Light and Truth in Social Media

Posted on by docena

My daughter came to me upset by a post she read on social media about Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s speech this week to the faculty of Brigham Young University. She has empathy for and wants to support those who are LGBTQ+ and this post criticized Elder Holland and emphasized parts of his speech which seemed to speak out against LGBTQ+ members and those who support them. I want to share with you what I’ve learned as I’ve pondered, prayed, and studied about this experience and how we can discern light and truth in social media.

Go to the source

My daughter and I listened to all of Elder Holland’s talk. I heard the parts of the speech that were used in the social media post, and I heard other parts that showed Elder Holland’s great love and empathy for those who are LGBTQ+. Elder Holland said, “Let me go no farther before declaring unequivocally my love and that of my Brethren for those who live with this same-sex challenge and so much complexity that goes with it. Too often the world has been unkind, in many instances crushingly cruel, to these our brothers and sisters. Like many of you, we have spent hours with them, and wept and prayed and wept again in an effort to offer love and hope while keeping the gospel strong and the obedience to commandments evident in every individual life” (The Second Half of the Second Century). Read the entire source and ponder the whole of the content.

Discern the intention of the post

One of my scripture study questions this week was, “How do I have clear thinking?” When I read posts that criticize the church and church leaders, my thoughts start racing and my head is full of confusion and darkness and I wonder if this church I’m a part of is the correct way to follow Jesus Christ. I don’t like that confusion, that darkness. “The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one,” (Doctrine & Covenants 93:36-37). Light dispels darkness. Light is from Jesus Christ. In the account of Amlici in Alma 2, we learn that, “[Amlici] being a very cunning man, yea, a wise man as to the wisdom of the world,” drew away many of the people after him and “it was his intent to destroy the church of God” (Alma 2:1-2, 4). Amlici used his skills and wisdom to create contention and confusion. Ask yourself with a post, is the intention to draw me closer to Jesus Christ and my neighbors or to draw me away from Jesus Christ and my neighbors? Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke at Education Week about conflict and contention. He said, “Conflict is inevitable. Contention is a choice. Contention is one way people choose to respond to conflict…we can choose a better way. … Let us emulate the gentle Christ. And we do that through learning to love God and reaching out to bless others,” (Five Messages That All of God’s Children Need to Hear).

Connect with individuals

Instead of engaging on social media and getting worked up about posts and injustices, connect with people in real life. Talk. Discuss ideas. Listen. Ask if you are being supportive in the way that person needs. You can do the most good in the lives of others as you interact directly.

Create uplifting posts

Elder David A. Bednar has encouraged us to “sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth, messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy, and literally to sweep the earth as with a flood,” (Apostle Offers Counsel About Social Media). Use Elder Bednar’s tips to create your own posts of light and truth and follow his suggestions in reverse to analyze the posts of others. Is the content trustworthy and constructive? Does the message uplift? Is the opinion overbearing?

Work to receive personal revelation

Personal revelation is the way to know if you are following Jesus Christ and if you are following leaders who follow Jesus Christ. When you have questions and you will, know that your loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ want to communicate with you. They want to show you how you can love and serve them and others. Learning how to and increasing your ability to receive revelation is work, but work that is necessary. Choose to do the work to receive revelation through studying the scriptures, asking questions in prayer, recording your answers, and acting on the revelation you receive.

Jesus Christ is the true light

Jesus Christ is “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (Doctrine & Covenants 93:2). Now more than ever with all the information we receive, we need to be able to discern between that which invites light and truth and that which invites contention and dissension. Then we need to choose light. We need to choose to follow Jesus Christ.

Seeing the Face of God

Posted on by docena
The First Vision, by Gary E. Smith

I have been studying Jesus Christ in the Topical Guide of the scriptures and am currently learning about Jesus Christ as the Redeemer. Since as mortals, we all sin, we cannot be in the presence of God. Through the Atonement, Jesus Christ paid the price/gave himself as a ransom/reconciled us to God/ redeemed us. I previously thought of this redemption as something that happens in the future when we are judged and then if we’ve repented and strived to keep the commandments, Jesus Christ’s redemption will make it possible for us to be in the presence of God and have eternal life. But in my recent scripture study, I’ve learned through the Spirit that Jesus Christ’s Atonement offers me redemption now. I can be in the presence of God now. I can see His face daily.

