Mark 3:35"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."
In this scripture, Christ tenderly promises that those who follow Him will be a part of His family. I really love this idea because sometimes when I feel alone, lonely, frustrated, or overwhelmed, all I really long for is an embrace from a family member, someone to hold and rock me as I cry or scream. Sometimes, and especially lately, it is common for me to feel this way and there is nobody to embrace me. I would like to testify that I have put this in practice and when nobody else was there to comfort me and I cried out, Christ came and surrounded me with His love. I know that He felt what I was feeling, and was crying with me. It felt so natural, just like my father, older brother, or husband would do, and yet it was Christ. I felt Him, I knew it was Him, and I was comforted, and given the strength to carry on and push forward in the daily hum-drum of life.
Breanna Plooster
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Light of Life
John 8:12, "The spake Jesus again unto to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
As I read this scripture, I came to a new understand of it. I understand that Christ is the light of the world, a particularly poignant symbol at this time of year, but I really felt like Christ was trying to tell me to do something, give me a commandment, if you will, in this verse. I studied it and came up with the idea that if Christ is the light of the world, and I know it and I see it, then I need to spread it. Right now, at this time in history, Christ's light cannot cover the whole Earth and light everyone's darkness. That is where I come in. I need to spread that light that makes everyone's days a little more joyful. So I decided to sweep off the 6 or 7 inches of snow and ice that had caked everyone's car in my ward. I thought that if I could put it into practice, I would really be spreading a little bit of that Christ, or Christmas, light.
Simple Statement of Principle: Pick up Christ's light and share it.
Breanna Plooster
As I read this scripture, I came to a new understand of it. I understand that Christ is the light of the world, a particularly poignant symbol at this time of year, but I really felt like Christ was trying to tell me to do something, give me a commandment, if you will, in this verse. I studied it and came up with the idea that if Christ is the light of the world, and I know it and I see it, then I need to spread it. Right now, at this time in history, Christ's light cannot cover the whole Earth and light everyone's darkness. That is where I come in. I need to spread that light that makes everyone's days a little more joyful. So I decided to sweep off the 6 or 7 inches of snow and ice that had caked everyone's car in my ward. I thought that if I could put it into practice, I would really be spreading a little bit of that Christ, or Christmas, light.
Simple Statement of Principle: Pick up Christ's light and share it.
Breanna Plooster
Sacrament
Ever since last class, I have not been able to get the idea of the sacrament out of my head with the video about the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. I kept thinking about how the word sacrament means that something divine and something human is being combined. I realized that as we take the sacrament each week, we are inviting the divine power of the Atonement into our lives and giving up some of our humanness for divinity. I really loved the idea that at the Last Supper, Jesus Christ gave us something divine, His personal, bodily sacrifice, and in return asks us for some of our humanness, some natural man. Although sometimes I think about how hard it is to repent, when I really take a moment and think about how much the Savior gave me, my sins become much easier to give.
The Simple Statement of Principle: Take a moment and think about how much the Savior gave us, and it will make it easier to give Him our sins, shortcomings, and afflictions.
I believe this with every fiber of my being. I implore you to take that moment during the sacrament and I testify that you will discover how badly you want to make things right and turn them over to the Lord.
Breanna Plooster
The Simple Statement of Principle: Take a moment and think about how much the Savior gave us, and it will make it easier to give Him our sins, shortcomings, and afflictions.
I believe this with every fiber of my being. I implore you to take that moment during the sacrament and I testify that you will discover how badly you want to make things right and turn them over to the Lord.
Breanna Plooster
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Christ's Life
Something Brother Bott said this past week really struck me. It caused me to do some reflecting this past week on what the life of Mary, Mother of Jesus, must have been like. It was interesting for me to go back into the beginning chapters of Luke and read about the birth of Christ. It is especially interesting at this time of year when we celebrate His birth.
It was very profound for me to then go to the end of his life and read the account of him and Mary at the cross. I wonder what life must have been like for Mary.
This has been a great semester and a great opportunity to learn about Christ. I would like to end my post by thanking all that have helped teach me this semester and especially thank Brother Boyce for his perseverance.
Thank you! and Merry Christmas to all!
