PP Faith Ex4

MY Personal Progress
Faith
Experience 4: The Sacrament


I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience the Sacramental Covenant each week. I look forward to it. I believe that as I, with forethought, partake of the symbols of His body and blood, that I am remembering how much Father and the Savior love me; and acknowledging the price that was paid to make me His.

My baptismal covenants which I renew are:
1. To come into the fold of God by becoming an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ.
2. To take upon me the name of Christ and be called His daughter...to remember Him always.
3. To bear others' burdens, that they may be light; mourn with those that mourn; and comfort those in need of comfort...to do as the Savior would do if He were in my place...to be His hands, His heart.
4. To stand as a witness of God at all time and in all things and in all places; to testify of Christ and set an example of the believers.
5. To serve God and keep His commandment; be quick to hear and obey with exactness.

If I am willing and striving to keep my covenant, the Lord covenants to:
1. Forgive my sins.
2. Pour His Spirit more abundantly upon me.
3. Redeem me that I might be numbered with those of the first resurrection and have eternal life with Heavenly Father and my Savior and family.

My typical Sacrament experience is to try to be aware and remember before going to Sacrament Meeting. I sing and try to feel deeply the Sacrament Hymn. I repeat in my mind (first person~see below) the prayers of the Sacrament, after the priesthood. I think about who these young men represent as I am presented the trays. I try to remember what the bread and water represent as I receive each and take them into my body, as if I'm taking a portion of Christ within me. I remember Christ. Then I think, remember and assess: where can I become more like Christ? What one thing could I do~repent of~realign this week so that I am more as the Savior would have me be? I listen for the Spirit to teach me. And I feel the Love of the Lord. Most Sunday's I leave that chapel as clean as the day of my baptism; it is truly a miracle! And I need it again a week later :) I am VERY grateful!!

First Person Sacrament Prayers:
O God, the Eternal Father, I ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to my soul as I partake of it; that I may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that I am willing to take upon me the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given me, that I may always have his Spirit to be with me. Amen.

O God, the Eternal Father, I ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this water to my soul as I drink of it, that I do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for me; that I may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that I do always remember him, that I may have his Spirit to be with me. Amen.

Great message given by Elder Holland:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/this-do-in-remembrance-of-me?lang=eng

PP Faith Ex2

MY Personal Progress
Faith
Experience 2

WHAT QUALITIES does a woman need in order to teach children to
*have faith in Jesus Christ?
*base decisions on Gospel Truths?

As a woman has these qualities within herself (faith and works, as above) and 'demonstrates' them, she 'teaches' them to others.

Alma 56:45-48: These young men testified of and exemplified the knowledge and behavior of their mothers ~ that they (Mothers) knew and did not doubt = Faith

Alma 57:21: ~ that they (Mothers) did obey and observed to perform every word of command they were given with exactness = based decisions on gospel truths

Alma 57:21: ~ and they shared with/trained their children to do it with them = they taught them.

The pattern here seems to be that they followed Christ's example of loving and leading, and in the process training up themselves and those WITH whom they labored. We will be blessed, and those following after (with) us, by involving AS WE LABOR all those around us to labor WITH us, sharing our thoughts and feelings and impressions as we go, and in the process all are strengthened together. This takes courage, and patience, and determination; and I testify that it is SO worth it!

What does The Proclamation say about a mother's role:
*It is an equal partnership with her husband with eternal potential
*ordained of God
*we have been commanded to multiply and replenish the earth
*solem responsibility to love and care for each other and our children
*a sacred duty to
     ~rear children in love and righteousness
     ~provide for their physical and spiritual needs
     ~ teach them to
          ^love and serve one another
          ^observe the commandments of God
          ^be law-abiding citizens
*will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations
*honor marital vows with complete fidelity
*found family life upon the teachings of Christ
*establish and maintain family on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities
*primary responsibility for the nurture of the children
*promote measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

I testify that these things are true!

Am I Comfortable and Content???

"To the duty designated by His Father, [the Savior] turned His face, pledged His heart, and gave His life. And what a sinless, selfless, noble, and divine life it was. Jesus labored. Jesus loved. Jesus served. Jesus testified. What finer example could we strive to emulate? Let us begin now, this very night, to do so. Cast off forever will be the old self and with it defeat, despair, doubt, and disbelief. To a newness of life we come—a life of faith, hope, courage, and joy. No task looms too large; no responsibility weighs too heavily; no duty is a burden. All things become possible."

