Month: April 2020

Daily Answers: Strength of the Lord

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During this time of worldwide pandemic, I don’t know who to believe or who to rely on for facts. Should I be more cautious or less? Is this virus going to kill me if I leave the house, or should I be interact with people to strengthen my immunity. I am tired of the restrictions, yet I’m enjoying the time at home and with my family.

I’ve also enjoyed church at home with the sacrament administered by my son and husband. I wish my friend could have that opportunity. With some restrictions being lifted, I wondered if it was time to take the sacrament to her home. That’s the question I pondered as I read Mosiah 9 today. King Zeniff and his people are in bondage to the Lamanites. When Zeniff and his people fought the Lamanites “in the strength of the Lord,” they were victorious (Mosiah 9:17). I realized that I shouldn’t try to figure out a way around the restrictions. I needed to be obedient to what the Lord has asked us to do at this time. The direction from our church leaders is “Administering the Sacrament: Currently, government directives or local regulations restrict this practice in many nations and cities. Until further notice, in these places, priesthood holders should not enter homes of Church members to whom they are not related to administer the sacrament. During this time, members can be blessed by studying the sacrament prayers and recommitting to live the covenants members have made and praying for the day they will receive it in person, properly administered by the priesthood” (Responding to COVID-19: Answers to Questions).

I’m grateful that during this confusing time, President Russell M. Nelson and the leaders of our church are receiving direction from God. Their direction and love helps me to be patient and rely on the strength of the Lord.

Daily Answer: Prophets, Seers, Revelators in our day

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In my scripture study today I was prompted to learn more about prophesies of Jesus Christ. In Mosiah 8, Ammon and king Limhi discuss prophets, seers, and revelators. Ammon said, “a seer is a revelator and a prophet also…a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known. Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings” (Mosiah 8:16-18). I had written in a reference next to Mosiah 8:18 of Mosiah 13:33 which explains the role of a prophet, “For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began–have they not spoken more or less concerning these things? Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth? Yea, and have they not said also that he should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, and that he, himself, should be oppressed and afflicted?” (Mosiah 13:33-35).

We live in a time where we are blessed to have prophets, seers, and revelators who testify of Jesus Christ, reveal the mind and will of the Lord, who see the past and things to come, and are a great benefit to their fellow beings. In General Conference we sustain the President of the Church, the First Presidency, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.

In this past General Conference, April 4-5, 2020, our prophet and President of the Church, Russell M. Nelson, presented a proclamation to the world in which our current prophets, seers, and revelators testified of Jesus Christ, revealed the Lord’s will for his people now and in the future as we prepare for the Second Coming of Christ, “With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ).

I was grateful in my scripture study today to be reminded that prophesies of Jesus Christ are not just something of the past. I have seen and witnessed during this pandemic the miracles of having current prophets, revelators, and seers. The implementation of “Come Follow Me” in our homes prior to the pandemic, allowed us to be successful in having church in our homes. The change of policy in not having to wait a year after a civil marriage for a temple sealing will directly bless our family as the temples are closed for now and my son and his wife were married civilly. As I’ve responded to President Nelson’s plea to “do whatever it takes to increase [my] spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation,” I’ve experienced the blessings promised by President Nelson of “additional power to deal with temptation, struggles, and weakness…miracles in…marriage, family relationships, and daily work” (Hear Him, Russell M. Nelson, April 2020 General Conference).

Daily Answers: Apply scripture story to my life

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I knew my scripture study for today would be Mosiah 7 which is the story of the people of Limhi being in bondage to the Lamanites. Therefore I wasn’t surprised when the question that came to my mind and heart was, “What bondage am I in?” This is a great question, but I didn’t want to share publicly the answer I would receive. By the end of reading Mosiah 7 and taking notes, I decided I didn’t need to share specifics about my personal bondage. I could share the parallels between this scripture story and my life.