It was very profound for me to then go to the end of his life and read the account of him and Mary at the cross. I wonder what life must have been like for Mary.
This has been a great semester and a great opportunity to learn about Christ. I would like to end my post by thanking all that have helped teach me this semester and especially thank Brother Boyce for his perseverance.
Thank you! and Merry Christmas to all!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Who art thou?
John 21:12 "Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord."
Simple Statement of Principle: Know the Lord well enough to know when He is taking a hand in your life.
I know that seeing the Lord face to face is not on the agenda of many of our lives', but we can know the Lord and know that He works on our behalf even today, if we take the time to learn who he is. When the day comes I do not want to be one who does not recognize the Lord, like the rich man who turned the beggar Lazarus away. I want to be like these disciples and not need to ask the Lord who He is. But even more than that, right now, today, I want to be able to recognize when the Lord blesses me or intervenes in my behalf. And in order for me to recognize His hand more often, I need to cultivate a personal understanding of who He is, what He stands for, and what He wants. The only way to do that is through prayer, scripture study, going to the temple, and serving others.
President Eyring said, "Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today? As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done."
Breanna Plooster
Simple Statement of Principle: Know the Lord well enough to know when He is taking a hand in your life.
I know that seeing the Lord face to face is not on the agenda of many of our lives', but we can know the Lord and know that He works on our behalf even today, if we take the time to learn who he is. When the day comes I do not want to be one who does not recognize the Lord, like the rich man who turned the beggar Lazarus away. I want to be like these disciples and not need to ask the Lord who He is. But even more than that, right now, today, I want to be able to recognize when the Lord blesses me or intervenes in my behalf. And in order for me to recognize His hand more often, I need to cultivate a personal understanding of who He is, what He stands for, and what He wants. The only way to do that is through prayer, scripture study, going to the temple, and serving others.
President Eyring said, "Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today? As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done."
Breanna Plooster
Down to Hell
Matthew 27:64 "Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him way, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first."
Just as the Pharisees were never satisfied with Jesus' death--first they wanted Him to be killed, then they wanted His tomb guarded, then whan the disciples would not keep silent, they tried to kill them. This is how Satan works. He is never satisfied with one little sin or one mistake; he is always tugging on us to drag us further down to hell.
Simple Statement of Principle, "Satan will never be satisfied; he will work on us until he gradually drags us to hell." Therefore watch out for him, do not let one sin lead to another and to another. It is just like Lehonti in the Book of Mormon. Amalickiah was never satisfied with how far Lehonti had come down the mountain until he was trapped.
Elder Robert D Hales said, "In the Book of Mormon, we read about Lehonti and his men camped upon a mount. The traitorous Amalickiah urged Lehonti to “come down” and meet him in the valley. But when Lehonti left the high ground, he was poisoned “by degrees” until he died, and his army fell into Amalickiah’s hands (see Alma 47)."
Breanna Plooster
Just as the Pharisees were never satisfied with Jesus' death--first they wanted Him to be killed, then they wanted His tomb guarded, then whan the disciples would not keep silent, they tried to kill them. This is how Satan works. He is never satisfied with one little sin or one mistake; he is always tugging on us to drag us further down to hell.
Simple Statement of Principle, "Satan will never be satisfied; he will work on us until he gradually drags us to hell." Therefore watch out for him, do not let one sin lead to another and to another. It is just like Lehonti in the Book of Mormon. Amalickiah was never satisfied with how far Lehonti had come down the mountain until he was trapped.
Elder Robert D Hales said, "In the Book of Mormon, we read about Lehonti and his men camped upon a mount. The traitorous Amalickiah urged Lehonti to “come down” and meet him in the valley. But when Lehonti left the high ground, he was poisoned “by degrees” until he died, and his army fell into Amalickiah’s hands (see Alma 47)."
Breanna Plooster
One with God
John 17:20-21 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
We can become one with God, just as the Savior was, by believing on the words of the Savior and drawing nearer to God through them.
D. Todd Christofferson said, "Becoming at one within ourselves prepares us for the greater blessing of becoming one with God and Christ. Surely we will not be one with God and Christ until we make Their will and interest our greatest desire."
