In both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, we're taught to, "consider the lilies of the field." I've often wondered what this meant. I know the context of the scriptures are teaching us to trust Heavenly Father, but I have never understood the example of lilies. Today I finally did some extra studying to understand what this means.
Christ was commissioned by Heavenly Father to organize all things on earth. With this vast knowledge behind Him, I think it is very possible that He looked at all things and all people on the earth with different eyes- knowing the matter they were composed of and the divinity which lead to their creation. I imagine that with His knowledge, looking at a lily, He knew exactly what it was made of and how it was to function. He knew its needs and seasons for growth and decay. He knew what was around it to help it grow and develop, and knew why it was exactly where it was.
I think this is exactly how God views us. He knows what He created us with (our potential), He understands what we need to grow and what seasons we need in our lives for "pruning back." he understands perfectly our situations in life and surrounds us with people who can influence us and who we can influence in turn. It makes sense to trust this Being who knows us so completely. Often times we want to be stubborn and say, "I can do it on my own!" but God knows best- He truly understands what will help us reach our fullest potential and how we can be who He needs us to be.
I think that is what is meant by, "consider the lilies of the field."
I am so thankful for this God who knows me so personally. I am thankful He guides and prunes me according to my true divinity and potential. I will strive harder to trust in His arm for all my needs.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Eternal Marriage: My Mormon Faith
In conjunction with my previous post, I felt to write on the topic of eternal marriage, and what that means to me as a Mormon.
One of the most beautiful truths about our doctrine is that we believe that families can be together forever; that means no "'til death do we part." Some individuals and religions proclaim that they believe the same thing too. The difference between the Mormon belief and other's belief that families are forever is that we have what we call the proper authority from God. What this means is, when Christ's gospel and priesthood (authority to act in God's name and heal and bless as He would) was taken from the earth during the dark ages, the proper priesthood authority to bind marriages and families on earth and in heaven was lost. When Joseph Smith restored the gospel of Christ to the earth, so came the proper priesthood authority to bind and seal marriages for time and all eternity.
We want all families to enjoy this blessing of being together forever. In order to qualify for this blessing, we must be keeping the commandments of God, obeying the word of wisdom, have a testimony of God and Christ, and sustain our church leaders. This allows us to get a temple recommend; which is much like a security pass to enter an "authorized personnel only" area. The recommend basically states that you have been found pure and worth to enter the Lord's house and are able to feel and contribute to the Spirit there.
When a man and a woman want to get married in our temples, they seek a special recommend from their bishop. They then enter the temple in a beautiful room that is full of light. Family and friends who also have a temple recommend can attend the wedding- or as we call it, the sealing. The couple kneels before an alter (like in Biblical times). Then a man with proper authority from God is able to perform the sealing of man and wife for time and all eternity.
It is a covenant (like baptism) that both man and women enter into personally, and it is of full effect so long as both people live worthy of their covenant. This basically means that after a man and woman are married in the temple, they still have to strive to keep the commandments and work hard in their marriage. It isn't a golden ticket to bliss and "happily ever after," but it is an incredible strength which blesses the couple with inspiration to know how to treat each other and their children (we all have times where we need help).
For Richard and I our experience was very sweet and simple. We had our family and some close friends in our temple sealing (marriage) and more who waited for us outside. I feel like our marriage has been helped and strengthened because of our determination to include God in it.
For example, when we have felt frustrated, annoyed, or hurt by each other, we have silently and individually turned to God and asked for help and He has softened our hearts. For an even clearer example, a few weeks ago, we had made plans to go out on a date while some friends watched Will for us. I was so excited about this date because we had been slightly disconnected from each other because of being so busy and stressed. As I talked to Rich on the phone I mentioned our plans, asking what time I should tell our friends to watch Will. Rich said he'd rather do it another weekend because he wasn't feeling like going through the hassle and was so exhausted. We ended the phone call frustrated and mad. I fumed alone for a good 10 minutes. My mind started to pull out a garbage list (aka began trying to rail on Rich), and I knew that wasn't the right thing to do. I stopped and started to pray. I explained my deep frustration, and as I prayed I realized that I wasn't mad at Rich, but I was so desperate to go on a date with him because I missed him and his attention so much. Right after this insight came to me, I got a text from Rich saying he was sorry and that he'd love to go on our date still. It was simple and it saved us further miscommunication and hurt feelings, all because we both prayed and both were blessed with a better solution than we had on our own.