Before my scripture study this morning, I finished listening to a podcast, ConneXions by Jodi Hildebrandt Episode 115: Enabling (Controlling) vs. Surrender. I realized that I am trying to control/enable my children. Then as I read Mosiah 7 I could see the gospel basis for the episode I’d just finished. King Limhi tells his people, “lift up your heads and be comforted…we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies…yet I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made” (Mosiah 7:18). The people of king Limhi were in bondage because of their own iniquities and abominations. They were being controlled by the king of the Lamanites. When I try to control or enable my children and not allow them the consequences of their actions, I am in bondage and so is he. When I allow self doubt to control me, I am in bondage. Jodi Hildebrandt says when I feel pain I need to ask myself, “What is causing me pain or discomfort? Who is responsible for the pain or discomfort? Is it me?” Then she says, “You stop and you be thoughtful and before you do anything, make sure you are centered in truth.” The truth for king Limhi’s people was that their bondage was a result of their iniquity. They took responsibility, turned to God and repented. But that didn’t make the problem go away. I love the phrase, “I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made” (Mosiah 7:18). Getting out of bondage is hard work, but we have to put our trust in the Lord as king Limhi reminded his people. The Lord does not enable us in our transgression. King Limhi taught, “For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them” (Mosiah 7:29). The Lord lets us experience the consequences of our actions, but He is there when we are ready to repent. The answer is, “But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage” (Mosiah 7:33).

With my children and myself, I need to put my trust in the Lord, do the hard work or effectual struggle, and the Lord “according to his own will and pleasure, [will] deliver [me] out of bondage” (Mosiah 7:33).

I appreciate that for today I was able to see how a scripture story I’ve read and heard hundreds of times contains the truths of psychology and behavioral science and applies to my life.

Daily Answers: The Lord knows my concerns

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The question that came into my mind today was, “What can I understand more about baptism?” Baptism is one of those topics that I struggle to understand. I’ve had several meaningful experiences that have touched my heart and soul and strengthened my testimony, but I have a desire to know and understand more. However I knew that I was going to read selected verses in Mosiah 4-6 as suggested in the Come Follow Me lesson, and I didn’t think baptism was mentioned in any of those chapters.

In Mosiah 4:11 I read “received a remission of your sins” and “humble yourselves.” This could be a reference to baptism because we receive a remission of our sins when we repent and are baptized and we also show our humility. Then I noticed a suggested talk, “Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins” by Elder David A. Bednar. As I listened to the talk I knew why I’d been prompted to ask about baptism. I love to receive personal revelation. I know that the Holy Ghost teaches me, prompts me, and comforts me. I don’t struggle with the idea of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Elder Bednar taught this truth from the prophet Joseph Smith, “Baptism is a holy ordinance preparatory to the reception of the Holy Ghost; it is the channel by which the Holy Ghost will be administered.” This was an “Ah ha!” moment for me. One I knew intellectually before, but which spoke to my spirit today. I wouldn’t have the gift of the Holy Ghost if I hadn’t had the faith to be baptized.

I learned more about baptism today. I also learned that the Savior knows me and my concerns.

Daily Answers: Is the plan of happiness always happy?

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Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe we are here on earth because of a plan of our Heavenly Father’s called the Plan of Salvation, the Plan of Redemption, and the Plan of Happiness. We lived as Spirits with our Heavenly Father before this life. We chose to follow our Heavenly Father’s plan to come to earth, receive a body, and make choices. Because we would sin and no unclean thing can live in the presence of our Heavenly Father, our older brother, Jesus Christ, offered himself as a sacrifice to meet the demands of justice. Jesus’s atonement allows all those who have lived on earth to be resurrected and all those who follow the doctrine of Christ to live with our Heavenly Father after this life. The doctrine of Christ is to have faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end (2 Nephi 31). To endure to the end is to keep the commandments and participate in the ordinances and covenants of exaltation. After the ordinance of baptism we participate in the ordinance of the sacrament weekly if possible. Other ordinances take place in temples. In the temple we covenant to obey, to sacrifice, and to consecrate ourselves to our Heavenly Father. We can also receive the sealing ordinance where a man and woman covenant with each other and God and are promised the blessings of an eternal family.

During this life we experience trials. Those can be a result of our own choices, the choices of another, and living in a mortal body on an imperfect world. When we have trials we want to understand why. Some mistakenly believe that our trials now are a result of choices we made in the life before this or because God is testing us to see if we will endure.

