I was off last week. Or more precisely, my computer was off. I've said many swearwords in my head to my computer, hoping that actually keeping them inside of my head would be virtue enough. I know the answer to that. I'm sure I can think of better ways to exhaust my frustration. Maybe I'll just blame it all on Satan, that he just doesn't want me to publish my feelings about the DC. Like I'm that big of a deal. Anyway, I'll do my best this week. I did read the readings last week though!
This week is the Word of Wisdom:
Doctrine and Covenants 89; Our Heritage,pages 25–26. (Yea the links worked this week!)
There are only 21 verses in this section. You can read it at whatever pace you want. I will post on a few different aspects of the Word of Wisdom.
Have a wonderful week living in moderation inspired by section 89!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Know your enemy. Mon, May 18th
This is such an awesome revelation. It begins by telling us that continuing revelation is key in knowing the mysteries of God and that we shouldn't suppose that the full truths of God are within the Bible, which is why we believe in it, "as far as it was traslated correctly." Good to know and important for the the upcoming revelation.
Then two men, after pondering, see the Lord himself! It seems that they were overwhelmed with the occurance and the feeling. So much so, that they immediately bore testimony of His existence and the reality of his power.
Then who do we learn about next? Satan. First, know your Savior and then know your enemy.
Tonight I read about Korihor to the boys. They asked a lot of questions after the reading tonight. They wanted to know why the devil would appear to Korihor in the form of an angel and how would Korihor know the difference between a satan angel and a Heavenly Father angel. We talked about the feelings of the spirit and the things such and angel would communicate. We know from the scriptures that there is a God and a Savior, which is the whole point of having scriptures. Korihor's angel told him to tell the people there was no God, or they were worshipping the wrong God. I asked the boys if that was right. They said no, of course there is a God. We talked about how important it was to read the scriptures and learn about truth so that when we are faced with choosing right from wrong, we will already know what is right and if per chance there was an angel telling them there was no God, they would know the angel is wrong.
Know your Savior and the truths He teaches via the spirit and you will have a better idea of counterfeit doctrine.
Then two men, after pondering, see the Lord himself! It seems that they were overwhelmed with the occurance and the feeling. So much so, that they immediately bore testimony of His existence and the reality of his power.
Then who do we learn about next? Satan. First, know your Savior and then know your enemy.
Tonight I read about Korihor to the boys. They asked a lot of questions after the reading tonight. They wanted to know why the devil would appear to Korihor in the form of an angel and how would Korihor know the difference between a satan angel and a Heavenly Father angel. We talked about the feelings of the spirit and the things such and angel would communicate. We know from the scriptures that there is a God and a Savior, which is the whole point of having scriptures. Korihor's angel told him to tell the people there was no God, or they were worshipping the wrong God. I asked the boys if that was right. They said no, of course there is a God. We talked about how important it was to read the scriptures and learn about truth so that when we are faced with choosing right from wrong, we will already know what is right and if per chance there was an angel telling them there was no God, they would know the angel is wrong.
Know your Savior and the truths He teaches via the spirit and you will have a better idea of counterfeit doctrine.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Readings for May 18th-21st
The kingdoms of glory. Should be a good one. Lately I've just been posting once a week instead of everyday. That's my basic goal, just so you know. Some weeks are like that. I'm having a lot of weeks like that.
Mon, May 18th: Doctrine and Covenants 76, vs 1-29
Tues, May 19th: Doctrine and Covenants 76, vs 30-80
Wed, May 20th: Doctrine and Covenants 76, vs 81-119
Thurs, May 21st: 131; 132:19–24; 137.
Mon, May 18th: Doctrine and Covenants 76, vs 1-29
Tues, May 19th: Doctrine and Covenants 76, vs 30-80
Wed, May 20th: Doctrine and Covenants 76, vs 81-119
Thurs, May 21st: 131; 132:19–24; 137.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Pre-earth life
I had a conversation with a good friend a few weeks ago about our trials and Heavenly Father knowing what we are experiencing and wondered whether we knew exactly what trials we would have in life. We had a difference of opinion about this last part. Now, my friend is older and wiser than I am and he has done quite a bit more gospel study, so I of course may be very wrong and just have not discovered the right answer yet.
The scriptures in the assignment tell us that all things were created spiritually before they were created physically, that we in fact were created spiritually and lived with Father in Heaven before we were born on the earth, and that there were those who were chosen to do certain things before we came to the earth. But it doesn't seem to me through all of scripture that what we were chosen to do was given to us in minute detail. Maybe we were so deliriously happy at the chance to come to earth that we accepted any trail? Maybe we stood in line for certain trials that we thought we could handle? It just seems contrary to the truth of moral agency and the human experience, that we would choose a certain situation or trial before coming to earth, even though the veil would have erased any knowledge about those choices.
I don't really see how having information such as this would help me through the trial anyway. I know some people do find comfort in this thought though. That the trial they are going through is something that they chose before so, they know they can handle it. But how would they have possibly known that they could have handled it while only possessing a spirit and not the actual body necessary to experience it? Does this make any sense?
To me, the fact (or non-fact) that I chose a certain trial has no importance or sway over the trial that I am going through currently. That piece of information can not take away my trial, nor can it help remove sorrow, hurt, anguish or anger over the trial. In fact, I think believing that I chose to have diabetes, for instance, would make me even more angry with myself. Maybe. I really don't see how knowing a fact like that would bear sway over where I end up after this life anyway. What matters is the kind of person I become through the trial/experience. This is what I focus on. Right now anyway. Like I said, I could be way off base and it could just be unitelligable reasoning.