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
We can become one with God, just as the Savior was, by believing on the words of the Savior and drawing nearer to God through them.
D. Todd Christofferson said, "Becoming at one within ourselves prepares us for the greater blessing of becoming one with God and Christ. Surely we will not be one with God and Christ until we make Their will and interest our greatest desire."
Baptism - water and fire
Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
Baptism, without the reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost, is an incomplete ordinance. We need both in order to fully receive the blessings promised to us.
Joseph Smith said: “You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost”
Baptism, without the reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost, is an incomplete ordinance. We need both in order to fully receive the blessings promised to us.
Joseph Smith said: “You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost”
Spirit of the law
Luke 14:2-3 "And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?
And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;"
It is more important to understand and follow the spirit of the law than the letter of the law.
Boyd K. Packer stated the following:
"The commandments found in the scriptures, both the positive counsel and the 'shalt nots,' form the letter of the law. There is also the spirit of the law. We are responsible for both."
And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;"
It is more important to understand and follow the spirit of the law than the letter of the law.
Boyd K. Packer stated the following:
"The commandments found in the scriptures, both the positive counsel and the 'shalt nots,' form the letter of the law. There is also the spirit of the law. We are responsible for both."
Friendship with the Savior
John 15:13-14 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
We cultivate friendship with the Savior and come to know and love him by heeding his words and obeying his teachings.
As we cultivate this friendship with the Savior, we will be willing, as he was, to lay down our own lives if necessary for him or for his cause.
Richard C. Edgley said, "The Savior gave the criteria for His friendship in the 15th chapter of John, in which He states, 'Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you' (John 15:14). He further gave the acid test when He said, 'Ye shall know them by their fruits' (Matt. 7:16; see also Matt. 7:17–18, 20). This is how we will all be judged—by our fruits, good or bad. In the final judgment, if our fruits so warrant, we will be invited to sit on the right hand of God. There I believe will be His friends."
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
We cultivate friendship with the Savior and come to know and love him by heeding his words and obeying his teachings.
As we cultivate this friendship with the Savior, we will be willing, as he was, to lay down our own lives if necessary for him or for his cause.
Richard C. Edgley said, "The Savior gave the criteria for His friendship in the 15th chapter of John, in which He states, 'Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you' (John 15:14). He further gave the acid test when He said, 'Ye shall know them by their fruits' (Matt. 7:16; see also Matt. 7:17–18, 20). This is how we will all be judged—by our fruits, good or bad. In the final judgment, if our fruits so warrant, we will be invited to sit on the right hand of God. There I believe will be His friends."
I have overcome the world
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
The savior's atonement should bring joy and peace to our lives.
This peace and joy stands in stark contrast to the fear and dispair which abound in the world today. Christ overcame the world through his atonement. We can overcome the world by partaking of the blessings of his atonement through repentance.
"Those who overcome this world by repenting will in the process have formed character which will give them 'so much the advantage in the world to come.' So much, therefore, of overcoming the world consists of overcoming the proclivities of the natural man and woman."
The savior's atonement should bring joy and peace to our lives.
This peace and joy stands in stark contrast to the fear and dispair which abound in the world today. Christ overcame the world through his atonement. We can overcome the world by partaking of the blessings of his atonement through repentance.
"Those who overcome this world by repenting will in the process have formed character which will give them 'so much the advantage in the world to come.' So much, therefore, of overcoming the world consists of overcoming the proclivities of the natural man and woman."
Turn the other cheek
"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matthew 5:39
We should never try for the path of least resistance, for the easiest way never was the way that leads to salvation and eternal life.
Robert D. Hales said, "When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we too stand with the Savior"
We should never try for the path of least resistance, for the easiest way never was the way that leads to salvation and eternal life.