For my scripture study today, my question was about how to help a friend of mine who is experiencing trials. She is having a hard time finding happiness in the Plan of Happiness. I read the newly introduced proclamation, “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World.” I learned that “As a companion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today, as well as in days of old.” What does “a divine plan for our lives” mean? Does a loving Father in Heaven have a plan specifically designed for me or my friend that includes trials, challenges, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles? If so, then how? Why? Then I read, “[Jesus Christ] invites all of us to come unto Him and His Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, the ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy.” I don’t know if there is a set plan for each of us, but I don’t believe God is throwing obstacles in our path to see if we will remain faithful. I think that this mortal life is tough, and the Plan of Happiness will help us endure. That plan is to come unto Christ, receive the Holy Ghost, participate in the ordinances of salvation, and gain enduring joy. That is what Christ offers us. I do believe that God knows each of us personally and wants to help us progress in the plan. The proclamation also states, “God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” The way to know how we fit into the plan is to seek for personal revelation through daily scripture study and prayer and to act in faith. In a recent broadcast from “An Evening with a General Authority 2020” with Elder Bednar, he spoke of living in revelation. By doing good things daily whether we recognize them as revelation or not, we are following God’s plan for us and helping in the preparation for the Second Coming of Christ.

While pondering my desire for my friend to be happy in this life, I thought of some resources I could share with her that have helped me. Also through my daily question and scripture study, I learned that there is hope and joy in the Plan of Happiness. Our loving Heavenly Father is continually giving us instructions on how to partake of that plan through current prophets and apostles, scripture, prayer, and personal revelation.

Daily Answers: Gratitude

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There are a lot of good, even great ideas for how to be better and do better. We hear them from friends and family, at church, and on social media. I can get overwhelmed with all the suggestions. Today in my scripture study I received an answer that I’ve heard from others many times before, but because I received this revelation after asking God in prayer, I knew this answer was from God for me.

My question today was, “What do I need to repent of?” I read “Hear Him” by our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. He said, “It has never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you than right now. In the Godhead, the Holy Ghost is the messenger. He will bring thoughts to your mind which the Father and Son want you to receive. He is the Comforter. He will bring a feeling of peace to your heart. He testifies of truth and will confirm what is true as you hear and read the word of the Lord.” The Spirit speaks to me as an idea or thought and a feeling which merge with my soul in a deeper change of heart than a suggestion heard from someone else. As I read the promises President Nelson bestowed such as “miracles in…marriage, family relationships, and daily work,” I was reminded of a couple instances the day before when I paused before my reaction to a child and listened for a prompting and acted. I had the thought, “Be grateful.” That was my answer. I need to recognize the personal revelation I receive and express gratitude to God in prayer.

Instead of another item on my “to do” list, as I am grateful, I show my love to God and recognize that He knows me personally and knows what I need to hear and do right now.

Daily Answers: Improving my marriage

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For years I felt like my husband put in more effort in our marriage than I did. I could tell you lots of excuses like I was busy raising the children, or needed to keep the house clean, or do my church service. I prayed often about what to do, but only felt like I should try harder and I didn’t know how to do that. About a year-and-a-half ago I received the revelation to record daily what I appreciated about my husband. I’ve done that and slowly our relationship has grown. Today in my morning scripture study, I was given a better understanding of how that happened.

My question for today was, “How can I improve my marriage?” Before my scripture study, I ask in prayer what my question should be and that was the first one that settled into my mind. I questioned my question because I feel like our marriage is strong right now. Here are the phrases I noticed clearly from Mosiah 4:1-12: “receive forgiveness, remission of sins, his goodness, his matchless power, his wisdom, his patience, his long-suffering, put trust in the Lord, receiveth salvation, see that ye do them, grow in the knowledge of what is just and true.” What I learned was that when I prayed to improve my marriage and was ready to repent, I received guidance. I am still trying to understand the process of repent, and I’m coming to understand that repentance doesn’t mean never committing the sin again. It means turning to the Lord. I didn’t understand all that needed to happen in my marriage, but the Lord did. He has “matchless power, wisdom, patience, long-suffering.” He knew that by noticing and appreciating my husband, my heart would be softened. It wasn’t my husband that needed to change. It was me.

I am grateful that when I was ready to repent, the Lord showed me a simple step that had miraculous results.

Daily Answers: Ministering to Penny

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I am assigned to minister to Penny. I had the privilege of also ministering to her mother, Ruth, until her death in March. Ruth was 99 years old. Penny has been living with her mother and taking care of her for many years. Visiting with Ruth and Penny in their home was like experiencing a piece of heaven. Time seemed slower and there was peace and love there. Penny is now getting the house ready to sell and will move to Washington to be with her daughter.

