Spiritual Renewal

2 Corinthians 4:16
...but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Simple statement of principle: The gospel of Jesus Christ involves constant re-commitment and constant renewal of our covenants with the Lord.

This weekend I had a really different experience: My husband and I went to the temple and did an endowment session, and instead of having a really peaceful experience, I came out of the temple with lots of questions and feeling very puzzled. Although I felt a little disappointed that I didn't have the peaceful experience that I usually do, when I was studying my scriptures I read this verse and it comforted me. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not one of complacency. We should be spiritually renewed day by day and recommit ourselves the Lord. That spiritual renewal involves doubt, involves questioning, involves studying out gospel principles in our mind in order to develop a stronger testimony of them. The restoration of the gospel came from a question: Joseph Smith didn't know which church to join, so he asked God. I know that the times in my life that my testimony has grown the most has been when I take the time to question, when I study my doubts and recommit myself to the Lord. That is when my inward self is renewed.

Concerning enduring to the end, L. Tom Perry said, "Enduring to the end requires faithfulness to the end, as in the case of Paul, who told Timothy, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Obviously, this is not an easy task. It is intended to be difficult, challenging, and, ultimately, refining as we prepare to return to live with our Father in Heaven and receive eternal blessings."

I know that spiritual renewal is difficult, but I know that it is worth it. I have a testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ and of a loving Heavenly Father who wants me to live the straight and narrow life so that I can return and live with Him.