Robert D. Hales said, "When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we too stand with the Savior"
A Living Testimony
I wanted to post my last comments this semester with my testimony of the Savior and His ministry on the earth. It as been such a wonderful semester being able to study the life of the savior. My testimony of His divinely appointed mission has increased. I know that he lives and guides this church today. He is the great Jehovah who we sustained as Savior of the world in the pre-mortal life. Under the direction of the Father he created this physical world we now live on. I know that he was born of Mary in a manger in Bethlehem and that the angels of heaven shouted for joy at his birth. I know that he brought light and truth to the world. His ministry was that of peace and charity. He preformed miracles and walked the roads of the Holy Land doing good. He was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness, he ordained apostles and then established His gospel. I know he suffered in the garden of Gethsemane and balanced the scales of justice and mercy with His infinite atonement. I love Him and wish to always serve Him. He is the same being who appeared to the inhabitants of the Americas and visited the boy Joseph in answer to a humble prayer. He leads the church today through chosen servants and continues to be the living water and the bread of life. The living testimony of the restoration is that he lives. I know all this to be true. In His name Jesus Christ. Amen.
Signs of the Time
Mathew 24:
3 ¶ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
When I read this my first impulse is to worry about the condition of the world today. At this point in my life I seem to stress too much about the economy, political situation, and disillusioning media presentations of the world status. I also worry about the progression of the world and what it might be for my kids in the future. Then I read the following and remember the eternal perspective I must have.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come
The signs of the time also give hope. A hope of the coming of the Lord and the eventual eternal peace. What a wonderful time to live...when the fullness of the gospel is being preached to all the world. The gospel brings that peace that is so needed in today's society. I teach at the MTC and recently spent some time discussing with my missionaries the wonderful opportunity they have to teach the "good news" to a troubled world. They will have an exceedingly great opportunity to teach prepared souls the message of peace. The world condition will help "uncover" those individuals who are really hungering and thirsting for the truth.
3 ¶ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
When I read this my first impulse is to worry about the condition of the world today. At this point in my life I seem to stress too much about the economy, political situation, and disillusioning media presentations of the world status. I also worry about the progression of the world and what it might be for my kids in the future. Then I read the following and remember the eternal perspective I must have.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come
The signs of the time also give hope. A hope of the coming of the Lord and the eventual eternal peace. What a wonderful time to live...when the fullness of the gospel is being preached to all the world. The gospel brings that peace that is so needed in today's society. I teach at the MTC and recently spent some time discussing with my missionaries the wonderful opportunity they have to teach the "good news" to a troubled world. They will have an exceedingly great opportunity to teach prepared souls the message of peace. The world condition will help "uncover" those individuals who are really hungering and thirsting for the truth.
Marks of Divinity
I wanted to share this talk that I have recently read about the divinity of the Lord's mission. I have found it interesting to note, over the last couple of weeks, the comments given about this holiday season and the birth of Jesus Christ. It seems more and more common that the world is trying to justify the signs given at Christ's birth as just symbolic literary discriptions. It is interesting to think that his birth is one of the five marks of divinity spoken of by President Benson. The marvelous events of his humble birth testify of His divinely appointed mission.
Five marks of divinity
By President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994)
"From the time of His heaven-heralded birth there have crept into the Church heresies which are intended to dilute or undermine the pure doctrines of the gospel. These heresies are, by and large, sponsored by the philosophies of man and in many instances are advocated by so-called Christian scholars. The attempt is to make Christianity more palatable, more reasonable, and so they attempt to humanize Jesus and give natural explanations to those things which are divine. An example is Jesus’ birth. There are those who would seek to convince us that the divine birth of Christ as proclaimed in the New Testament was not a divine birth at all—nor was Mary, the virgin girl, a virgin at the time of Jesus’ conception. They would have you believe that Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, was His physical father, and that Jesus was therefore human in all His attributes and characteristics. They appear generous in their praise of Him when they say that He was a great moral philosopher, perhaps even the greatest. But the intent of their effort is to repudiate the divine sonship of Jesus, for on that doctrine rest all other claims of Christianity."
Five marks of divinity
By President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994)
"From the time of His heaven-heralded birth there have crept into the Church heresies which are intended to dilute or undermine the pure doctrines of the gospel. These heresies are, by and large, sponsored by the philosophies of man and in many instances are advocated by so-called Christian scholars. The attempt is to make Christianity more palatable, more reasonable, and so they attempt to humanize Jesus and give natural explanations to those things which are divine. An example is Jesus’ birth. There are those who would seek to convince us that the divine birth of Christ as proclaimed in the New Testament was not a divine birth at all—nor was Mary, the virgin girl, a virgin at the time of Jesus’ conception. They would have you believe that Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, was His physical father, and that Jesus was therefore human in all His attributes and characteristics. They appear generous in their praise of Him when they say that He was a great moral philosopher, perhaps even the greatest. But the intent of their effort is to repudiate the divine sonship of Jesus, for on that doctrine rest all other claims of Christianity."