For Family Home Evening we read the Gospel Topics Essay about Joseph Smith’s First Vision Accounts and we watched the video, “Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision.” I love that Joseph Smith asked for forgiveness of his sins and wanted a closer relationship with God. He didn’t expect when he prayed aloud that he would be visited by God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They appeared to Joseph Smith and forgave him of his sins. He learned that he should not join any of the current churches and that Jesus Christ’s church would be restored through him. I used to long for the same experience. I thought that if Jesus Christ appeared to me, then I would have no doubts and I would have assurance of my acceptability before the Lord. Joseph Smith made mistakes after his vision, needed to repent, learned how to receive revelation, learned line upon line, was chastised by the Lord, repented again, received more revelation, and tried to understand the revelation he received. That is the same process for me. I do not receive revelation for the church, but as I receive revelation for me, my family, and my calling, I am seeing the face of God or in other words, communicating with him.

Recently I received personal revelation for myself about the COVID vaccine. I felt very resistant to getting the vaccine. I won’t go into all the reasons, but generally I felt like I was healthy and my immune system could handle the virus. I also don’t like being told what to do. I value my agency. I’d seen the post from President Russell M. Nelson in January when he received the vaccine, but didn’t feel like he was saying I had to get it. After a talk in Stake Conference from our Stake President, I felt like he was saying in order to follow the prophet I needed to get the vaccine. I read the January statement thoroughly, but still didn’t feel like the prophet was issuing a commandment to get the vaccine. I did feel like the statement encouraged each person to be responsible and figure out for themselves what was best. I decided to pray and ask God. I prayed thinking I would receive a prompting that I should get the vaccine and I thought I would be unhappy with that answer. That’s not what happened. The distinct thought that came into my mind was, “It’s up to you.” As soon as I had that spiritual impression, I decided to get the vaccine. I still don’t know why that answer helped me decide to get the vaccine. Maybe I needed to not feel like I was being forced or commanded.

Many are struggling with the most recent letter from The First Presidency with greater emphasis on getting the vaccine and wearing masks if physical distancing isn’t possible. I know that our Heavenly Father wants each of us to communicate with Him. He wants us to share our concerns, our sorrows, our fears. He wants to communicate with us. He wants us to see His face. This is how we do that. “Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:1).

Jesus Christ already redeemed us. He offered Himself for us. I believe that as each person does the work to receive personal revelation about the vaccine and any other concerns, what is more important than the answer they receive, is the process of coming to the Savior and seeing His face. And we can offer each other grace in this process.

Priesthood Power to Organize Young Women’s Camp

Posted on by docena

In January of this year, I was asked by the Stake Executive Secretary to meet with a member of the Stake Presidency. My husband and I speculated about what I would be asked to do. My husband knew that the stake calling I never wanted to do was to be the director of Stake Young Women’s Camp. I’ve organized several one day or overnight Scout camps for 11 year-olds, but I had little experience with young women and don’t like drama, crafts, or over-the-top productions. I’ve served in the young women organization two times for a short period and have been to camp as an adult only twice, once for the day and another time for one night and day. My husband told me I should never say I didn’t want to do something, because the Lord would give me a chance to grow in that capacity. My husband was right.

Today I want to share with you what I learned about my priesthood power in organizing YW’s camp. I was afraid and overwhelmed. Not only did I need to organize a Stake YW’s camp in a few months, but I had to consider COVID restrictions. When I was set apart to do my calling by a member of the Stake Presidency, he blessed me with my “burdens” and then he stopped and said, “I should say your opportunities.” When he set me apart to direct YW’s camp, he gave me priesthood authority for the young women and leaders who would plan and attend stake YW’s camp. I was able to access that priesthood authority and power as I followed the pattern of covenants.