Life is hard enough with all that attacks marriages. I am thankful for an eternal marriage. I am thankful for the strength it is to us. Rich and I entered our marriage with the end in mind. We understood there would be super high moments and super low moments, and we both committed to working through them together with our Heavenly Father's guidance. We have received strength, direction, and inspiration. We have been blessed with abundant love and the faith to do things we had no idea how they could work. God has directed our steps and helped us as we turn our hearts to Him.
Sadly, I have never been good at explaining how wonderful and sacred eternal marriage is. I am sure I have offended some as I have talked about eternal marriage and unintentionally made others feel that their marriage is lesser or something to that effect because it is not eternal. My heart aches at my great imperfections and inability to have the right words to use. While we as Mormons do believe all must have proper authority from God to enjoy an eternal family/marriage, we highly regard and cherish the sanctity of marriage. It is a binding of man and woman which brings great strength to individuals and society at large. I have seen incredible marriages of people who are not Mormon; and have learned great lessons from what they do so well to make their marriage and family relationships close.
Eternal marriage makes sense to me. It aligns with how God works (through proper authority, laws and principles, and perpetuating the family unit). My heart rejoices that there are so many temples around the world which give a tremendous amount of people the opportunity to be married there. Our joy, growth, and lives are magnified and blessed.
I know temple marriage to be of God. It is light and truth.
One of the most beautiful truths about our doctrine is that we believe that families can be together forever; that means no "'til death do we part." Some individuals and religions proclaim that they believe the same thing too. The difference between the Mormon belief and other's belief that families are forever is that we have what we call the proper authority from God. What this means is, when Christ's gospel and priesthood (authority to act in God's name and heal and bless as He would) was taken from the earth during the dark ages, the proper priesthood authority to bind marriages and families on earth and in heaven was lost. When Joseph Smith restored the gospel of Christ to the earth, so came the proper priesthood authority to bind and seal marriages for time and all eternity.
We want all families to enjoy this blessing of being together forever. In order to qualify for this blessing, we must be keeping the commandments of God, obeying the word of wisdom, have a testimony of God and Christ, and sustain our church leaders. This allows us to get a temple recommend; which is much like a security pass to enter an "authorized personnel only" area. The recommend basically states that you have been found pure and worth to enter the Lord's house and are able to feel and contribute to the Spirit there.
When a man and a woman want to get married in our temples, they seek a special recommend from their bishop. They then enter the temple in a beautiful room that is full of light. Family and friends who also have a temple recommend can attend the wedding- or as we call it, the sealing. The couple kneels before an alter (like in Biblical times). Then a man with proper authority from God is able to perform the sealing of man and wife for time and all eternity.
It is a covenant (like baptism) that both man and women enter into personally, and it is of full effect so long as both people live worthy of their covenant. This basically means that after a man and woman are married in the temple, they still have to strive to keep the commandments and work hard in their marriage. It isn't a golden ticket to bliss and "happily ever after," but it is an incredible strength which blesses the couple with inspiration to know how to treat each other and their children (we all have times where we need help).
For Richard and I our experience was very sweet and simple. We had our family and some close friends in our temple sealing (marriage) and more who waited for us outside. I feel like our marriage has been helped and strengthened because of our determination to include God in it.
For example, when we have felt frustrated, annoyed, or hurt by each other, we have silently and individually turned to God and asked for help and He has softened our hearts. For an even clearer example, a few weeks ago, we had made plans to go out on a date while some friends watched Will for us. I was so excited about this date because we had been slightly disconnected from each other because of being so busy and stressed. As I talked to Rich on the phone I mentioned our plans, asking what time I should tell our friends to watch Will. Rich said he'd rather do it another weekend because he wasn't feeling like going through the hassle and was so exhausted. We ended the phone call frustrated and mad. I fumed alone for a good 10 minutes. My mind started to pull out a garbage list (aka began trying to rail on Rich), and I knew that wasn't the right thing to do. I stopped and started to pray. I explained my deep frustration, and as I prayed I realized that I wasn't mad at Rich, but I was so desperate to go on a date with him because I missed him and his attention so much. Right after this insight came to me, I got a text from Rich saying he was sorry and that he'd love to go on our date still. It was simple and it saved us further miscommunication and hurt feelings, all because we both prayed and both were blessed with a better solution than we had on our own.
