The Curse of Worldliness

A few months ago I decided I wanted and needed to start attending a local gym. I got ready to go and felt like I was going to Junior High for the first time. I felt all self conscious and wondered what all the other stronger women would be like. I have never cared much about style so I didn't really care so much about what I was wearing but did wonder if I would be subjected to a bunch of sports bras and bare mid-drifts. Much to my relief when I arrived I met a group of wonderful women led by one of the most beautiful and strong women I have ever met. Amy sets an immediate tone of non-judgement and acceptance. I am not sure she is even aware that she is doing it but once you walk into one of her classes all your insecurities and fears seem to just disappear. Suddenly you can really do anything you set your mind to. There are no expectations of special fancy gym clothes or cheesy fake cliques. You are you and you start where you are and before you even realize it you are doing things you never thought possible. My first class I was introduced to "the prowler". 

I had seen something like it on TV with these big huge football players pushing it. I looked at that thing and was sure Amy was joking about us pushing that thing across the room. I stood in awe as the other ladies pushed it like it was a chair on an ice skating rink. They looked liked ordinary women not body builders and yet they were ridiculously strong. My turn came and I tried to push the sled with 90 pounds added to it. I literally walked out of my shoes trying to push against the weight. I tightened my laces and tried again. I eventually got it all the way down to one end and turned around to push it back. It took me four times as long as the others but I did it. Amy then came over and said, "Don't worry. That thing probably weighs more than you do. Let's get the weight off for the last two sets." She let me struggle and succeed then helped me be able to keep succeeding. After several weeks of her class we did "the prowler" again. This time I pushed it with ease with the 90 pounds and was SO excited and proud. Amy just smiled and said, "It's those little victories that keep you going. It's all about consistency."

Who knew that my weights for women class would teach me so many profound things about the Atonement and help me understand Isaiah!?!?

As I thought about the physical strength I was gaining and the way it was coming I had a verse of Isaiah come into my mind. It is found in 2 Nephi 13 where Isaiah's prophecy about the curse that will come upon the daughters of Zion is recorded. These verses have often bothered me. The Lord tells us through Isaiah that He "will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments, and cauls, and round tires like the moon; The chains and the bracelets, and the mufflers; The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the ear-rings; The rings, and nose jewels; The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping-pins; The glasses, and the fine linen, and hoods, and the veils." The Lord then says, "And it shall come to pass, instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth; burning instead of beauty." The heading to the chapter says that the curse on the daughters of Zions comes because of their worldliness. As I pondered on this curse I came to realize that like most consequences given by the Lord the punishment is really going to be mostly self-inflicted. 

If our self-esteem and confidence before the world depends on feedback from the world about our worth and value we are going to be left feeling awfully uncomfortable when all of that goes away....and it will ALL go away. When the Lord returns He is not going to look at our Pintrest account and praise us for all the cute craft projects we shared. He is not going to compliment us on the shade of our lipstick or the perfect coordination of our shoes and our purse. He is not going to care how many clubs, committees or popular circles we frequented. He is not going to care how many trophies or medals we hold. He is not going to care about any of the outward appearances at all.  He is going to expect us to have been like the people during the time of Alma the younger. In Alma 1 we read that the people lived the Gospel as we have been taught to live it: "And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely."

We ought to be developing our talents in ways that will impart the blessings of peace and comfort to others. The best way to avoid the curse of worldliness is to gain confidence before the Lord not the world. As we develop spiritual, physical, mental and emotional strength we will feel more confident before our God and then will be able to heed the call of the prophet to STAND UP AND STAND OUT. We will be totally okay with being different because we will be basking in the love, blessing and approval of our Lord. We will have our own solid and sure testimonies and will not falter when the world calls out to us with its tantalizing lies and mocking. We will be like Sariah and after clinging to the rod of iron and struggling through trials (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual, she had them all) we will partake of the fruit and then stand as beacons to others as the tidal waves of criticism, mocking, scoffing and finger pointing of the world rage around us. It will not be easy to escape the curse and throw off the world but as we consistently make course corrections and build up our spiritual, physical, mental and emotional strength we will be stronger than we ever thought possible and will abide the day of His coming and stand with Him on Mount Zion. 

New Year New Expectations

I have always dreaded the New Year Resolution season. I always feel so overwhelmed by the thought of committing to a goal or set of goals for a year! I have never been a good goal setter. The best I ever did was on my mission. My husband said the same thing. That got me thinking. Why was it so much easier to set and achieve goals as a missionary? Then it hit me because they were SMART goals! New Year's Resolutions are rarely SMART goals. This year I am not making any New Year's Resolutions instead I am going to set a few SMART goals and work on them for a few months then evaluate and set some more! Totally less overwhelming!