I was first asked to present plans for camp with projected COVID restrictions. I read the current guidelines by the state of Idaho and realized that I did not have a task force to determine guidelines nor could I predict the future, but I knew the Lord could direct me. I sought revelation and during a discussion with my young adult daughter, came up with a solution that felt right. I submitted that solution and several others to the Stake Young Women’s Presidency and they were all rejected. Once I humbled myself and two assistant camp directors were called, we were able to counsel together and come up with a tentative plan. Soon after, the Stake Presidency issued recommendations for all group stake activities for the summer, and we proceeded with our plans. I had priesthood power to receive revelation for camp, that power was increased as I counseled with others asked to serve, and then I followed the guidelines of those with priesthood keys for our stake. This overwhelming task now became manageable. Countless times I felt that I did not know what I was doing. That I could not accomplish the organizing and executing of camp on my own. But I knew this was the Lord’s work.

This past week I studied Doctrine and Covenants 88 and listened to the “Follow Me” podcast with Hank Smith and John Bytheway. Their guest, Dr. Anthony Sweat, taught about the temple and the covenants we make there. Then during our Sunday School lesson and discussion today, I realized how the temple endowment gave me priesthood power for YW’s camp. In the temple endowment we make covenants which are sacred promises to God. Keeping those covenants such as the Law of Obedience, the Law of the Gospel, and the Law of Consecration gives us priesthood power which is the power God has given men and women to do His work on this earth. Even though I didn’t know how I could be the director of YW’s camp, I was obedient. As I was obedient, my heart was softened and I was blessed with revelation and other adults and young women to serve with me. I sacrificed a lot of time, I was continually humbled, repented, and gave of my talents, time, and resources to organize camp. In return, I received power to do God’s work with the young women and young women leaders in the stake. That power came in the form of revelation, strength beyond my own, increased friendships, the support and service of young women and young women leaders, and the privilege of being part of the great work of stake camp.

On the first day of camp when the first few wards arrived, I wanted to hide. All the planning, personal prayers, study, and councils were great in theory and on paper–much of which I’d printed from google drive documents to access at camp. How could I, one person, be expected to be in charge of over 250 young women and adults? Again, the Spirit reminded me, that it wasn’t all up to me. I had two great assistants, eight young women presidents, eight ward camp directors, five camp cooks, a nurse, stake leaders, adult leaders, youth camp leaders, and the power from the Lord. This wasn’t my work. This was His work.

On the last night of camp, I attended the testimony meeting for my ward. I witnessed the growth of testimony and friendships in the young women and leaders. There was no way one person could have made all that happen. But because I had accepted the calling, I was privileged to be a part of the power of God in the lives of the young women and adults there.

The theme of our Stake Young Women’s Camp was “Bloom” as inspired by the church’s youth theme for the year, “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days” (D&C 64:33-34). I was able to be part of His great work and able to witness the power of the priesthood, a power I have through my calling and my covenants.

A Light in Darkness

Posted on by docena

I like to make sense of my world and my actions and beliefs with cause and effect or if, then statements. If I pay my tithing, I will always have what I need financially. If I teach my children while they live at home through consistent Family Home Evening, family scripture study, family prayer, meals together, my example, and church attendance, then they will have solid testimonies. If I obey the commandments, I will be blessed which means I will be happy. In my immaturity, I thought I would not have struggles, that my children would not have struggles, that our lives would be happy and blessed at all times. Sure, I heard the testimonies of others of blessings through trials, but in my pride, I judged that they must not have been following all the commandments. As you probably already know and I’m being taught, my making sense of the world in this way was a false belief. Following Jesus Christ and keeping the commandments does not mean I will have no struggles or that I will be happy all the time. So what does it mean? Why follow Jesus Christ?

