This letter was from yesterday. My internet connection wasn't stable and would never send. So enjoy two emails on the same night.
Monday, March 15, 2021
11:10 pm
Switch to daylight savings time is tough, especially with 6 am meetings on Sunday. Second day (today) is worse than the first.
Last night Nathaniel bonked his nose on Spencer's back and got a bloody nose. It finally stopped bleeding after I pinched it shut for five minutes. He didn't like that at all, nor the shower that followed. But he settled down with Signing Time and a bottle, then was so worn out from the experience that he slept all night!
Sunday was ward conference. I was happy with the talk I gave. Felt like I received some revelation concerning what to talk about. Several people after mentioned that they felt like I was talking to them directly. Interestingly, I did have some specific people in mind as I spoke, but some of the people who made that comment weren't among those I was thinking of. The Lord is good.
I love my family. I hope to get enough sleep to be rested and serve them cheerfully tomorrow. More later…
Here's the outline for my talk on Sunday:
Jacob 1:17 - Obtain your errand from the Lord
What is my errand? "Tell everyone how much I love them and want to help them."
I know this is true. Two weeks ago I walked out of Sacrament meeting feeling the love of God for our ward.
D&C 68:25, 29
· My scriptures were hacked in a holy way. Revised verse 25:
And again, inasmuch as you are a Bishop in a stake of Zion and teach your ward members not to understand the doctrine of Jesus Christ, including our responsibility and opportunity to strive each day to follow Him more closely, seeking to hear and heed the promptings of the Holy Ghost in our daily actions and decisions, the sin be upon your head. And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
What is the doctrine of Jesus Christ?
· Love Jesus Christ and seek to feel his love for us
· Trust Jesus.
§ Trust him when he says he can cleanse and forgive our sins, no matter how disgusting they are.
§ Trust him when he says he understands our pain and suffering. When we suffer, turn toward him, not away. Bring the power of the atonement into our lives.
· Physical pain - cancer, recovering from an injury, anything
· Emotional suffering - depression, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, victim of abuse
· Spiritual pain - crisis of faith, not sure what you believe, struggling with doubts
§ Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, he can make us complete and finished. His ultimate goal is make us as he is. Moroni 10:32. His job is to do the perfecting; our job is to come unto Christ, deny ourselves of all that is ungodly, and love God. As we do these things, we allow his grace to make the difference in our lives. Then we are sanctified in Christ (verse 33).
D&C 59:3-12, 21
· 4 - Receiving commandments is a blessing from God. The world has bought into Satan's lie that commandments restrict us and keep us from happiness. Just the opposite is true. Commandments teach us divine law. As we understand and obey those laws, we are free to enjoy blessings and opportunities that otherwise would be unavailable to us. Without understanding and obeying the laws of electricity, we would live in the dark. Without understanding and obeying the laws that govern flight, we would never be airborne. And without understanding and obeying the spiritual laws that God understands, loves, and obeys, we could never experience the happiness that he enjoys. What commandments have you received that are a blessing in your life? Is there a commandment that you could live more faithfully? What happiness and blessings await you as you do so? Or put another way, is there a blessing you want? What commandment do you need to obey to receive that blessing? Are you willing to begin today to obey that commandment more fully?
· 8 - Broken heart is sorrow that the things God loves are not the things we love, or the way God loves is not the way we love. A contrite spirit is a desire to change and a willingness to accept that change without resisting.
· 9-12 - Keeping the sabbath day again. This apparently is very important to God because he keeps bringing it up. Are we keeping the sabbath day in a way that shows our love to God?
One of the commandments we have received from God that is specific to our day - this day of pandemics and contention and protest and anger - is the Children and Youth program.
If you don't have children living at home, don't tune out! Married or single, empty nesters or still with a full flock, the song "I am a Child of God" is always true. No matter your circumstance in life, you are a child of God and the Children and Youth program can bless your life.
The program is patterned after Luke 2:52 - And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Four aspects:
1. Wisdom - intellectual component
2. Stature - physical health and growth
3. Favor with God - spiritual growth and strengthening of testimony
4. Favor with man - social development
All children of God are invited to set specific goals in each of these areas, and then to plan how to develop.
Elder Scott D. Whiting gave an excellent talk on Becoming like Him in October 2020 General Conference. He suggests:
[Once] you have resolved to change and repent and have sought guidance through praying, pondering honestly, and possibly counseling with others, you will need to select an attribute that will keenly become your focus. You will need to commit to exerting meaningful effort. These attributes won't come cheaply and suddenly, but through [the] grace [of Jesus Christ] they will come incrementally while endeavoring.
Christlike attributes are gifts from a loving Heavenly Father to bless us and those around us. Accordingly, our efforts to obtain these attributes will require heartfelt pleas for His divine assistance. If we seek these gifts to better serve others, He will bless us in our efforts. Selfishly pursuing a gift from God will end in disappointment and frustration.
By focusing deeply on one needed attribute, as you progress in obtaining that attribute, other attributes begin to accrue to you. Can someone who is focusing deeply on charity not increase in love and humility? Can someone who is focusing on obedience not gain greater diligence and hope? Your significant efforts to gain one attribute become the tide that raises all boats in the harbor.
Plead with parents to become intimately involved with their children's efforts in Children and Youth. Set the example by sharing your worthy goals and discussing your successes and failures.
Testify of God's love for each of us.
