covenant conduits

Normally, I would be drawn to the service section of the come follow me lesson. For some reason, I'm being lead to covenants instead. I've been hearing covenants from general conference and stake conference this last week. I guess we're talking about covenants. My question is, "Why?".  

Why are covenants important? There's the primary answers but that isn’t satifying my soul. I guess we're deep diving into covenants. I hope I can find what the Lord wants me to know and share this Sunday. 

This seems to be one of the things.

Forward spiritual momentum also propels us to make additional covenants with God in the house of the Lord. Multiple covenants draw us closer to Christ and connect us more strongly to Him. Through these covenants, we have greater access to His power. To be clear, baptismal and temple covenants are not, in and of themselves, the source of power. The source of power is the Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Making and keeping covenants create a conduit for Their power in our lives. As we live according to these covenants, we eventually become inheritors to all that Heavenly Father has. The momentum produced by living the doctrine of Christ not only powers the transformation of our divine nature into our eternal destiny but also motivates us to help others in appropriate ways.

The Powerful, Virtuous Cycle of the Doctrine of Christ

Dale G. Renlund

April 2024

eternal joy

Mosiah 2:38–41 Happiness comes from keeping the commandments of God. How would you describe the happiness that comes from obedience to God? Are there any phrases in Mosiah 2:38–41 that would help you explain why you keep His commandments?

Keeping the commandments and serving God brings spiritual joy. Spiritual joy is eternal. Bigger than mortal joy. We have joy and happiness in mortal things. That's how it's supposed to be. Those things fade. Spiritual joy is something that our spirit feels. It's connected to our premortal existence and our eternal existence. Eternal joys are simply that, eternal.

Covenants

As we make covenants in holiness before God and commit to follow the Savior, we receive the power to change our hearts, renew our spirits, and deepen our relationship with Him. Such an endeavor brings sanctification to our souls and forms a sacred bond with God and Jesus Christ, who promise that we can inherit the gift of eternal life.

Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ By Elder Ulisses Soares

April 2024

Doctrine & Covenants 14:7

the key to progress

Repenting is the key to progress. Pure faith keeps us moving forward on the covenant path. Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery. Cut it short. Cast his influence out of your life! Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man.

The Power of Spiritual Momentum  

By President Russell M. Nelson

April 2022

Mosiah 2:38-41

Mosiah 3:19

what's your mantra?

Everything changes when I know who I really am. When I doubt my abilities, I often repeat to myself in my mind or out loud, “I am a daughter of God, I am a daughter of God,” as many times as I need until I again feel confident to keep going.

Faithful to the End  

By Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus

April 2024

I loved this simple way to deal with doubt. I think my mantra might be "do your best & trust the rest." It reminds me that i can only do so much. Everything else falls under Luke 12:22–31 and Matthew 6:25–33

cake batter

"The gospel may be said to have destroyed the Mosaic law only as the seed is destroyed in the growth of the new plant, only as the bud is destroyed by the bursting forth of the rich, full, and fragrant flowers, only as infancy and youth pass forever as the maturity of years develops."

James E. Talmage

Chapter 17 of Jesus the Christ 

I liked this view of change. It's given a negative connotation most of the time. Change is part of daily life. I like the change heat has on cake batter. I like the change that happens when combining ingredients. Change isn’t good or bad. It just is. We direct what's happening and the results might be better or worse sometimes. We may miss the old way but that doesn’t mean the new is bad. There's no progress without it. Maybe our view of change has to change.

aunt wu was right

"In tennis, there is something called unforced errors. Unforced errors are considered the result of a player’s blunder rather than being caused by the opponent’s skill. Too often our problems or challenges are self-inflicted, the result of poor choices, or, we could say, the result of “unforced errors.” When we are diligently pursuing the covenant path, we quite naturally avoid many “unforced errors.”

Why the Covenant Path  

By Elder D. Todd Christofferson

April 2021

As Aunt Wu says to Sokka, "Your future is full of struggle and anguish. Most of it self-inflicted." We're our own worst enemies sometimes. Fortunately, Jesus Christ paid for our sins and heals our wounds, even self inflicted ones.

just how I am

I'm teaching again so I'm probably going to focus on the lesson for may 5th for the next couple weeks.

Mosiah 5:1-5

Elder Hallstrom told a story from his days as a bishop. See What Manner of Men? By Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, April 2014

"During one intense discussion about the challenges in his life, he leaned toward me—as his conclusion to our numerous talks—and said, “Bishop, I have a bad temper, and that’s just the way I am!” That statement stunned me that night and has haunted me ever since. Once this man decided — once any of us conclude — “That’s just the way I am,” we give up our ability to change. We might as well raise the white flag, put down our weapons, concede the battle, and just surrender — any prospect of winning is lost. While some of us may think that does not describe us, perhaps every one of us demonstrates by at least one or two bad habits, “That’s just the way I am.”