—Thomas S. Monson, "Examples of Righteousness", Liahona and Ensign, May 2008

Amen, AMEN, and amen!

As I was in the Temple the other day, I was struck by the very first covenant made and who Adam and Eve each covenanted to. We, as women, have a specific covenential relationship with the Savior…another way that we ‘are His.’ Elder James E Talmage testified, ‘The world’s greatest champion of women and womanhood is Jesus the Christ (DIMK, pg 3).” I know this is so. We are His special stewardship, as the Priesthood is to the Father. We are nurturers and creators of life, just as He is. Powerful.

In the foreword to DIMK, The First Presidency states, “We…recognize that you are beloved daughters of Heavenly Father and dedicated (covenanted, pledged, etc) disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This seems to be another evidence of this connection with the Savior.

So, where do my ‘loyalties’ lie? Am I ready to forsake ‘my will’ and be a covenant woman? I was just reading this devotional talk given at BYUH (11/23/2010) by Clark Gilbert entitled, ‘On the Frontier.’ He says:

“As I think of overcoming these twin constraints of pride and fear, I think of the parable of the rich young ruler and his invitation to follow the Savior to a place that was new and unfamiliar to him.  In Matthew 19 we read: “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”  When reminded of the commandments, the young ruler replies, “All these things I have kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.  But when the young man heard that saying he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” A wise friend once helped me understand this scripture though the artwork of Carl Heinrich Bloch. In the painting, Christ is showing the rich young ruler a better way.  But instead of looking to where the Lord might take him, the young man appears to be contemplating all that he might give up. What he failed to see was the light on the horizon the Savior was pointing him to.  Like the rich young ruler, when all we consider are our own possessions, identity, and circumstance, we are blind to the blessings that come only at the frontier. As we let go of our pride and fear, we can look to Christ to see a better way.”

This pulls at my heart! I have great possessions – temporal and spiritual. How often am I ‘contemplating (consciously or un) all that He might ask me to give up?’ Or should I say, all I know He’s invited me to let go of already. And I go on ‘sorrowful.’ Oh, I pray I can release my pride and fear and receive from Christ this better way!

Brother Gilbert:

“At the conclusion of a discussion about changes happening at the university (BYUI), [President Clark] made the following statement: “If you want to know the Savior, go to the frontier because that is where you will see him in action.  It is at the frontier where he does His work.”  Suddenly, all of the personal changes and sacrifices seemed less of a burden because I realized the opportunity I had been given.  The Savior was inviting me to be part of His work, but I would have to go places I had never been.  I would have to go to the frontier.

“We all will face frontiers, both personal and institutional.  Part of what will impact our ability to grow in life will be our willingness to leave the familiar and to journey to the frontier.  When those frontiers are the Savior’s, we will also be granted the opportunity to get to know Him, both because we are doing His work, but also because something changes in us when we let go of ourselves and follow Him.”

He continues, “What Laman and Lemuel could not see was that when we go to the Lord’s frontiers we are not relying on our own understanding.  If we go to the Lord’s frontiers, He will take us to places we could never even imagine, if we recognize our entire dependence on Him.  Nephi didn’t know how to build a ship.  He didn’t even know how to build tools to construct a ship.  But he immediately asked the Lord where he could go to find ore to molten that he might make tools to construct a ship, and here is the key, ‘after the manner which thou has shown me.’ Nephi wasn’t going to a frontier of his choosing.  He certainly wasn’t going to a frontier on his own. ‘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; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.’ After Nephi and his family built the ship and sailed to the promised land, they knew it was by the hand of the Lord that they had been led.”

“Each of us will face our own personal frontiers.  In these moments, we will have to decide whether we are willing to go where the Lord will lead us or whether we will stay where we are comfortable and content.”

GO, WENDY, GO!!!!!!

Exodus: Sustained by Covenants

DIMK

“Cleave unto the Covenants”

Exodus: Sustained by Covenants

The first Relief Society sisters were, like the ancient people of Ammon, “distinguished for their zeal towards God” and were “firm in the faith of Christ.” They had been taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and they had been blessed through their formal organization under the authority of the priesthood. Now they needed the blessings of the temple. More than 5,000 Saints thronged the Nauvoo Temple after its dedication so they could receive the endowment and the sealing ordinance before embarking on their journey into an unknown future. They came to the temple all day and long into the night. President Brigham Young wrote that they were so anxious to receive their ordinances that “I have given myself up entirely to the work of the Lord in the Temple night and day, not taking more than four hours sleep, upon an average, per day, and going home but once a week.”

