According to my dictionary the definition for “Child” is:
“A young human being below the age of full physical development, or below the legal age of majority. -A son or daughter of any age. -An immature or irresponsible person. -A person who has little or no experience in a particular area.”
With that definition in mind Matthew 18:3-4 becomes a little confusing: Read the rest of this entry »
You’ve heard this phrase before in the scriptures. God’s course is “one eternal round.” This shows up various times in the scriptures. I’ll include one of those references here, from D&C 35:1:
Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever.
I never really quite understood what “one eternal round” meant; I probably still don’t to a great degree. But I did read something a couple of months ago that gave some significant meaning to this concept for me. Read the rest of this entry »
A few months ago, for ward conference, the meeting was about keeping the Sabbath day holy. What does it mean, and how can we make it what it truly is, not just a day of the weekend, but a day of worship? It was mentioned that we do not often think of attending our Sunday meetings as worship — but this is what it is. We are going there to worship the Lord and renew our covenants. What is our frame of mind when we attend? Do we really appreciate the symbol of the sacrament table, and the sacrament? Read the rest of this entry »
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
What stress, what strain, what difficulty can not be relieved by such a promise? I have so many things in my life that cause me distress, from the petty troubles like downtime for my website to the deeper consideration and angst that comes with the weight of the responsibility of shaping and creating another’s formative life, but the fact is that they are small things, as huge as they seem, and are contained well within this speck of life we call mortality. Read the rest of this entry »
So, I’ve been considering the lilies of the field, and how they grow. While it is pretty easy to see the lesson on not relying on music to accurately quote the scriptures, the lesson the Lord was trying to teach us isn’t as forthcoming. Read the rest of this entry »
I like likening the scriptures unto myself. Give me that profit and learning, I say.
I’ve heard it’s easiest to start with the “insert my name here” verses, like Doctrine & Covenants Section 25 is fairly easy to personalize with my own name in place of Emma’s, thinking of myself as an elect lady has its difficulties. Murmuring not over things unseen in my own life–oh the list I have of those. Supporting and comforting my husband, been there, done that, and I’ll be delighted to keep being there and doing that. Learning to sing the hymns of Zion, so that my song can be a delight to the Lord, oh, it’s a giant step up from my joyful noise. Rejoicing, keeping my covenants, the list goes on and on–this is a treasure trove of likening. Read the rest of this entry »
For a period of many years I had difficulty with the concept of gratitude. I wanted to stop working. I greatly desired that my husband could find a job that would bring that about. I prayed, I cried, and prayed some more. I think the only thing I prayed and cried more for was the gift of more children. The guilt was horrible, I felt so ungrateful to want even more blessings. After all, I had a warm home, a good job working with the most precious of Gods children, a wonderful husband, two sweet children, loving parents, good friends, fairly decent health, great sisters, a brother I adore, and so many more I could not name them all at once. How could I possibly want more? Read the rest of this entry »
There is a scripture that my husband and I refer to quite frequently. It’s embedded in the “war chapters” and is one of those if-you-blink-you-might-miss-it kinds of scriptures. Its message is simple and profound.
But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war….many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility. (Alma 62:41)
Normally Romans is not one of my favorite books in the New Testament, I reserve that for the books of John, Hebrews, and Revelation. Yet a few weeks ago I was reading in the book of Romans, and I was struck by the following:
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4And patience, experience; and experience, hope
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
I love Moroni’s discourse on Faith, Hope and Charity; somehow this statement by Paul is just as touching. Read the rest of this entry »
From advertisers to the adversary, we are bombarded with all sorts of earthly glories meant to entice us and sway us, convince us and even occasionally lead us astray. How do we hold fast to that which we know to be good when all around us sparkles and shines in seductive and alluring ways? The answer is in Moses, chapter 1. Read the rest of this entry »