Life is hard enough with all that attacks marriages. I am thankful for an eternal marriage. I am thankful for the strength it is to us. Rich and I entered our marriage with the end in mind. We understood there would be super high moments and super low moments, and we both committed to working through them together with our Heavenly Father's guidance. We have received strength, direction, and inspiration. We have been blessed with abundant love and the faith to do things we had no idea how they could work. God has directed our steps and helped us as we turn our hearts to Him.
Sadly, I have never been good at explaining how wonderful and sacred eternal marriage is. I am sure I have offended some as I have talked about eternal marriage and unintentionally made others feel that their marriage is lesser or something to that effect because it is not eternal. My heart aches at my great imperfections and inability to have the right words to use. While we as Mormons do believe all must have proper authority from God to enjoy an eternal family/marriage, we highly regard and cherish the sanctity of marriage. It is a binding of man and woman which brings great strength to individuals and society at large. I have seen incredible marriages of people who are not Mormon; and have learned great lessons from what they do so well to make their marriage and family relationships close.
Eternal marriage makes sense to me. It aligns with how God works (through proper authority, laws and principles, and perpetuating the family unit). My heart rejoices that there are so many temples around the world which give a tremendous amount of people the opportunity to be married there. Our joy, growth, and lives are magnified and blessed.
I know temple marriage to be of God. It is light and truth.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
A Golden Moment
I am not quite sure what it has been, but this year I have been particularly impressed to pray more frequently for the ability to feel and recognize the Spirit. I realized as I was reading my scriptures that when Christ was preparing to leave His apostles, he was teaching them about the Second Comforter (the Holy Ghost) and how it would be sent to them to lead and guide them. Then when He visited the America's after His resurrection, one of His deepest desires was for the people to have the Holy Ghost to lead them in all truth.
I have felt within myself a greater desire to know Christ and to be Christ's. I guess this is what has motivated me to seek out the Spirit more often; because it is what He really wants for me.
I have come to notice a difference in my ability to receive and act on Spiritual promptings. I have come to more clearly recognize when God is asking me to do something, and I am trying to become better at quickly responding. I have been lead to share more openly personal conversion moments, and have been able to effectively help others with their needs.
I tell my family that I probably pray too much about the fine details in life; but I really feel like God has the better way of executing things than I do, and I can use all the help He will give me!
We are new to a ward (aka congregation) of primarily young-middle age families. We have felt a little lost because rather than having a small, very diverse ward, we have a very large, non-diverse ward; it is totally opposite of what we are used to! I (like I've said before) admit that I need to feel a sense of belonging through friends and having a way to serve. As I have prayed for help in this area (as small as it is), I have been blessed with the needed patience and simple acts of friendship that have acted as golden stars for my rainy days.
Recently I was called to served on the Relief Society Activities Committee. For our November activity, we put together Thanksgiving dinners for members in our ward who are struggling financially. Another portion of the night was spent getting to know each other better. I was in charge of the get to know you activity, and I spent a lot of time oozing over the Internet trying to find the perfect activity for our ward. I came across a lady's blog, and she mentioned how she and the other committee members of her ward prayed weekly to know the needs of their sisters, and if what they were doing was on target.
After reading her blog, I stopped what I was doing and said a simple prayer expressing my desire to find the right activity that would bring us sisters together, and would be just what we needed. I then kept looking for ideas and moved on with my day.
A few days later, as I was doing my gospel study I started to think about the activity and what we should do. In a clear, peaceful moment, the ideas came to me, and I combined a few researched activities into what I dubbed "Date That Sister".
This past Thursday we had our activity. I set everything up and was totally nervous about the game and how it would go over! (I shouldn't have worn a gray shirt... My nerves were very well displayed!) Each of the sisters had a jar full of questions in front of them. They had two minutes to introduce themselves in a clever way (like, my name is Messy Jessi, when I was really little I was super messy!) Then they started drawing questions from the jar and went back and forth asking each other the different questions until it was time for one side of the table to slide down and meet their new "date".