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Be Prepared
Matthew 25
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
In the most recent conference Elder L. Tom Perry emphasized the importance of being like the 5 prepared virgins. Since we are in the last days this is increasingly important. We can see the times of our signs everyday and the signs of the end. It is important that we remember to be prepared as no man knows the time of the Lord's coming.
In the most recent conference Elder L. Tom Perry emphasized the importance of being like the 5 prepared virgins. Since we are in the last days this is increasingly important. We can see the times of our signs everyday and the signs of the end. It is important that we remember to be prepared as no man knows the time of the Lord's coming.
More Abundant LIfe
John 10:10 - The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Jesus Christ came that we could have life. He came so that we could live this life and be alive spiritually but also so that we could live again. While some may argue that living by Christ's teachings may cause life to be restricted, this is not the case. As Christ taught, as we live by his teachings we will not lose any opportunities but rather our lives will be more abundant.
Jesus Christ came that we could have life. He came so that we could live this life and be alive spiritually but also so that we could live again. While some may argue that living by Christ's teachings may cause life to be restricted, this is not the case. As Christ taught, as we live by his teachings we will not lose any opportunities but rather our lives will be more abundant.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tipping Point
John 18:6, "As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, the went backward, and fell to the ground."
Every time I have read this account, I have wondered why the men who had come to arrest Jesus were astonished and afraid, and therefore fell to the ground. I tried to compare it to other accounts where men fell to the ground such as Alma the Younger, and Lamoni, and the jailer. I was doing a lot of pondering on the subject and came up with this:
Sometimes the wicked desires that we seek do not lead us to where we originally wanted to go. In the process of seeking those desires there comes a moment where the Lord gives us the opportunity to turn back, one last chance so to speak. It is that pivatol moment when both the Lord and Satan work extra hard on us.
Let me explain. In this account with those who were seeking to arrest Jesus, it was a wicked desire. When they finally reached Christ in the olive grove and He named himself to them, they suddenly realized the magnitude of what they were doing. "It hit them", so to speak, that they were finally at that point. Everything they had worked for up until then had been to arrest Jesus and now they were finally there. I think that, in combination with Christ's boldness led them to be afraid and fall to the Earth. In that moment where they were fallen to the Earth, they had the choice to turn back or to go forward and arrest Jesus. I imagine the thoughts that were going through their heads were something akin to a wrestling within themselve whether they truly believed that Christ was not the Messiah and therefore they were justified in arresting Him. Or maybe some were recalling all the stories and miracles that were done by Christ and thinking that even though they had come to arrest him, that now was the time to stop. I call this a "tipping point".
Let me share a particularly poignant example from my own life. I had a desire in my life to be skinny. I worked extra hard to pursue this desire through exercise, healthy eating, and proper sleep. However, it soon turned into an obsession where my appearrance was all I thought about and I ate less and less and exercised more and more. I was diagnosed with anorexia but that didn't stop me. One night I literally fell to the Earth with fatigue; I was very sick, close to death. As I lay on the floor, I realized that I had a choice to make: to live or die. It was in power to choose. I can testify in those few moments when I tried to decide which I wanted more, I have never felt more torn apart. I literally felt Satan and Heavenly Father fighting for me, for my soul. I was at a tipping point, a crossroads. Satan tried to convince me I was too far gone. Heavenly Father tried to convince me that I was worth saving and that I had to rely on Him or I would be lost. I testify that Heavenly Father was there that day, and gave me that one last "tipping point experience" before I was condemned myself to wickedness.
Although some people feel like they are too far gone or too far lost to turn back and choose a more righteous path, I testify that they are not, and that the Lord will always give them a "tipping point" experience, small or large, that will allow them to choose which side they are on.
