Personal Personal Blog

[rabbitsofroses]

How do we align our will with God?

Wanted to take the opportunity to share some 10 insights from my scripture study class. Hopefully this also acts as a helpful guide.

1: In 3rd Nephi 14:21 it says "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." If we want to return to Heavenly Father in heaven it is important that we act in accordance to the will of God. How do we remain obedient?

2: We must cast aside the natural man. The natural man is the impulse to act in defiance of God and our negative habits.

3: Instead, we are instructed to be as a child. This means we should obey our Heavenly father and other attributes as listed below

4: We should be meek. Meekness isn't necessarily timidness. Instead it's choosing self restraint.

5:We should have humility. Humility is the ability to self reflect. It's important that we don't mistaken humility for low self-confidence. It's the ability to reflect objectively and find how we can improve.

6:Have the curiosity and willingness to learn. If we don't have an open heart to allow ourselves to learn new things we aren't likely to take steps to obey the commandments.

7. Now when we are actively obeying the commandments we must practice endurance, which involves diligence. We can't be passive in our journey of practicing our faith.

8: As we are practicing endurance we must also remain patient. We are promised that as we obey the commandments we will receive blessings. Blessings don't necessarily mean that everything will go perfectly.

9: This leads into us needing to trust that God will provide. God won't give us a command and not provide the means in which it is possible. We must trust that his will is indeed feasible, and that we will be able to execute it.

10: Lastly we should also share his gospel. This can also be a scary part, but by actively obeying his commandments we will be able to provide an example to others that we can strengthen both our own testimony and others testimony.

[rabbitsofroses]

I feel as children, when we're taking the sacrament so much is focused on remaining quiet. To sit still and be reverent. While this is obviously not all that bad, it's helpful to teach children how to not be disruptive. We sometimes forget to teach them what the sacrament is actually about, which is partaking in Jesus Christ's atonement. When we're not allowing ourselves to feel the spirit and truly feel the weight of it, we're stealing ourselves a great opportunity to reflect. What do you do to keep the spirit during quiet parts of the sacrament? I know I find it helpful to pray.

[rabbitsofroses]

It's important to remember why you go to church, for a while I know I lost sight of why I went to church on a regular basis. But it's important to remember that by going to church you are not only increasing your own testimony but you are also given the opportunity to increase the testimonies of others.

[rabbitsofroses]

Revisiting the story of Moses freeing the Israelites and the depth of symbolism is so fascinating. Alongside the parallels between the sacrificial lamb and Jesus Christ, I find it significant that they're meant to put the blood on the threshold of their homes. As we go on to build up our own homes it's important for us to make our homes a safe place for our family to grow their relationship with Heavenly Father.

[dankxsinatra]

[heathersdesk]

From the Conference Report:

In 2023, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated $1.36 billion in 119 countries in humanitarian aid.

That is a truly staggering amount of money to allocate, let alone to oversee and participate in the 4,119 projects reflected in that amount.

The Church was already involved in partnerships with humanitarian aid organizations around the world. But I like to think that these increases, into over $1 billion, are a result of membership concerns about the financial holdings of the Church. Money in accounts bless no one and church members, former and current, made it clear that we want to see more of that money in the hands of those in need. And the Church is doing that.

Bottom up changes happen in the Church. What we say and do makes a difference, especially when we go to the Lord in prayer with our concerns.

[dumpster-hag]

I need everyone to know that my grandpa, who is in his mid-seventies, wears a rainbow pin to church every Sunday. He does this because the family he ministers to has a gay son, and they wear similar pins to church, so he wanted to show solidarity. I haven't told my grandpa that I'm queer - mostly because he lives far away from me and it's never come up - but that makes this gesture even more meaningful to me. My grandpa doesn't wear a rainbow pin to church because his granddaughter is bi, he wears one because he wants his neighbors to feel safe and respected. I know it can feel like everyone over the age of 30 is hateful and unaccepting of us, especially when that hostility comes from our own family members. But if it helps, remember that someone's grandpa wears a rainbow pin to church for YOU. To show that you are welcome. You belong. You are loved just the way you are.

[rabbitsofroses]

That's really lovely

[earthgeco]

Criticizing the church and the culture around it, is how it will improve. So no I won't stop. And I will argue that is a mark towards my integrity not against it.

[rabbitsofroses]

Seriously, yes there's the core principals but the culture we should asbolutely scrutinize especially when aspects of the culture actively harms it's members and actively doesn't qlone with the gospel.

[notsostraightandnarrow]

I love the Mormons and LDS community crawling out of the woodwork into my notifications like little mice twice a year.