Walk in Light

"And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that harkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father."

D&C 84:46-47

 

I read a talk this morning from a CES Fireside by Elder Marlin K. Jensen from 2012 entitled "Stand in the Sacred Grove." In this talk Elder Jensen talks about sacred places and what we can learn from them but specifically what we can learn from the Sacred Grove and even more specifically what we learn from the trees in the Sacred Grove. He starts by talking about trees need light in order to survive. As a result of that they grow towards to light, almost competing with each other to get the most light to produce photosynthesis or energy. Natural light from the Sun is essential to these trees. Just like trees need natural light each of us needs spiritual light in order to survive in an increasingly darkening world. Spiritual light comes through the basics, reading scriptures, saying prayers, and attending church meetings. The more light we receive the more we strive closer to the source of that light, the Savior Jesus Christ. Just like trees that push towards the Sun to receive energy and light, we will push away from the darkness of the world to receive spiritual light.

 

As I read this talk I thought about the times I have sought for more spiritual light. I loved the time that I had and continue to have to study and find answers to questions that I was asking. I found myself being more happy and I felt better about myself. I know that Heavenly Father strives to give us more spiritual light. He wants us to feel his love and the light of his gospel! Spiritual light is so important in this ever changing world. The Savior and our Heavenly Father will remain constant! We can see for that as we strive to receive more light and understanding!

 

"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

Have Joy

 

"Adam fell that men might be; and man are, that they might have joy."

 

2 Nephi 2:25

I love this scripture!! I often read it on a day that is a little cloudy and it is hard to have joy! Thinking back to the Plan of Salvation where Adam and Eve fell out of the garden of Eden. While living there they lived in a state of innocence where they knew no pain or sorrow, or joy! When ever I read about the state they were in I was so grateful for the Fall because only after the fall could we truly have joy!!

 Joy is a choice! Heavenly Father has given us agency to choose good from evil, but it all starts with our thoughts! When we choose to be happy and have joy it spreads like wild fire! And we have so much to be happy about! We are living, walking, breathing humans. We have so many opportunities daily to learn and to live! We have the ability to choose! We are surrounded by a beautiful Earth! There are beautiful flowers, fresh cut grass, and great food to smell!! The list goes on and on!

I think most important, we have a Father in Heaven the loves us and a Savior who atoned for our sins so that we can have joy and live free from guilt and shame that comes from wrong doing! He is the master engineer of our lives preparing numerous ways and opportunities for us to grow and to have joy! Hard times will still come, things may not always turn out the way we would like, but we can have joy to know that the Savior has over come all! His love is for everyone! It is infinite! It covers all! I know that is true! Joy is a choice, and may I venture even a commandment! Heavenly Father wants nothing more than for us to have and find joy in every part of our lives! He have provided a way for that to be so! That is our purpose for being here on Earth! In every situation there is joy to be found! We can find it through the Savior Jesus Christ! I have seen it in my life and I know it is true!!!

"There things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome to world!"

John 16:22

All Things Denote

"And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he behold that his luster was above that of the sun of noon-day. And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars of the firmament."

 1 Nephi 1:9-10 

This scripture from 1 Nephi contains so many truths! I was reading chapter 1 this morning and really tried to study it to get the most out of it! I had never before really noticed this scripture! I have come to see that in each chapter in the Book of Mormon is met to bring us closer to the Savior! I connected this verse to Alma 30:44:

"But Alma said unto him:...the scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even that earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and in its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in the regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." 

The scriptures testify that there is a God! If that is not enough then the world all around tell that there is a Supreme Creator! I love reading the scriptures and having the Holy Ghost confirm with the truth of it to me! Later on in the chapter, Lehi receives a book. As he reads to book he is "filled with the spirit." That is exactly what happens when scripture study occurs! I know that the Book of Mormon and the Bible are the word of God and together are powerful! I know that reading the scriptures fill us with the spirit, as well as brings us closer to the Savior as we read his words! I would challenge all to spend more time reading the scriptures! Make them a priority and I know that you will come to know of the divinity and love of our Heavenly Father for you as an individual!! He will fill you!!! I know that is true!! 

Drops...

This morning for my personal study I was reading a blogpost by Kathryn Thompson called "Drops of Awesome." The whole idea of the post was how we can use each moment in our lives to lift us higher and to bring us closer to the Savior. She used an analogy of drops in a bucket. Each drop of good was called a Drop of Awesom! Each time something good is done it adds a drop of awesome into the bucket, but, the part I really liked, is how she pointed out that when we make mistakes it doesn't take any drops out of our bucket.

"You don't loose drops for every misstep. You can only build. You can only build." 

Lucifer on the other hand would make us feel that each mistep we take brings us back down! He makes us feel that because we weren't "perfect" that there is no way to make it back to where we were before. To finisth the analogy she brought out a picture of water, labled "the atonement", it fills the rest of the bucket. The Savior makes up the rest! I just want to testify that I know that is true!  As we do our part to do our best and fill our buckets with good, he will do the rest! He has done that for me and know he can do it for you! I know He lives and loves us! He wants the best for us and has paid the price for us, if we will draw near to him! 

Fruit of the Spirit

"For the fruits of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth."

Ephesians 5:9

 

We are all faced with many decisions in this life. Simple decisions that affect only a little to large decisions that can determine eternity. Decisions were part of Heavenly Fathers plan for us during our Earthy existence. He gave us our agency or the ability to choose. He knew that challenges would come and we would be tempted to do wrong so he provided a Holy Ghost to help direct us. We each have the ability to feel the Holy Ghost but it is only after being baptized by the proper authority can we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. With the gift of the Holy Ghost we can have him as our constant companion to guide us and direct us as we make those essential decisions. The Holy Ghost is member of the God head, thus he knows what we need to do in order to return to live with our Heavenly Father. Our greatest desire in this life should be to live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. During the times of decision making we can remember the fruits of the spirit. I love Ephesians 5:9 and Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."

 

If it invites us to feel those good feelings you can be sure that it is of the spirit. Although, keep in mind that Satan mimics these same feelings. That's when you can fall back on the rule in Moroni 7:13, 

"That which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually...everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."

 

 

You can know that the Holy Ghost will not lead you astray. He brings happiness and guidance that is divine and eternal. He is an important part of our eternal progression, specifically in our decisions! We always should strive to live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost at all times!

 

"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he way know good from eveil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge;for everything which inviteth to do good and persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the pwoer and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know which a perfect knowledge it is of God."

Moroni 7:16