(credit for the image goes to http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/osulliva/phys1554/WeightMatters/plan.html)

One of the things that I look forward to most this year is learning to be constant. I think I have often confused constant with perfect and was prone to feel like a total failure when I missed that first day of reading my scriptures or saying my prayers or whatever the goal task was. It was nearly impossible for me to feel like I could get caught up to "perfect" my course. I am finally realizing that I was totally missing the point! I will never be perfect at all these things I want to be perfect at. The goal is to be constantly moving forward, using the Atonement to make things right and then letting go of the mistakes! This year I am going to embrace this new expectation for myself and celebrate every success and rejoice in every repair made along the way because those repairs show that I am relying on the Lord and using the gift He has given me. I no longer strive to the "perfect" but to be CONSTANT.

"Nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him"

The life of Alma the Younger offers so many insights and angles to study. Shortly after being made the chief judge and High Priest he realizes that the church is falling into disarray. A portion of the saints are ever faithful, giving, obedient and humble but another large portion of the church members are filled with pride and begin to lead converts on from one form of wickedness on to another. Alma sorrows greatly for the sins of his brethren and knows he must do something. I am sure he was completely overwhelmed and spent hours on his knees and poured through the scriptures for answers. In Alma chapter 4 verse 15 we read that despite his sadness and concern "the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him".

Alma makes an important decision. He will turn the political office over to another and focus wholly on his call as the High Priest of the church. I liken the next 13 chapters of Alma to our general conference and stake conferences with visiting authorities. Alma travels from church to church throughout the land to "set the churches in order". He teaches some of the most profound and clear sermons on the Atonement and how to access it's redeeming power. He bears powerful witness with Amulek of Christ's promised birth and ministry. He also sets a wonderful example of how to gain strength and access miracles through fasting and patient consistent obedience.

The next time you read Alma chapters 5 through 17 think of them as a conference issue of the Ensign. The teachings and testimonies are timeless and powerful.

I can witness with Alma that when hard times come, when we are filled with worry or sorrow, when we or someone we love suffer illness or tragedy, "the Spirit of the Lord will not fail [us]"! When things get hard read Alma's witness of the Savior's love and great Atonement (Alma 7: 7-12). Remember that there is no pain, no sorrow, no temptation, no sickness that He does not know personally and perfectly how to relieve. He bore our sorrows and griefs that He might know perfectly how to bring us peace and comfort. Turn to Him and Trust Him.

A Nephite Christmas: Lessons on how to hold on to your faith and hope in Christ

I have always loved the story of the first Christmas as relaid in the Book of Mormon. Samuel's beautiful testimony and his powerful witness give us a perfect example of how our loving Father in Heaven works. He calls a prophet to witness to His children and then HE ALWAYS FULFILLS HIS PROMISES.

Imagine that first Christmas in Zarahemla. It has been 5 years since Samuel came and stood on the wall to bear witness of the Messiah's coming birth. You felt the Spirit witness to you that his words were true. He made a covenant to follow the Lord and to wait for His coming and embrace His Atonement yet to be fulfilled. Evil men conspire and declare your faith obsolete. They tell you that you have waited in vain and make a hundred explanations for the signs that you have seen. Then these wicked and murderous men tell you that your faith is not only vain but will cost you your life. They set a deadline for the great sign of Christ's coming. If the star does not appear and the night does not stay as day you will die along with all others who proclaim faith in the words of Samuel.

I love the recorded interchange on that first Christmas Eve between Christ and one of His prophets. In 3 Nephi 1: 11-14 we read how Nephi the prophet sorrows for the persecution of the faithful and for the wickedness of his brethren. He pours out his soul to the Lord all that day and the Lord responds with a beautiful declaration. "Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the times is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son...And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given."

The Lord keeps His promises. It was clear that fist Christmas Eve that He was indeed the giver of life and light and hope. The sun set that Christmas Eve and those fearful but ever faithful saints waited and watched steadfastly clinging to their hope in the Savior they were promised. The sign came. The night was not dark but full of light. The new star appeared. The promised Messiah was coming! Can you imagine the joy of those saints? Their lives were literally saved that Christmas Eve by the Lord's birth. The Lord in His mercy extended to them an early Christmas present and confirmed their faith.

We live in a time of similar wickedness. Most of us are not threatened with death for our faith, though some are. We face the mocking and ridicule of those who would have us believe that Christ was not who He said He was or who the prophets have testified He was and is. Those who mock our desires for purity and call our obedience ignorance tell us our faith is vain and our knowledge "foolish imaginings". We must be as these faithful Nephites and look to those who do know for hope, peace and the courage to stand true in times of persecution and trial. The record in Third Nephi tells us that the people's faith was shaken by the words of the wicked (see verses 7-8) but the strength of their living prophet sustained them. The words of our beloved prophets and apostles can sustain us as well. They know as Nephi did that the Lord will fulfill all He has had them promise. The Lord will come again. Signs abound in our day as they did in the days of Samuel. We too are waiting and watching steadfastly to know that our faith has not been in vain. We too can take comfort in the Savior's comforting words to Nephi that he "will fulfil all that which [He] have caused to be spoken by the mouth of [His] holy prophets". He will come again and His Gospel is indeed the only way to achieve peace in this life and eternal joy in the world to come. Verse 22 of that same chapter warns us that Satan strove from that time on to harden hearts by sending lyings and deceivings among the people to make them doubt the signs they had seen and the testimonies they had received. We will have to cling to our faith and stay close to our living prophets to stand firm in the face of Satan's lies.