In our Relief Society class last Sunday we discussed “Infuriating Unfairness,” a talk by Elder Dale G. Renlund. Elder Renlund is an apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of his responsibilities is to testify of Jesus Christ to all the world. He spoke of several examples of intense struggle or unfairness including the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a man wrongly incarcerated, disease, abuse, and more. He said, “In unfair situations, one of our tasks is to trust that ‘all that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.'” He also said that we want to know how and when, but that hasn’t been revealed. As I tried to make sense of this in class, I read through my scripture study notes and found 1 Nephi 21:15-16, “For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” I will try to explain what the Spirit taught me, although words are not adequate to convey the light and understanding that came into my heart and mind, dispelling the darkness. The Atonement of Jesus Christ does make everything right, but not always in this life. The Savior knows the child born in Rwanda, the child born into an abusive home, the child born as a drug addict, the parents of those children. And He will make it right. Jesus Christ will be the judge and that child born in the abusive home will not be judged in the same way as I will be judged. The Atonement rights all the wrongs. Jesus Christ is the most loving of Gods. It’s not that he allows bad things to happen. It’s that His Atonement makes all the difference for all of us, for every circumstance. Each one of us is graven upon the palms of his hands.

Let’s go back to my earlier question. Why should I follow Jesus Christ? Why should I keep His commandments? If the Atonement of Jesus Christ rights all the wrongs, what does it matter what I do or what I choose? I don’t know all the answers to those questions, but what I do know is that because I studied my scriptures, because I attended church, because I repent, I received enlightenment during that Relief Society lesson. I received wisdom and peace. Jesus Christ has not left us alone to suffer. He sent us “another Comforter…even the Holy Spirit of promise” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:3). The Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost teaches us in our minds and hearts what the Savior wants us to know including increased understanding of Jesus Christ, “He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehend all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth. Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-7). I want greater wisdom. I want understanding. I want the light which shineth in darkness so that in my struggles, I can have joy even if I’m not always happy.

Last night as I drove home from a Relief Society activity, the sun was setting, a blazing ball of red which pierced the smoky haze. I am grateful for that light, that sun which penetrates my heart, fills me with warmth, light, and understanding as I continue to study, pray, keep the commandments, and receive personal revelation.

What I know

Posted on by docena

A phrase I’ve found myself using a lot this past year is “I don’t know.” How am I supposed to know if I have COVID or the flu? Why do some people have COVID-like symptoms and test negative for COVID? How can one person in the family test positive for COVID and none of the others develop symptoms? Or they do develop symptoms and then test negative for COVID? How can I help my child be successful in school when he is constantly distracted with YouTube while doing online school? Is it responsible/safe to get together with my family for the holidays? For special events? If I stay home now and isolate will that protect myself and others? Does a mask really help? Are my rights being taken away? When will I get to attend the temple again? When will this pandemic end? So many questions with no definitive answers.

What I do know is that although this year has been frustrating, isolating, scary, and uncertain, I have received many gifts from God. I want to focus this December on all the gifts I’ve received in 2020. I want to focus on what I know. Today during my personal scripture study, I was reminded that I know I have the gift of the Holy Ghost. I was baptized when I was eight years-old and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. My father, who has the priesthood, laid his hands on my head and gave me that gift. Since then I’ve worked on learning how the Holy Ghost speaks to me. I have not seen my Savior, but I’ve often had the warm, tingly sensation from the Holy Ghost witnessing of my Savior and of other truths. I’ve learned that the Holy Ghost gives me promptings or ideas to act on and that when I act on that idea, the results are simple but astonishing. So this past Sunday as I pondered what I can do this Christmas season to share the gospel and light the world, I had the impression to share my gifts from 2020, the things I know.

I know that I am loved by my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as they communicate to me through the Holy Ghost.