End quote

That story has stuck with me. Not long after this conference, a sister I on my visiting teaching list said almost exactly the same thing. "I'm a negative person. It's just the way I am." It shocked me as it did elder Hallstrom, especially since it was within a couple months after his talk. It made me aware of that thinking in my own life. It changed my thinking. It's an excuse I don’t allow myself anymore.  

lift where you stand

"Although it may seem simple, lifting where we stand is a principle of power. Most of the priesthood bearers I know understand and live by this principle. They are eager to roll up their sleeves and go to work, whatever that work might be. They faithfully perform their priesthood duties. They magnify their callings. They serve the Lord by serving others. They stand close together and lift where they stand."

Lift Where You Stand  

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Moroni 8:17

Psalm 33:13-15

2 Nephi 26:33

I love this analogy. I've had to lift as a group. The strong and the weak work together. Everyone contributes. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing.  

"When President David O. McKay was a young missionary in Scotland, he was homesick, discouraged, and low in spirit. As he walked down the street with his companion, he noticed an inscription chiseled in a stone lintel of an unfinished building which read, “Whate’er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part.” From that moment, he began to act the part of a good missionary and became a great one. This was a learning experience that helped him in numerous important callings he received later in life. (See Cherished Experiences from the Writings of President David O. McKay, comp. Clare Middlemiss, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1955, p. 174.)"

Valiance in the Drama of Life  

By Elder Royden G. Derrick

earn eternity

Alma 14:8-14

This may be the most tragic thing that happens in the Book of Mormon.   

Alma recorded the Lord's words to him in the moment. People are allowed to make their choices. People are allowed to earn their eternity. 

I love this plan

Follow the prompting

Elder ballard tells a story of delaying following a prompting and he misses out on giving a suster a last blessing before she passed away.

Remember What Matters Most  

By President M. Russell Ballard

April 2023

"I share with you today three cherished examples of what President David O. McKay identified as “heart petals”—the language of the Spirit, the promptings from a heavenly source. First, the inspiration which attends a call to serve. Second, the gratitude of God for a life well lived. Third, the knowledge that we do not walk alone."

See talk for those 3 stories.

The Spirit Giveth Life 

Elder Thomas S. Monson

May 1985

As Joseph Smith taught:

"A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the Spirit of Revelation. For instance when you feel pure Intelligence flowing unto you it may give you sudden strokes of ideas that by noticing it you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon."

I love the term "pure intelligence". I have felt that so many times. I know the words coming out if my mouth are way more clever than anything I was thinking. I know I've opened my mouth (I do that a lot) and the Lord has filled it. More impressive are the times the Lord has shut my mouth. That's a real achievement. I've been in conversations where someone asked a question and an answer came to mind but my mouth was shut. That answer was for me. The Lord knew the hearts of the others present and closed my mouth.  

Lastly, a quote that has stuck with me and changed me.

"We must be confident in our first promptings. Sometimes we rationalize; we wonder if we are feeling a spiritual impression or if it is just our own thoughts. When we begin to second-guess, even third-guess, our feelings—and we all have—we are dismissing the Spirit; we are questioning divine counsel. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that if you will listen to the first promptings, you will get it right nine times out of ten."

Let the Holy Spirit Guide  

By Elder Ronald A. Rasband

April 2017

When I start questioning and debating, I have to repeat, "trust the first prompting" over and over to myself. I push all of the clamor and debate away to find that first "ah-ha", the first glimmer of pure intelligence. Sometimes, I mentally look at the Lord and shake my head chuckling. He prompts me to do some crazy things. I feel like Venkman when Egon and Ray say to cross the streams. Disbelief followed by, "I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it! Let's do it!" The results are always surprising. I may end up covered in exploded marshmallow man but I've always felt the Lord’s approval afterward.

talents and obedience

“Share your talents, for that which we willingly share, we keep.”  

Thomas S. Monson

"The Spirit of Relief Society"

April 1992

I found this quote at the bottom of a sweet story from the friend magazine, "The Calling", July 2011

It's about John Carling, who was called with Elijah Fordham to make the oxen for the Navoo Temple. Brother Carling uses his best ox, Taurus, as a model for the oxen. He used this particular ox because he was strong and obedient.  

Maybe talents and obedience don't go together. Maybe they do. I know sharing your talents can be scary for a lot if reasons. I know I'm often called upon to share what I consider basic knowledge rather than an actual talent. So many other people are more gifted in so many things but I'm the one asked. Maybe the most important word in Pres Monson's quote is willingly. It doesn’t matter how talented you are if you aren't willing to shsre it. Isn't that consecration? I guess talents and obedience do go together. Thanks for letting me wander about with it a bit so I could make the connection. 

Consecrating talents is obedience.

crap happens

Jacob 5:47, 64, 76

The manual sats, "Even though Jacob 5 teaches about nations and centuries of world history, it’s also about you and your life." I've found this allegory very useful when applied directly to me individually. Things need pruned, good grafted in to replace the bad, nourishment, etc. One part that feels so relevant but also makes me laugh is the dung. Everyone has manure on their lives. It might be just normal life, other people's bad choices or even our own stupidity that dumps "dung" into our pasture. This allegory just reminds me that crap is a necessary part of life. It can even be important for growth. Crap happens. Make the most of it. Let something beautiful grow because of it.

love first. words later

Today you get the dubious honor of following my train of thought:

You know I'm making a meme from daily sections in the book of mormon. Some days are hard to find something short and sweet enough to be meme-able. Today’s section was omni 1:19-30. I thought, "oh good. It's a man of God closing his writings. There's always good testimony in that."

