The Will of God

          I have learned a lot in the past 4 years in the Church, but I know that I have so much more to learn. Learning within the Church is a life long process. Something that I have learned some about is the will of God. 
         Everyone has made plans for their lives. I have, and I still continue to make plans for my life, but sometimes (okay, honestly, most of the time) my plans do not coincide with what God has planned for me, at least, not in that moment of my life. One such example would be when I decided I wanted to serve a mission. I prayed about it and I counseled with my Bishop about it and I had the impression that this was the path that I should take. So, I started the process. I had finished everything except for the medical exams required. I was in the process of setting up the necessary appointments when, all of a sudden, I just felt that something was wrong. I can not quite describe the feeling. I just knew that something wasn't right. I again counseled with my Bishop and his advice was simple: I needed to pray. 
          So, yet again, I prayed about going on a mission. I still wanted to serve and I was excited to do so, but this time I got the impression that I should wait. I fasted as I prayed about this and I received the prompting that I needed to wait until after I had finished my schooling, which at that time was about 2 1/2 to 3 years, before serving a mission. 
          This experience taught me a lot about aligning my will with God's. I know that He knows where my life will be heading and what experiences I need in my life. And looking back, if I had gone on to serve a mission I would not have met some of the wonderful people that I have and I wouldn't have gained the knowledge I received from the trials I have faced. He is always aware of us and what we truly need. We all just need to be willing to give up our personal wants to follow God's path, which will lead us to where we truly need to be.
          The following video is titled: The Will of God. This story was included in a talk given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It is a prime example of making sure that we are allowing ourselves to be humble and willing to follow God's will regardless of our personal goals. 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=1839005837001

I hope that whoever reads this does not take it to mean that they should not make plans or that they don't have to make plans for their future. That is not what I am saying here. I would just hope that we can all be faithful enough to take our plans to the Lord and be willing to make course corrections if necessary to follow what He knows is best for us. I pray that we all can take our plans to Him and that we will be able to adjust to His promptings so that we will reach what will, undoubtedly, be a better future than anything we can plan for ourselves.

Worthiness Vs. Perfection/ CHRISTmas

          It has been a while since I've written, but what I have really been thinking a lot about lately is the difference between worthiness and perfection. To give a bit of background, I had a Temple Recommend interview (this is the meeting members must have with the leader of their ward or branch (and Stake) in order to enter the temple) and the last question asked is "Do you think yourself worthy of entering the House of the Lord?" (wording is probably not exact, but that's the basics of it). And, I feel, a lot of members look at worthiness as being equal to perfection. Obviously, if we were all to use that as our guideline none of us would be able to enter into the Temples. As human beings, we are naturally sinners, every single one of us. It's like the verse in Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We are imperfect beings by nature. However, there is a silver lining! It is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we are able to overcome our imperfections. When we repent, sincerely repent, we are able to renew ourselves from the sins and transgressions we have made. But, this still doesn't make us perfect. In fact, far from it. This is just the beginning steps we must all take in order to reach perfection. 
           So, what is worthiness? I think most people wouldn't be able to answer right away. I know I couldn't. Looking in my scriptures some synonyms it gives for worthiness are: cleanliness, dependability, faithfulness just to name a few. So, using these words I would say that worthiness is following the Lord and keeping the commandments as best as you know how and with all your heart. I think if everyone could understand that perfection is not what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is expecting of us in this lifetime, we will all be more forgiving and not so judgmental of others and/or ourselves. Our worthiness doesn't equal to being perfect or imperfect, but on how you are living our faith.
        
           Another topic that has been on my mind is, of course, Christmas. This time of year it is hard not to think about the lights, presents and the hustle and bustle of this time of year but, so often, we forget the real meaning for the season. The Church has released a huge Christmas Campaign titled: He is the Gift 
Here's the Ad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjFEMmM0Xs

          It shows the hustle and bustle that most of us associate with Christmas and this time of year, but it brings about a sharp reminder that the meaning of Christmas is not about the presents, pretty lights, or the ugly sweater contests, but about family, being around loved ones and most importantly the greatest and most humble gift given: The birth of Jesus Christ the Savior! I hope that we, and I also include myself in this because I, too, can get caught up in the commercialized part of the season, take the time to remember and reflect on why this time of year is so special. 

Temples

          
          Some of you may have seen or heard of the temples of the Latter-day Saints. For most people when they hear "Mormons" they automatically thing of the Salt Lake City Temple.

          And for those who live close to other temples, perhaps that is what comes to mind. Prior to joining the Church I never saw nor heard of the LDS Temples. However, once I joined the Church I became fascinated with family history work or also known as genealogy. (I'll explain in a few minutes how temples and genealogy are connected.) I was taught about how we can perform ordinances for our ancestors that have died before us. My thoughts automatically went to my grandmother, or as I called her, Nana. She past away at the age of 53 from a heart attack. I was only 6 at the time, but I was heart broken and devastated. We were really close. So, I started my quest in finding my ancestors. 