https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world-2020

Daily Answers: Peace and Patience

Posted on by docena

The Coronavirus pandemic has gone on a long time and affected many aspects of my life, all our lives. I thought that if I sacrificed by staying home and giving up things like family reunions and vacations and in person attendance at church, that soon I’d be able to do those things again. At this time, the week before Thanksgiving, the cases of the virus are increasing and government officials are asking us to make sacrifices again for the safety of ourselves and others. How much longer will this go on? How much more will I have to sacrifice? Next week my children are all planning to be home for Thanksgiving. I don’t want to give that up. Then a week later my son and daughter-in-law have scheduled a date to be sealed in the Portland Temple. They were supposed to be married and sealed in the Portland Temple in April, but ended up getting married in a civil ceremony in March as the virus restrictions began. I want so much for them to have this day in December, and I want to be there. My question recently during my scripture study was, “How do I have peace and patience with the Coronavirus, specifically with Thanksgiving and the sealing?” I read in Ether 6 about the Jaredites crossing the sea in their barges built tight like a dish. Their experiences gave me direction. The Jaredites commended themselves unto the Lord. When they were “encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters” (Ether 6:7). During this time when they were buried in the sea and the wind did not cease, the people “did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord” (Ether 6:9). “They did have light continually” (Ether 6:10). And after “they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water…they did land upon the shore of the promised land…and…they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them” (Ether 6:11-12). Three hundred and forty and four days! I haven’t been restricted that long yet, and as I look back, there have been so many tender mercies. I am crying unto the Lord that my children can come for Thanksgiving and that I can attend the sealing of my son and daughter-in-law.

The Lord knows me. He knows you. I’m grateful for the light He’s given me as I ask in prayer and through my daily scripture study. I’m also grateful that we have a prophet on the earth like the brother of Jared. Our prophet is President Russell M. Nelson. He is experiencing the trials of the pandemic along with us and also has a responsibility to guide the people of the earth. I’m looking forward to hearing from President Nelson what the Savior wants us to know at this time. I know President Nelson’s words will provide me with more light and peace.

Daily Answers: In patience ye may possess your souls.

Posted on by docena

I read Elder Scott D. Whiting’s talk, Becoming like Him, and decided to ask Heavenly Father which Christlike attribute I needed to work on developing. The answer surprised me. It was patience. I already knew there were two particular areas in which I’ve been patient for many years: having a novel published and gathering Israel. I didn’t understand how I needed more patience, and I wanted to learn from my study how patience is more than just waiting. I wanted to know what I need to be doing right now, every minute to make those things happen. And that is probably why I received the answer to work on patience.

I learned from Ether 1 that patience is trusting in the Lord’s plan. The brother of Jared “[cried] unto the Lord” and was told to gather his family. He took the first steps and the Lord told him, “I will go before thee” (Ether 1:39, 42). Patience is taking the small steps even while not knowing the whole plan and trusting in the Lord. In the Christlike attributes chapter of Preach My Gospel I learned that Christlike attributes like patience are gifts from God and that I can’t develop them without God’s help. “The invitation to follow Christ is an invitation to follow His example and to become like Him, which can only happen through the Atonement of Jesus Christ” (Preach My Gospel, Chapter 6). I can’t make patience happen for myself. I need the Savior’s atonement. That gives me hope. I love what Preach My Gospel explains about patience: “Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God’s will and accept His timing.” When I want things to happen right now and feel anxious and frustrated that the words in my writing don’t come easy or my neighbor isn’t able to have missionaries visit because of the Coronavirus, I need to ask for God’s help in having patience, in enduring the delay with hope. Even the sons of Mosiah, some of the best missionaries, needed to be patient in sharing the gospel. They were told at the beginning of their mission, “Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls” (Alma 17:10-11). When President Nelson asked us to gather Israel, I wanted to be a part of that work and I felt like it should progress quickly. After all, these are the last days. But I need to be patient in the timing of the Lord and the opening of temples. Examples from The Book of Mormon like the brother of Jared, the sons of Mosiah, and Alma teach us that being patient means working and being diligent. The sons of Mosiah didn’t sit around waiting for the Lamanites to come to them. Alma and his brethren in bondage to the Lamanites were strengthened as they were patient in the Lord’s timing of deliverance. “They did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord” (Mosiah 24:15).

I learned from Doctrine and Covenants 101:38 that the attribute of patience makes me one with myself and with God. “And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life” (D&C 101:38). “In patience ye may possess your souls.” Wow! That is beautiful. When I seek the Lord in my writing, my daily tasks, and gathering Israel, I am at one with my soul and will have eternal life, or life with God. That is definitely more than just waiting or being frustrated and anxious.

As I continue to study the Christlike attribute of patience, I will look for it in others and ask for the Lord to bless me with this gift. This initial study gives me hope. The Lord doesn’t expect immediate results, but when I submit to His will, I will possess my soul.