This Christmas may we remember the first Christmas Eve in Zarahemla and like those fearful but faithful saints cling to the Savior and rejoice in the knowledge that He did come as He promised and He did do all that He said He would do. His Atonement is real and has the power to heal, protect, make right and cleanse us all. His Atonement will make everything right in the end. We can trust Him and his prophets. His first Christmas gift saved the lives of believers and He will continue to save us one by one. God be thanked for the gift of His Son! God be thanked for allowing His precious Son to be "broken and bruised" for us. God be thanked for Christ the Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, even the Prince of Peace!

The Conference Study Notebook for October 2015 Conference

Here are the links to a Conference Study Notebook you can print. Hope it is helpful to some as you try to find answers to your questions and gain strength from the wonderful messages shared. Feel free to share if with others but it is NOT FOR SALE. It is a free resource for everyone.

Study Notebook in Word
Study Notebook in PDF

A Legacy of Faith

After my last post I got a call from our Bishop. He asked me if I had spoken in church lately. I had a total stupor of thought. I could not remember the last time I had spoken in church. He said he felt like I should speak in church in a few weeks. I told him I would be happy to do so. He then gave me the topic of obedience. I smiled and told him that would be just great. I do not believe it was a coincidence that the very topic that has been on my mind for weeks was the topic I was assigned. After I hung up I walked to where my husband was working on the computer and told him about Bishop's call. He laughed and said, "You are speaking again!?! You just barely spoke." I looked at him blankly and said, "I did?". He reminded me that I has spoken on family history work just a few weeks ago. I still could not remember doing that until he started explaining more about my talk then finally I remembered that I had in fact spoken in church recently! Sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways. I am grateful for that stupor of thought because I have learned a lot over these past weeks as I have studied more about obedience. Here is an excerpt from the talk I am working. 

Our obedience can bring forth fruits of confidence, freedom, peace, joy, strength and protection. In the priesthood session of this last general conference President Monson said, “God’s commandments are not given to frustrate us or to become obstacles to our happiness. Just the opposite is true. He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just how we need to live our lives in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible. He has provided us with guidelines which, if we follow them, will see us safely through this often treacherous mortal journey. We remember the words of the familiar hymn: “Keep the commandments! In this there is safety; in this there is peace.” He understands that when we keep the commandments, our lives will be happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated. Our challenges and problems will be easier to bear, and we will receive His promised blessings. But while He gives us laws and commandments, He also allows us to choose whether to accept them or to reject them. Our decisions in this regard will determine our destiny.”

It is important that we look for and record the blessings that we receive through our obedience. We need to teach our children with real life examples of how our obedience offers us protection, happiness, peace, strength and access to miracles. Consider sharing these experiences with your children to fortify their faith. As parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, older siblings take some time to review your trials and blessings. See if obedience played a part in any of the miracles you have seen in your life. Then record what you know. Record your testimonies and experiences. This is a wonderful way to make the Sabbath a delight. Share your records at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Pass on your legacy of faithful, purposeful obedience. Help your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters understand that when we obey our Father in Heaven because we love him and know that He has given us the commandments because He loves us. In a world of turmoil and strife our personal peace and safety lies in our obedience and sincere repentance. 

I think a written record of your experiences of obedience and blessings would be a perfect Christmas gift. You could even start a Christmas tradition of sharing one faith-filled family experience each Sunday in December to help us remember the real purpose and power of Christ's Atonement. 

"Mom, why do we have to always obey God?"

As I was putting the boys to bed last night our 4 year old posed a very good question. "Mom, why do we have to always obey God?" I started to answer his question and our 6 year old finished for me. "We don't HAVE to obey God. He hopes we will choose to though." We then talked about the blessings of obedience and the WHY of the commandments. We talked about the commandment to avoid drugs and alcohol and how that commandment is designed to keep us free. I explained that all of God's commandments are designed to keep us FREE and HAPPY.

It is interesting that he would ask that question right now. I was picking a scripture last week to "ponderize" and wanted one about courage. I was amazed to realize the connection in Old Testament times to courage and obedience. I have heard Joshua 1:9 quoted a million times. Usually the question at the beginning of the verse is omitted in the quote. That question is a very important part of the scripture though.

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." - Joshua 1:9

We can have total assurance that the Lord will keep His word. The blessing associated with obedience is a GUARANTEE. Consider the 2,000 stripling warriors. What kept them safe? "Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them." (Alma 57:21) Exact obedience kept them safe. They learned that obedience through watching their mothers faithfully obey. They understood the WHY of God's commandments.

The Bible and the Book of Mormon have a running theme. Obedience brings prosperity and blessing. God's word can be trusted. If He promises then it will happen. That is the foundation of true life-changing faith. Let us teach our children the WHY of obedience. Let us point them to Christ and let them rest in the comfort of obedience. The fruit of obedience is the Spirit or in other words love, joy, peace, confidence, courage, freedom and safety. We all need that fruit in our lives and homes today.