Why?

I guess because we try to leave the people we care about with the most important information we have, our testimonies, or guidance to Jesus Christ. 

If it's the most important thing, why isn't it the first thing?

Words aren't important. Actions are. If you start with important information in the form of words, it means nothing. A person doesn't know you care or see the information in action until later. If you come outta the gate telling people what to do it's just bossy.  

Jesus did the same for us. He didn't just jump to descending from a cloud and telling us what to do. He lived it and showed us how much He cared so we'd know His words come from a place of deep love for us. Otherwise, it's just another ruler being bossy.

be good

You may have seen a video of elder bednar talking about revelation. I found an interview where he expands on it a bit. Here's a couple extracts:

"How can I tell when I’m being prompted by the Spirit?…Quit worrying about it. Quit fussing with it. Quit analyzing it. You be a good boy, you be a good girl, you honor your covenants, you keep the commandments; and I promise you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that as you press forward with faith in Christ, your footsteps will be guided.

The vast majority of the time you are being influenced by the Holy Ghost and you have no idea that it is happening. We have the expectation that we have to be consciously aware in the moment that we are receiving revelation and that is not true. In fact, I would suggest much revelation is occurring as we are simply pressing forward, being good and trying to get better with God’s help."

I just love that he says to stop overthinking and just be a good person.  

https://www.ensign.edu/devotional/elder-david-a-bednar-and-jeff-simpson-01-2023

https://youtu.be/AGS45Fd9nmE?si=vrjSLa9t6gE0AT_c

it's all in the plan

Jarom 1:2

The plan of salvation entails everything. What more needs said or taught? It's all in the plan.

tree or building

Found on "Latter Day Saints Standing United".

"No one at the tree is murmuring. That is an exclusive trait of the great and spacious building."

1 Nephi 8:27-33

I love that. I can ask myself if an action or attitude belongs at the tree or in the building.  

Humble or be humbled

"When we choose not to be humble, we end up being humiliated."

Joni L. Koch

"Humble to Accept and Follow"

Alma 32:12-16

This is a lesson over learned over the last half century. "Humble or be humbled. Being humbled is definitely more painful than humbling yourself."

I am the vineyard

I'm up too late, but here's a thought on Jacob 5. We know it's about the fathering of Israel, BUT I think it's about personal progress too. I feel like I just want to burn it all down and start over sometimes. I have places with good soil and rocky spots. Sometimes, it seems like no matter how much I nourish a weakness, it doesn't get stronger. Other times, my strengths fall short.  

It's a process. I don't know when my last day will be. I waste more time than I'd like. It's important to keep working on it. Keep pruning, digging, feeding, and grafting in better bits when you can. I'm pretty grateful that Jesus is always there to say, "Spare it a little longer." or "Keep trying. You'll get it."

both? both. both!

"Jacob felt a responsibility to boldly warn those who were “beginning to labor in sin” while also comforting “the wounded soul” of those who had been hurt by the sins of others (see Jacob 2:5–9). How would he do both? He would point them to Jesus Christ—because both groups needed the Savior’s healing."

Come Follow Me manual April 1-7, 2024

I just love the duality of this. We are all in need of both pretty much all the time. 

the child that felt no pain

Helaman 5:34

I'd just like to share a note from my scriptures:

Darkness and fear both have spiritual references.  

Darkness is prevalent in the world today. It's ignorance, lies, the famine of the word of God. 

How do you run when you don't even know there is light much less where to find it? You don’t, or you stumble. Unfortunately, the darkness not only blinds the eyes but the senses. People stumble and fall, become battered and bruised and don't even know it.  

Fear can be fear of failure or ridicule. We can't let either of these things stop us or make us immovable.

My mom was a babysitter for a woman who always thought it was so sad that children feel pain. It didn't seem fair. He son was then born with nerve problems. He didn’t feel pain. His mother quickly understood the purpose of pain. It tells us that something is wrong and we must act. As a toddler, until his body finally began functioning properly, she had to watch him every second because he couldn't feel the pain of damage done to his body. He didn't know danger because he didn’t feel sharp, hot, or any pain.

Spiritual pain tells us we must act. I never thouht about being grateful for pain. I have enough spiritual light and understanding to know when I'm in the dark, battered, and bruised. It may seem unkind to ruin someone else's fun by showing them the light. It's probably more unkind to allow a person to hurt themselves without at least alerting them to the damage being done.

It may be even more important for us to be grateful that we feel pain. It's not a punishment. It's a warning. It's a sign to act. It's not a cause for shame or self degradation. It's a kind redirection to better things.