Daily Answers: On the Right Side of the Prophet

Posted on by docena

I was discussing with my young adult son some of the current issues of race, gender, and sexual orientation. He said he doesn’t want to be on the wrong side of history. In the history of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there was a time when black men of African descent were not ordained to the priesthood. In light of current racial equity awareness, it might seem that our church was on the wrong side of history. We need to be careful about presentism, judging the past with our current perceptions, and remember that the culture of racism has changed, not just by our church, but within many social constructs. For a greater understanding of Race and the Priesthood, read the essay published by the church.

We might ask, if the church was founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the teachings of Jesus Christ are true, aren’t they true at all times in history? When Jesus Christ lived on the earth, he taught that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). This is the highest law we can live. In ancient Israel the people were not ready to live the higher law so they were given the law of Moses by revelation to the prophet Moses through the god of the Old Testament who is Jesus Christ.

This week I read the account of the prophet Nephi in 3 Nephi from The Book of Mormon. This was shortly before Christ was born, and the people who believed in the prophesied signs of Christ’s birth were going to be put to death by the unbelievers if the signs didn’t happen by a designated day. Nephi sorrowed for the wickedness and was worried about the believers. “And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people” (3 Nephi 1:11). We have a prophet in our day, Russell M. Nelson. As I read about Nephi, I imagined President Nelson bowed down crying to God on our behalf. I know that President Nelson speaks to God, and I want to be a believer, one who looks to Christ and follows the prophet. I choose to be on the right side of the prophet.

Daily Answers: How can I not be fearful?

Posted on by docena

My favorite scripture is in the “Come Follow Me-Book of Mormon lesson” this week, Helaman 5:12. Helaman teaches his sons to remember that “it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation.” I am living with a lot of uncertainty right now as are most of us. I don’t know what school will be like in the fall. I wonder if Covid-19 is dangerous for me and my family. Other questions I have are: Do masks help? Are we being controlled by the government? What will happen with the elections? How do I discern truth in the media, podcasts, social protests? When will I be able to attend church in a building with the rest of my congregation? When will I be able to attend the temple? I was reminded in our family’s video chat lesson for “Come Follow Me” today that I don’t need to fear when my foundation is built on Jesus Christ. That foundation is built through the daily things I do such as reading scriptures and praying as a family, my personal scripture study and prayer, daily repentance, and acting on revelation. My daughter-in-law shared a metaphor using an experience we had together on our family reunion in Star Valley, Wyoming last week. We visited the world’s largest intermittent spring. The hike is on dusty trails at first and then surrounded on both sides by walls of rock. At times on the hike, the dust from the wind was so bad, we had to close our eyes and turn our backs. And it was a little scary when the wind blew and we were on the edge of the path. But the rocks around us were firm and steadfast, and the winds didn’t blow the entire time. Similarly, the trials and whirlwinds of life don’t blow all the time, but we need to have Jesus Christ as our sure foundation so “that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12).

I also love this video, “Spiritual Whirlwinds.” Look for the image behind the young man.

Daily Answers: By Small and Simple Things

Posted on by docena

As the pandemic and uncertainty continues, I feel restless and stuck. This week many of my scripture study questions have been about how to repent, how to improve, how to progress, how to become unstuck. The “Come Follow Me” reading for the week included the scripture, “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). As I’ve pondered this, I realize that I need to continue to do the small and simple things and recognize the benefits of small and simple routines. My daily scripture study has kept me anchored to my Savior. The consistent structure of family prayer and scripture study has built a foundation for my children who are grown and my child left at home. The Book of Mormon is a miracle created in countless small and simple acts from those who molded the plates, inscribed the words, passed them down, preserved, hid, translated, published, and shared. My progression is guided by repenting in small and simple ways. As I ask what I need to do to repent, to turn to Christ, to be humble, the answers are to appreciate what I have, appreciate others, recognize my blessings, speak kindly. I even asked one day this week, “What are the small and simple things I need to improve?” The answer was that my current daily scripture study and revelation are a great blessing to me and I need to continue.