My scripture study question for today was, “What can I do for Penny?” With the COVID-19 restrictions, I can’t help her pack and clean, and I can’t even visit with her in person. I read in Mosiah 6 about king Benjamin putting his people under covenant, the people returning to their homes, and king Benjamin conferring the kingdom on his son Mosiah after having served his people faithfully. I have covenanted to serve and thus minister to Penny. As I read that king Benjamin’s people “returned every one, according to their families, to their own houses,” I was given peace about Penny’s decision to leave Idaho and return to her family in Washington. And I saw a parallel between king Benjamin’s service to his people and Penny’s service to her mom. Penny suffers from her own medical conditions, but she was pleasant and positive to be around. Penny served me and others by remembering details of our lives, asking questions, and being sincerely interested. While Ruth was on hospice, there were visits from nurses, shower aids, doctors, and a house cleaner. Towards the end, there were more people caring for Ruth. All of these people felt loved and valued by Penny and Ruth.

My scripture study answer today gave me a better understanding of ministering, service, and families. An idea did come to me to text Penny about some items I posted on Facebook that she is trying to get rid of or sell. I received knowledge and a prompting to act, although small.

Daily Answers: Torment or Joy

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I have a torment/joy relationship with writing. I need to write, but I dread it. I put it off choosing to do laundry, clean a bathroom, or feed the chickens instead and the whole time, the task of writing is hanging over me like the nagging to study for a test. I’ve thought about giving up writing, but then I’m anxious and not fulfilled. So once again I put it on my list of things to do and avoid it.

Now with more time at home and only one child to manage, I have more time to write. I decided yesterday that I would write while my son was doing his online school, but the thought of sitting down and pouring out my heart in my writing makes we want to clean a toilet or organize the pantry instead. So my question during my scripture study today was, “How do I pull down the barriers for my writing?” Phrases from my scripture study of Mosiah 5 that spoke to me were “mighty change in our hearts, infinite goodness of God, exceeding joy, keep the commandments, bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment (that’s what I do every time I have to write), heart changed through faith on his name, take upon you the name of Christ, always abounding in good works, mercy.”

The answer I received was that I need to ask God to soften my heart, that I need to start by writing this experience, that I’m meant to have joy, and God wants me to be happy. I can do that by submitting my will to his and asking for his help. I also received an inspiration for my character, Anice. She sacrifices for her family while trying to keep the secret of shifting from human to animal. She has to embrace her family’s ability or “take upon her their name.”

In writing out the answers I received this morning, my heart has been softened, and I’m filled with gratitude for my Savior. Now I need to go and do. Write, write, write!

Daily Answers: Wisdom

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Over the past almost two years I’ve developed a daily habit for receiving revelation through my scripture study. I begin my study with asking a question in prayer. Sometimes I already have a question, but most days I ask my Heavenly Father in prayer what my question should be. Then I read the scriptures watching for an answer to my question and write down the answers. I receive revelation in other ways as well. The day before in prayer, the thought came to me to do a “Daily Answers” blog where I share some of the revelation I’ve received. I was hesitant to follow this revelation because many of my answers are very personal and I don’t want to appear boastful. This morning my question was, “What should I do for a ‘Daily Answers’ blog?” The beauty of pondering a question while studying the scriptures is that even scriptures I’ve read many times take on new and clearer meaning.

I read Mosiah 4 today and here’s the answers I received in connection to my question, the passages that touched my heart. “Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend” (Mosiah 4:9). “…humble yourselves…calling on the name of the Lord daily” (Mosiah 4:11). “…ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true” (Mosiah 4:12). “But ye will teach [your children] to walk in the ways of truth and soberness…” (Mosiah 4:15). “…impart of the substance that ye have one to another…” (Mosiah 4:21). “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order…” (Mosiah 4:27). How do I know what to write in a daily answers blog, how to parent my children, how to receive salvation, how to impart of my substance in wisdom and order? I don’t. But God does. The answer is to “believe in God. Believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heave and in earth” (Mosiah 4:9). Do I really believe in God? Believe that he created ne, that he created all things? That he has “all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth?” (Mosiah 4:9). I do. Because as I’ve repented, humbled myself, asked in sincerity of heart that he would forgive me, and called on the name of the Lord daily, I have grown in the knowledge of the glory of him who created me (Mosiah 4:9-12). I’ve grown in that knowledge by the answers he’s given me specific to my situation.

This entire chapter was a testimony, an answer to me, that I do receive answers daily and that I have something to share.

Another beautiful part of this process is that most of the time I don’t know what I’ll be reading for that day. I ask the question first, then I open to the Come Follow Me lesson or a conference talk or where I’m directed and I always receive an answer, a message of personal revelation that tells me that I am known and loved by my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.