President Uchtdorf said this of it being too late to turn back,
"Satan, "the father of all lies" (2 Nephi 2:18), "the father of contention" (3 Nephi 11:29), "the author of all sin" (Helaman 6:30), and the "enemy unto God" (Moroni 7:12), uses the forces of evil to convince us that this concept applies whenever we have sinned. The scriptures call him the "accuser" because he wants us to feel that we are beyond forgiveness (see Revelation 12:10). Satan wants us to think that when we have sinned we have gone past a "point of no return"—that it is too late to change our course. In our beautiful but also troubled world, it is a sad reality that this attitude is the source of great sorrow, grief, and distress to families, marriages, and individual lives.
Satan tries to counterfeit the work of God, and by doing this he may deceive many. To make us lose hope, feel miserable like himself, and believe that we are beyond forgiveness, Satan might even misuse words from the scriptures that emphasize the justice of God, in order to imply that there is no mercy.
My dear brothers and sisters, my dear young friends, when the captain of a long-range jet passes the point of safe return, and the headwinds are too strong or the cruising altitudes too low, he might be forced to divert to an airport other than his planned destination. This is not so in our journey through life back to our heavenly home. Wherever you find yourselves on this journey through life, whatever trials you may face, there is always a point of safe return; there is always hope. You are the captain of your life, and God has prepared a plan to bring you safely back to Him, to your divine destination.
The gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ provides us at all times and at all places with the blessings of repentance and forgiveness. Because of this gift, the opportunity to make a safe return from the disastrous course of sin is available to all of us.
For this I give thanks to our Heavenly Father, and of this I bear testimony with all my heart and soul in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
Simple Statement of Principle: There are tipping points in almost every sin and trial when we feel too far. It is at those times that the Lord will try His hardest to help us turn back.
Breanna Plooster
Every time I have read this account, I have wondered why the men who had come to arrest Jesus were astonished and afraid, and therefore fell to the ground. I tried to compare it to other accounts where men fell to the ground such as Alma the Younger, and Lamoni, and the jailer. I was doing a lot of pondering on the subject and came up with this:
Sometimes the wicked desires that we seek do not lead us to where we originally wanted to go. In the process of seeking those desires there comes a moment where the Lord gives us the opportunity to turn back, one last chance so to speak. It is that pivatol moment when both the Lord and Satan work extra hard on us.
Let me explain. In this account with those who were seeking to arrest Jesus, it was a wicked desire. When they finally reached Christ in the olive grove and He named himself to them, they suddenly realized the magnitude of what they were doing. "It hit them", so to speak, that they were finally at that point. Everything they had worked for up until then had been to arrest Jesus and now they were finally there. I think that, in combination with Christ's boldness led them to be afraid and fall to the Earth. In that moment where they were fallen to the Earth, they had the choice to turn back or to go forward and arrest Jesus. I imagine the thoughts that were going through their heads were something akin to a wrestling within themselve whether they truly believed that Christ was not the Messiah and therefore they were justified in arresting Him. Or maybe some were recalling all the stories and miracles that were done by Christ and thinking that even though they had come to arrest him, that now was the time to stop. I call this a "tipping point".
Let me share a particularly poignant example from my own life. I had a desire in my life to be skinny. I worked extra hard to pursue this desire through exercise, healthy eating, and proper sleep. However, it soon turned into an obsession where my appearrance was all I thought about and I ate less and less and exercised more and more. I was diagnosed with anorexia but that didn't stop me. One night I literally fell to the Earth with fatigue; I was very sick, close to death. As I lay on the floor, I realized that I had a choice to make: to live or die. It was in power to choose. I can testify in those few moments when I tried to decide which I wanted more, I have never felt more torn apart. I literally felt Satan and Heavenly Father fighting for me, for my soul. I was at a tipping point, a crossroads. Satan tried to convince me I was too far gone. Heavenly Father tried to convince me that I was worth saving and that I had to rely on Him or I would be lost. I testify that Heavenly Father was there that day, and gave me that one last "tipping point experience" before I was condemned myself to wickedness.
Although some people feel like they are too far gone or too far lost to turn back and choose a more righteous path, I testify that they are not, and that the Lord will always give them a "tipping point" experience, small or large, that will allow them to choose which side they are on.
