voice...and they follow me'" ("Sharing the Gospel", Ensign, Nov. 2001, 9). One question I have asked myself this week and now pose to you, whomever you are, who may be reading this post... What can I do to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd and heed Him when He calls to me? I have discovered that the one sure way to recognize the voice of the Savior is to choose to follow His teachings. When you do His will, you will come to know His doctrine (John 7:17). Yes, you will have questions and concerns because you are only able to look at things and understand them with your imperfect, mortal heart and brain.

#1- It is important to have friends who help you come unto Christ.

"Man stricken with palsy" Image from ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Image from ChurchofJesusChrist.org

This has led me to ask myself this week. "Am I that kind of friend who would sacrifice everything so that my friends can come to know the Savior?" I like to think that the answer to that question is, "Yes." At least, that is what I try my best to do. I know that the Savior has the power to heal and I would do anything for my family and friends to develop a personal relationship with their Savior that would bring His healing power into their lives. However, the healing power that I speak of is not just the power to heal physical infirmities. As we learn from the Savior Himself in this story, it is more important that we come to the Savior so that, through His Atonement we can be forgiven of our sins, our spiritual infirmities.

#2- Part of the Savior's divine mission is to call the sinners to repentance.

"Jesus Walking on Water" Image from ChurchofJesusChrist.org

"Because of what He accomplished by His atoning sacrifice, Jesus Christ has the power to prescribe the conditions we must fulfill to qualify for the blessings of His Atonement.
That is why we have commandments and ordinances. That is why we make covenants. That is how we qualify for the promised blessings."
-Dallin H. Oaks

#3- The Savior's compassion and power to heal are extended to all people, everywhere.

Image from ChurchofJesusChrist.org

"When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, 
I shall be whole.
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague." -Mark 5:27-28

Once again, I have seen the hand of the Lord blessing me in my life.  Those who follow this blog know that since I have started school, blogging consistently has been very difficult for me. It has been one of the good things that I have had to lay aside as I have focused on the best things that I need to be doing with my time right now. But, at least for the next 6 weeks, I will be able to do a weekly blog post that will be part of an assignment for one of my classes, so I will have to make time for it. Yay! This makes me so happy because... A.) I love blogging and I have missed it and... B.) I get to blog about my Savior every week. God is so good, my friends. So very, very good. Never forget that.

Come, Follow Me

Since January, we have not had a discussion every night of the week. Most weeks we get in 2-3 nights of great discussion.  Some weeks, such as last week, we got in 0 days of great discussion.

Some weeks everyone comes prepared with a section read to discuss a maximum of 1 time per week.  Usually it's 0 times that everyone has read the material before we meet to discuss.


I have rarely planned ahead and have never put together an object lesson to go along with what we are talking about.

HOWEVER...
Most weeks, as we plan the time in our schedule to meet and discuss the life of the Savior, and make it happen, I feel a difference in the way we interact with one another and the amount of contention in our home.


AND, I am always blown away with what the girls bring to the discussion. At 17, 15, and 12, these young ladies have so much to contribute to our conversations about the Savior. I cannot wait until their brother comes home from his mission so he can weigh in with his wisdom and insights. 

Get Thee Hence, Satan.

Is God really there?
Does God hear my prayers or is He too busy listening to the prayers of others?
How can we really all be children of God? There are so many people on this earth. Not to mention all the people who have previously lived on the earth.

"Get thee hence, Satan."

"Light of the World" by Brent Borup Image courtesy of ChurchofJesusChrist.org