          Ok, so I'm going to explain how the temples are connected to genealogy. Remember that I stated that in the Church that we can perform ordinances for our family members that have passed? Well, those ordinances can only be done in the Temples. Most youth (and adults) of the Church age 12 and older participate in the ordinance of baptisms for the dead. It is in the Temples where we can stand as proxy for our passed loved ones to perform the ordinances that they were unable or did not get the chance to receive while alive. And just to debunk a common misconception about this ordinance, we are not baptizing our ancestors to "make them Mormon". In the Church we also believe that those who have passed still have the choice to accept, or not to accept, the ordinances in which are performed for them. The common term used is agency (this is a topic for another post). We simply give them the opportunity to decide to accept or not. 

          Temples are beautiful. Those of us in the Church acknowledge them as Houses of God. In the Temple there is a Spirit of Peace and a sense of closeness with our family that has passed and to out Heavenly Father.

           Now, there are other ordinances that also take place in Temples. These other ordinances are not talked about in as much detail as the baptisms for the dead because they are even more sacred. These other ordinances are done, first for the individual. For example, I was able to go through the Temple on July 31st, 2014 to participate in the other ordinances and since this was my first time going through, it was for myself. This ordinance is called the Endowment. In this ordinance the individual makes covenants or promises with the Lord. Then, as they return to the Temple they then go through the same ordinance as a proxy for either a deceased family member or for a name given to the Temple so the work can be done for them. Again, performing these ordinances for these people does not automatically make them "Mormon" or members of the Church. They still have the choice to accept or deny the ordinances. 

          I know that the Temples are houses of God. By going to the Temple, whether to participate in the ordinances or just sitting on the grounds, you will feel the Spirit. It will bring you peace and comfort. It will draw you closer to our Father in Heaven.  

           

The Natural Man

There is a phrase we use quite a bit in the Church: To put off the Natural Man. What does this mean? Well, the phrase comes from a verse in the Book of Mormon from the book of Mosiah 3:19 which says:

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and he will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

Other references to this phrase "natural man" can be found in the Bible in 1Corinthians 2:14 and again in the Book of Mormon in Alma 26:21.

Essentially, the natural man is, simply put, our carnal instincts. It's what someone would do if they were to only do anything purely out of instinct, without thinking about consequences or possible outcomes. I would also say that putting of the natural man includes not following the "norms" of the world or falling into the peer pressures of the world. An example for us would be our ideas on modesty. We believe that we are to respect ourselves and show respect to Heavenly Father by being modest in dress and also in thought. Also, I would also include our dietary guide, known as the Word of Wisdom (WoW). 

However, putting off the natural man isn't as easy as one may think. It is a constant struggle for most. I fail at this constantly by trying to justify doing (or not doing) something and that is also a form of NOT putting off the natural man. And, I think that is the biggest way in which most members of the Church lack in being able to put off the natural man. We can easily justify to ourselves that we can go to the next service project, or go to the temple later in the week, or read my scriptures for an extra hour tomorrow. I know I am guilty of all of those listed above. I am not perfect and neither are any of the other human beings in the Church. We are all imperfect, but we are all trying to do better.

First Sunday = Fast Sunday

          With this being the first Sunday of the month, most LDS Churches are holding what we call Fast & Testimony Meetings. The only difference between Fast Sunday and the other Sundays in the month is that those who are able, fast, or go without meals for 24 hours and pray about something that is on our mind. It can be for a person who is sick or someone just going through a rough time, or a personal problem you are experiencing. Also, during the Sacrament Meeting, the ward or branch members have the opportunity to share their testimonies with the rest of the members in attendance. On any other Sunday there would be speakers, chosen by a Ward/Branch leader, who give a talk on a spiritual topic. 

          Testimony meetings are a special opportunity for us, as members, to share our faith and our beliefs with others in our congregation. When we share our testimonies, we not only let others hear our faith but it helps us to solidify what we believe. We are counseled to share what we believe with others both members and non-members alike. You never know when your testimony will help someone else in some way or form. 

I would like to take this time to share my testimony with you:
I know that Heavenly Father loves me, and all of you. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, our Savior. I know that He died for me and that not matter what trial I am going through, He has already suffered for my pains. I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. I know he brought forth the Book of Mormon by the guidance of Heavenly Father. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the Living Prophet on the earth today and he guides us in the direction in which Heavenly Father wants us to go. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church on the earth today. I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for all that they have blessed me with in my life and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Light of Christ

The Light of Christ is the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things. The Light of Christ influences people for good and prepares them to receive the Holy Ghost. One manifestation of the Light of Christ is what we call a conscience.

https://www.lds.org/topics/light-of-christ?lang=eng

The light of Christ can be seen everywhere. We just have to look around at the beauty of what is just outside out windows to see it. The Light of Christ can be seen in people and just the environment around us. I have seen the Light of Christ in many of my friends, members of the Church world wide, in the leaders of the Church, and even in my surroundings. Doctrine and Covenants 88:7 reads, "  Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made."

Having the Light of Christ is not only an outward thing it also is something held within. I am continually working to keep the Light of Christ in my mind and in my heart. I hope that it will become so much a part of me, that others can see it. Or, at least, that is my goal.