Agency
Our free agency is a gift from Heavenly Father. To
make righteous choices brings us closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. Our agency
is an integral part of becoming more Christ-like. Our purpose on earth requires
us to learn and grow through our agency. We can find joy and peace when we make
good choices. Our faith is strengthened because we have choices. Sometimes we
sin, because no one is perfect. Thankfully we have a loving Father in Heaven
who sent His son and allowed Him to die and atone for us. I am so grateful for
agency. I am grateful to have the gospel and inspiration from the Holy Ghost to
guide me in making righteous choices.
Atonement
The Atonement is something I could study and pray
about throughout my entire life and still not fully understand. I know that the
Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the greatest gift to mankind. When I
think of this incredible act and all that it does, I am filled with
overwhelming gratitude and a peaceful feeling that Jesus Christ and Heavenly
Father love me more than I can even fathom. Reading the scriptures, listening
to our prophets and apostles, and praying to receive a deeper understanding of
the Atonement are all a very important part of my testimony, which though
strong and bright, is still growing. Putting the gift of the Atonement to work
in my life, through repentance and faith, will bring joy and salvation.
Family
My testimony has been strengthened and nourished by
my family. I have been so blessed to have loving parents who follow the Savior.
Now I am blessed with a wonderful husband who serves the Lord and honors his
priesthood. What a blessing it is to be able to teach my children about the
gospel. It is a privilege and a huge responsibility to raise our children
righteously. As President Boyd K Packer said, the greatest eternal work we ever
do will be within the walls of our home. Our greatest success is what happens
with our family. We must lovingly teach and strengthen each other in Christ.
Pornography
This is such a devastating tool of the devil. So
many lives have been hurt through this evilness. There is not a session of
General Conference that does not address this problem. Many who are ensnared by
this dark addiction feel lost and hopeless. I think it is impossible to break
free without the help of our Savior. The devil wants people to feel despair and
hopeless in their sins, but our Lord Jesus Christ can help overcome even the
worst destructive addiction. Agency is a gift, and exercising it righteously is
a challenge. We have the amazing gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to help
us repent and to redeem us.
Perhaps one of the worst effects of pornography is
that those images do not easily leave the mind. The brain remembers. But having
faith in the Savior and repenting will bring peace again. The power of the
atonement also brings peace to those who are innocent but still hurt by the evils
of pornography. Wives and children who suffer agony through a loved one’s
addiction can receive peace and strength.
Prayer
Heavenly Father loves us so much that He has given
us the ability to talk to Him. We can be humble and receive great inspiration
through prayer. Prayer is a great gift. It is a gift we should use frequently.
The evil one would like us to feel unworthy of prayer, but that is not ever
true. Heavenly Father will always listen to us. He loves us, even when we are
not perfect. It is through prayer that we can be closer to Him and to His son,
Jesus Christ. We will be strengthened and lifted up. We will receive guidance
and our prayers will be answered if we pray in faith. Of course, we do not have
an eternal perspective. That is another reason we need to pray. Heavenly Father
knows us and knows what is best for our eternal progression. We need to develop
faith to accept His will as we pray.
Trial and Tribulation
Sometime life is just so hard. Sometimes I am
overcome with sadness and exhaustion. Sometimes things happen that bring
anguish and sorrow so heavy and horrid. I am thankful that no matter what
happens, I never need be alone. Heavenly Father is mindful of me. My Savior
Jesus Christ knows me and loves me too. He understands all of my anguish. I can
pray and receive peace. Desiring to have faith and understanding and courage
and praying for it will help.
It also helps, when dealing with trials and
tribulations, to remember that “thine afflictions shall be but a small moment”
D&C 121:7 and “all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be
for thy good.” Ether 6:4
Education
Education is a necessary part of this life. There is
never a time when we should say, “It is enough. I know enough and now I can
relax.” Our prophets have counseled us to continue learning and to get as much
education as possible. Whatever means we have, there are always ways we can
better ourselves and increase our knowledge. Our knowledge is a treasure we can
bring with us to Heaven. Money means nothing in the eternal scheme. I feel
blessed to be part of a program brought about to bless the members of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know it is an inspired program.
It is exciting knowing that I can still achieve my educational goal. Jesus
wants us to learn and become more capable of tending His sheep.
Kindness, Peace Making, Compassion, Charity
Everyone has known unkind people. It is demoralizing
and depressing to be the victim of mean people. We must decide who we want to
be. We should choose to be kind and care for others. We should look for opportunities
to serve and make tense situations peaceful. We need to develop compassion and
make charity a part of our lives. All of these attributes are things we can
choose to develop. When I find myself disliking people and finding fault in
them, or even just being uncomfortable around them, I need to remind myself to
work on these wonderful qualities. I want to be remembered as one who is kind,
who is a peace maker, and who shows compassion and charity to all around her.
Obedience
Our loving Heavenly Father has an eternal
perspective. We do not even know what our mortal life will hold, or what we
will need, let alone understanding what we need to become to progress through
eternity. Thankful our Father in Heaven has given us direction. We have scripture
and living prophets to lead us. We have the blessing of the Holy Ghost to inspire
and guide us. It is up to us to use our agency to be obedient to the
commandments of God. Obedience will bring us more freedom and safety and
happiness. I am so thankful for the gospel and for the guidance provided by my
Father in Heaven.
Receiving Inspiration Precept Upon Precept
I have always loved the concept of receiving
inspiration one bit at a time. Precept upon precept we can be taught and our testimonies
strengthened. Testimonies are a gift, and they can be taken away if we choose
not to live righteously. Inspiration is an exciting wonderful blessing. I have
felt the joy in recognizing inspiration. Like a light being turned on in my
head, I feel happiness and clarity when I recognize it for what it is. It is
interesting that inspiration is easy to miss. I have to be aware and ready to
catch it. Then I have to write it down in my journal. If I don’t’ write it
down, it is taken away from me. Writing down my thoughts and feelings when I
receive inspiration is a sign to the Lord that I treasure it. If I treasure that
inspiration and desire more, I know that the Lord will continue to teach me
through inspiration, precept upon precept, one step at a time.
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