The strength, power, and blessings of temple covenants would sustain the Latter-day Saints during their journey, when they would suffer cold, heat, hunger, poverty, sickness, accidents, and death. They were strengthened and empowered— spiritually prepared to leave Nauvoo on their arduous journey into the wilderness. Sister Sarah Rich (a sister called to be a temple worker by BYoung) implied that the exodus was not a “leap in the dark” for faithful Latter-day Saint women. They were sustained by their covenants. Like the children of Israel anciently, they followed a prophet into the wilderness in the hope of deliverance. In preparation for the exodus, President Brigham Young made the following declaration to the Saints: “This shall be our covenant—that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord.” Latter-day Saints walked into the wilderness bound by covenant to God, their families, and their fellow sojourners.

All this can be said of today: the strength, power, and blessings of temple covenants will sustain us during our journey, when we will suffer hardships and challenges. We are strengthened and empowered – spiritually prepared to go forward on our arduous journey in the ‘wilderness’ of this earth life. We are sustained by our covenants. We follow a prophet today in the hope of deliverance. This shall be OUR covenant – that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord and be found within the walls of His holy Temple as often as possible. 

“That We May All Sit Down in Heaven Together”

DIMK

“That We May All Sit Down in Heaven Together”

Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the foundational work of the Relief Society: “Relief of poverty, relief of illness; relief of doubt, relief of ignorance—relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of woman. What a magnificent commission!”

Latter-day Saint women, strong in faith and testimony, have truly been given the “errand of angels.” Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “Every sister in this Church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the kingdom of God.”

This work continues today. Guided by the principles Joseph Smith taught, Relief Society sisters work together to prepare women and their families for God’s greatest blessings. They joyfully follow the counsel of Joseph Smith’s mother, Lucy Mack Smith: “We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together.”

I am very grateful to be part of this ‘magnificent commission!” I feel deeply the desire and responsibility to build a home – a temple – my kingdom – to the Lord, where His Spirit may dwell, to lift, protect, and strengthen our family. Also, within our home and with Steven & our family I will develop those characteristics that will prepare me to receive all the blessings Father has prepared for me. I am ever so grateful!

Provide Relief by Seeking Out and Helping Those in Need

In Nauvoo, Illinois, Emma and Joseph Smith led efforts to help the hungry, homeless, and sick. 

Provide Relief by Seeking Out and Helping Those in Need

With the Relief Society organized under priesthood authority, the effort to help those building the Nauvoo Temple was even greater. From the hearts of these sisters flowed a great desire to engage in good works. They did so with wool and wagons, soap and sewing, food and finery, time and talents. Through their new society, the women of the Church acted according to their natural sympathies to build up the Lord’s Church.

Joseph said: “Don’t be limited in your views with regard to your neighbors’ virtues. . . . You must enlarge your souls toward others if you’d do like Jesus. . . . As you increase in innocence and virtue, as you increase in goodness, let your hearts expand—let them be enlarged towards others—you must be longsuffering and bear with the faults and errors of mankind. How precious are the souls of men!”

In another Relief Society meeting, he taught: “Nothing is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand and watch over them with tenderness. When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, O what power it has over my mind, while the opposite course has a tendency to harrow up all the harsh feelings and depress the human mind.”

This is a gift I seek after and desire to refine: to be able to know how to, and then actually serve those around me, especially our family, and those who I’ve been given stewardship over. I feel impressions regarding acts of kindness or service, but then almost talk myself out of them, or react so slowly on them that I get distracted and/or forget them. I’m going to make a more concentrated effort to follow the promptings of the Spirit and to seek after opportunities to serve and lift.

Preparing to Enter the Temple

Strengthen Families and Homes, cont.

Preparing to Enter the Temple (Initially and every time)

Believe in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

Cultivate a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel.

Sustain and follow the living prophet.

Qualify for a temple recommend by being morally clean, keeping the Word of Wisdom, paying a full tithing, and living in harmony with the teachings of the Church.

Give time, talents, and means to help build the Lord’s kingdom.

Participate in family history work.

Be teachable and reverent.

Dress modestly and be well groomed.

I know that by me being in the Temple as often as possible, I am allowing Father to strengthen me, and my family and home. It is one of the single most powerful things I can do to bring this to pass. Oh, may I be found there more regularly!