I was shocked by how well it went. The room was a loud buzz! I ended up having to used a trash can and a stick to get everyone's attention for when the time was up. (We women can't use our 6" voices when we're excited ;)). It filled my heart with gratitude seeing how much fun the ladies were having. A lot of women commented on how much they liked it, and one requested we just do that for a whole activity.
I know it is simple, but I felt the confirmation that I had listened to God's inspiration for what our sisters needed that night. I felt like He gave me a little golden moment to tuck away in my pocket as a memory of the good that happens when I listen to Him.
I am nothing extraordinary or special. I am far from perfect and "saintly", but I am realizing the huge difference in my happiness when I seek out the inspiration of God through the Holy Ghost. I know we matter enough to God for Him to direct our paths. I know He cares enough to answer a simple, heart felt prayer for direction and unity. The Lord really is merciful to the penitent seeker of truth.
I am thankful for my pocket full of golden moments.
I have felt within myself a greater desire to know Christ and to be Christ's. I guess this is what has motivated me to seek out the Spirit more often; because it is what He really wants for me.
I have come to notice a difference in my ability to receive and act on Spiritual promptings. I have come to more clearly recognize when God is asking me to do something, and I am trying to become better at quickly responding. I have been lead to share more openly personal conversion moments, and have been able to effectively help others with their needs.
I tell my family that I probably pray too much about the fine details in life; but I really feel like God has the better way of executing things than I do, and I can use all the help He will give me!
We are new to a ward (aka congregation) of primarily young-middle age families. We have felt a little lost because rather than having a small, very diverse ward, we have a very large, non-diverse ward; it is totally opposite of what we are used to! I (like I've said before) admit that I need to feel a sense of belonging through friends and having a way to serve. As I have prayed for help in this area (as small as it is), I have been blessed with the needed patience and simple acts of friendship that have acted as golden stars for my rainy days.
Recently I was called to served on the Relief Society Activities Committee. For our November activity, we put together Thanksgiving dinners for members in our ward who are struggling financially. Another portion of the night was spent getting to know each other better. I was in charge of the get to know you activity, and I spent a lot of time oozing over the Internet trying to find the perfect activity for our ward. I came across a lady's blog, and she mentioned how she and the other committee members of her ward prayed weekly to know the needs of their sisters, and if what they were doing was on target.
After reading her blog, I stopped what I was doing and said a simple prayer expressing my desire to find the right activity that would bring us sisters together, and would be just what we needed. I then kept looking for ideas and moved on with my day.
A few days later, as I was doing my gospel study I started to think about the activity and what we should do. In a clear, peaceful moment, the ideas came to me, and I combined a few researched activities into what I dubbed "Date That Sister".
This past Thursday we had our activity. I set everything up and was totally nervous about the game and how it would go over! (I shouldn't have worn a gray shirt... My nerves were very well displayed!) Each of the sisters had a jar full of questions in front of them. They had two minutes to introduce themselves in a clever way (like, my name is Messy Jessi, when I was really little I was super messy!) Then they started drawing questions from the jar and went back and forth asking each other the different questions until it was time for one side of the table to slide down and meet their new "date".
I was shocked by how well it went. The room was a loud buzz! I ended up having to used a trash can and a stick to get everyone's attention for when the time was up. (We women can't use our 6" voices when we're excited ;)). It filled my heart with gratitude seeing how much fun the ladies were having. A lot of women commented on how much they liked it, and one requested we just do that for a whole activity.
I know it is simple, but I felt the confirmation that I had listened to God's inspiration for what our sisters needed that night. I felt like He gave me a little golden moment to tuck away in my pocket as a memory of the good that happens when I listen to Him.
I am nothing extraordinary or special. I am far from perfect and "saintly", but I am realizing the huge difference in my happiness when I seek out the inspiration of God through the Holy Ghost. I know we matter enough to God for Him to direct our paths. I know He cares enough to answer a simple, heart felt prayer for direction and unity. The Lord really is merciful to the penitent seeker of truth.
I am thankful for my pocket full of golden moments.
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