President Uchtdorf said this of it being too late to turn back,
"Satan, "the father of all lies" (2 Nephi 2:18), "the father of contention" (3 Nephi 11:29), "the author of all sin" (Helaman 6:30), and the "enemy unto God" (Moroni 7:12), uses the forces of evil to convince us that this concept applies whenever we have sinned. The scriptures call him the "accuser" because he wants us to feel that we are beyond forgiveness (see Revelation 12:10). Satan wants us to think that when we have sinned we have gone past a "point of no return"—that it is too late to change our course. In our beautiful but also troubled world, it is a sad reality that this attitude is the source of great sorrow, grief, and distress to families, marriages, and individual lives.
Satan tries to counterfeit the work of God, and by doing this he may deceive many. To make us lose hope, feel miserable like himself, and believe that we are beyond forgiveness, Satan might even misuse words from the scriptures that emphasize the justice of God, in order to imply that there is no mercy.
My dear brothers and sisters, my dear young friends, when the captain of a long-range jet passes the point of safe return, and the headwinds are too strong or the cruising altitudes too low, he might be forced to divert to an airport other than his planned destination. This is not so in our journey through life back to our heavenly home. Wherever you find yourselves on this journey through life, whatever trials you may face, there is always a point of safe return; there is always hope. You are the captain of your life, and God has prepared a plan to bring you safely back to Him, to your divine destination.
The gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ provides us at all times and at all places with the blessings of repentance and forgiveness. Because of this gift, the opportunity to make a safe return from the disastrous course of sin is available to all of us.
For this I give thanks to our Heavenly Father, and of this I bear testimony with all my heart and soul in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
Simple Statement of Principle: There are tipping points in almost every sin and trial when we feel too far. It is at those times that the Lord will try His hardest to help us turn back.
Breanna Plooster
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thankful for Christ
I couldn't let the Thanksgiving season pass without expressing my gratitude for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Reading about his last hours this past week, I could not help but be overcome by the love He had for his apostles, for the Jews, and for the world. I feel an ever-strengthening testimony that He is the Son of God and that he voluntarily suffered so much because He truly loved us. I think about the small sacrifices I make for my family and for my husband and I sometimes I grumble and groan about silly little things. I know that one of the reasons the Savior lived on this Earth was because we needed an example to follow, someone to look to for direction in everything. I love calling upon Him to be my example because somehow, someway, I find strength and an iron will that I did not posess before. I love Him and someday I want to look into His eyes and tell Him "Thank you for loving me, for never giving up on me, and for buoying me up when I was drowning."
So the simple statement of prinicple is, "Jesus Christ is our example in all things. Look to Him and we will find unknown strength to endure and have joy in this life."
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Breanna Plooster
So the simple statement of prinicple is, "Jesus Christ is our example in all things. Look to Him and we will find unknown strength to endure and have joy in this life."
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Breanna Plooster
Monday, December 1, 2008
A More Determined Discipleship
Over the Thanksgiving break I had the opportunity to reflect on the blessings of having a latter- day living prophet in who we can find so much guidance. I found this article and thought it perfect regarding the recent proposition 8 ordeal and wanted to share it.
A More Determined Discipleship
By Elder Neal A. MaxwellAn address delivered at Brigham Young University, 10 October 1978
"Discipleship includes good citizenship. In this connection, if you are a careful student of the statements of the modern prophets, you will have noticed that with rare exceptions—especially when the First Presidency has spoken out—the concerns expressed have been over moral issues, not issues between political parties. The declarations are about principles, not people; and causes, not candidates. On occasions, at other levels in the Church, a few have not been so discreet, so wise, or so inspired.
Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. (See 1 Kgs. 18:21.)
President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had “never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1941, p. 123). This is a hard doctrine, but it is a particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ!
We are now entering a time of incredible ironies. Let us cite but one of these ironies which is yet in its subtle stages: We will see a maximum, if indirect, effort made to establish irreligion as the state religion. It is actually a new form of paganism which uses the carefully preserved and cultivated freedoms of western civilization to shrink freedom, even as it rejects the value essence of our rich Judeo-Christian heritage."
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