What do you think?
The scriptures in the assignment tell us that all things were created spiritually before they were created physically, that we in fact were created spiritually and lived with Father in Heaven before we were born on the earth, and that there were those who were chosen to do certain things before we came to the earth. But it doesn't seem to me through all of scripture that what we were chosen to do was given to us in minute detail. Maybe we were so deliriously happy at the chance to come to earth that we accepted any trail? Maybe we stood in line for certain trials that we thought we could handle? It just seems contrary to the truth of moral agency and the human experience, that we would choose a certain situation or trial before coming to earth, even though the veil would have erased any knowledge about those choices.
I don't really see how having information such as this would help me through the trial anyway. I know some people do find comfort in this thought though. That the trial they are going through is something that they chose before so, they know they can handle it. But how would they have possibly known that they could have handled it while only possessing a spirit and not the actual body necessary to experience it? Does this make any sense?
To me, the fact (or non-fact) that I chose a certain trial has no importance or sway over the trial that I am going through currently. That piece of information can not take away my trial, nor can it help remove sorrow, hurt, anguish or anger over the trial. In fact, I think believing that I chose to have diabetes, for instance, would make me even more angry with myself. Maybe. I really don't see how knowing a fact like that would bear sway over where I end up after this life anyway. What matters is the kind of person I become through the trial/experience. This is what I focus on. Right now anyway. Like I said, I could be way off base and it could just be unitelligable reasoning.
What do you think?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Readings May 11-14
The Plan of Salvation
Mon, May 11: The Atonement is central to the plan of salvation: Moses 4:2, D&C 19:16–19, and 76:40–42.
Tues, May 12: Pre-mortal life: Job 38:4–7 , D&C 138:55–56 , Abraham 3:22–28
Wed, May 13: Mortal life: Alma 42:9, 14 , D&C 29:40–43 , Articles of Faith 1:3
Thurs, May 14: Post-mortal life: Alma 40:11–14 , Alma 42:11–13, 15 ,D&C 76:111 , D&C 88:14–16
Mon, May 11: The Atonement is central to the plan of salvation: Moses 4:2, D&C 19:16–19, and 76:40–42.
Tues, May 12: Pre-mortal life: Job 38:4–7 , D&C 138:55–56 , Abraham 3:22–28
Wed, May 13: Mortal life: Alma 42:9, 14 , D&C 29:40–43 , Articles of Faith 1:3
Thurs, May 14: Post-mortal life: Alma 40:11–14 , Alma 42:11–13, 15 ,D&C 76:111 , D&C 88:14–16
A word about the temple
It's been a crazy week, but I've done some reading and a lot of thinking and going about the temple. First of all HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you mothers out there!
The very first thing I read from the readings struck me. Verse 1 of section 95:
This section is about the temple, but before it gets to the parts about the actual temple, the Lord chastens the saints for not moving more quickly to build the temple. Yet, it really is about the temple and about the gospel and the crux of what the atonement is all about - just in this one verse. Essentially it says this: I love you, so I'm going to give you direction, but right now it's not going to feel good, but trust me, it's for your eternal happiness. But with the chastisement I give, I also give you hope for a better way of living, the possibility of change.
To me, this is a perfect way to begin direction about how important the temple is. So many times we go to the temple with worries about others, worries about ourselves, perhaps we avoid going to the temple because we are worried about ourselves. But the whole point of going to the temple is to find the hope we need while wading through the muck of worry and anxiety.
Mark and I went to the temple last night. It was just sublime. It truly felt like we were entering a different realm where we could be free in thought and feeling and commune with Heavenly Father through the Savior. We were educated, and with education comes freedom, if used correctly. One of the best part of the temple though is the feeling of value I get about myself. That just can't come often enough in a world that is so full of comparing one person to another for one reason or another. I am so thankful for a safe spiritual and physical haven.
The very first thing I read from the readings struck me. Verse 1 of section 95:
Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten
that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for
their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you—
This section is about the temple, but before it gets to the parts about the actual temple, the Lord chastens the saints for not moving more quickly to build the temple. Yet, it really is about the temple and about the gospel and the crux of what the atonement is all about - just in this one verse. Essentially it says this: I love you, so I'm going to give you direction, but right now it's not going to feel good, but trust me, it's for your eternal happiness. But with the chastisement I give, I also give you hope for a better way of living, the possibility of change.
To me, this is a perfect way to begin direction about how important the temple is. So many times we go to the temple with worries about others, worries about ourselves, perhaps we avoid going to the temple because we are worried about ourselves. But the whole point of going to the temple is to find the hope we need while wading through the muck of worry and anxiety.
Mark and I went to the temple last night. It was just sublime. It truly felt like we were entering a different realm where we could be free in thought and feeling and commune with Heavenly Father through the Savior. We were educated, and with education comes freedom, if used correctly. One of the best part of the temple though is the feeling of value I get about myself. That just can't come often enough in a world that is so full of comparing one person to another for one reason or another. I am so thankful for a safe spiritual and physical haven.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Readings May 4-8
All about the temple this week. I split up section 109, to break up the reading.
Mon, May 4: Doctrine and Covenants 95 , Our Heritage,pages 33–36.
Tues, May 5: 109: 1-42
Wed, May 6: 109 : 43-80
Thurs, May 7: 110
Mon, May 4: Doctrine and Covenants 95 , Our Heritage,pages 33–36.
Tues, May 5: 109: 1-42
Wed, May 6: 109 : 43-80
Thurs, May 7: 110
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