We Must Have HOPE for the Next Life

The Plan of happiness- President Boyd K. Packer - April 2015 General Conference 

" Our spirits are damaged when we make mistakes and commit sins. But unlike the case of our mortal bodies,when the repentance process is complete, no scars remain because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The promise is: “Behold, he who has repented of his sins,the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more” (D&C 58:42).

When we speak of marriage and family life, there inevitably comes to mind, “What about the exceptions?”Some are born with limitations and cannot beget children. Some innocents have their marriage wrecked because of the infidelity of their spouse. Others do not marry and live in single worthiness.

For now I offer this comfort: God is our Father! All the love and generosity 

manifest in the ideal earthly father is magnified in Him who is our Father and our God beyond the capacity of the mortal mind to comprehend.His judgments are just; His mercy without limit; His power to compensate beyond any earthly comparison.“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable”   (1 Corinthians 15:19)."

The Witness - President Boyd K. Packer - Oct. 2014 General Conference 

"Those who do not marry or those who cannot have children are not excluded from the eternal blessings they seek but which, for now, remain beyond their reach. We do not always know how or when blessings will present themselves, but the promise of eternal increase will not be denied any faithful individual who makes and keeps sacred covenants.

Your secret yearnings and tearful pleadings will touch the heart of both the Father and the Son. You will be given a personal assurance from Them that your life will be full and that no blessing that is essential will be lost to you.

As a servant of the Lord, acting in the office to which I have been ordained, I give those in such circumstances a promise that there will be nothing essential to your salvation and exaltation that shall not in due time rest upon you. Arms now empty will be filled, and hearts now hurting from broken dreams and yearning will be healed."

Pulpit Commentary
Verse 19. - If in this life only we have hope in Christ. The word to which "in Christ" should be joined is uncertain; the order st the original is, "If in this life in Christ we have hoped only." The "only" seems therefore to qualify the whole sentence: "If we have merely hoped in Christ, and that only in this life." We are of all men most miserable; literally, we are more pitiable than all men. The remark only has an absolute bearing when Christians really are suffering from persecutions, as they did in St. Paul's day (2 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:12). But to some extent all Christians have to bear their cross, and if all that they give up and suffer is sacrificed to a delusion, they deserve most pity in one sense, because they have been most conspicuously befooled. In another sense they are still the happiest of men; for their delusion, judged by its fruits, is more blessed than the dreary blank which is the only alternative. 
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
If in this life only we have hope in Christ,.... The object of a believer's hope is not any creature, man, or angel; nor any creature enjoyment, as gold and silver; nor any creature righteousness, moral, legal, and civil; nor any external privilege, or profession of religion; but Christ alone as a surety, Saviour, and Redeemer; his person, blood, righteousness, sacrifice, and fulness: and what they hope for in him are, all grace, and the supplies of it; the forgiveness of their sins, the justification of their persons, eternal life and salvation; grace here, and glory hereafter; for all which they have great reason and encouragement to hope in him; but if their hope in him was only in this life, or whilst this life lasts; if they had not hope in death, that they should live again, and after death for the resurrection of their bodies; or if they hoped in Christ only for the things of this life, or as the Arabic version renders it, "if we from Christ, and by him, expect happiness in this world only"; if our hope in him is bounded with this life, and confined to the things of it, and does not reach to the things of another life, the things of eternity, the invisible glories of another world, to be enjoyed in soul and body; 
we are of all men the most miserable; which may have respect not only to the apostles, though eminently true of them, who had little of the comforts of this life, being continually exposed to hardships and persecution for the sake of Christ; were set forth as a spectacle to angels and men; were accounted the filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things; and suffered many indignities, and great reproach and affliction, and that for asserting the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead; but is also true of all others that hope in Christ, and believe in him; for these not only deny themselves the pleasures, honours, and profits of this world, but are exposed continually to the hatred, reproach, and persecution of it; they are chastised by God as other men are, that they may not be condemned with the world, and yet they must be condemned, if Christ is not risen; they are harassed and distressed by Satan, who follows them with his temptations and suggestions, which are so many fiery darts, which give them great pain and uneasiness, when others are unmolested by him; they groan under a body of sin they carry about with them, and desire and long to be unclothed, that they might be clothed upon with glory and immortality; and yet these very desires and earnest longings after a blessed eternity do but add to their misery, if there is no foundation for them, and they will at last be frustrated: these are the sad conclusions, and wretched absurdities that must follow, upon the denial of the resurrection of the dead, and of Christ. 
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
19. If our hopes in Christ were limited to this life only, we should be, of all men, most to be pitied; namely, because, while others live unmolested, we are exposed to every trial and persecution, and, after all, are doomed to bitter disappointment in our most cherished hope; for all our hope of salvation, even of the soul (not merely of the body), hangs on the resurrection of Christ, without which His death would be of no avail to us (Eph 1:19, 20; 1Pe 1:3). The heathen are "without hope" (Eph 2:12; 1Th 4:13). We should be even worse, for we should be also without present enjoyment (1Co 4:9)

Fitting the Bill- Peculiar People

1 Nephi 8:26-28 

 26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the

 river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

 27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had

 come at and were partaking of the fruit.

 28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

 These verses remind me of a few of my favorite scriptures. When I was sixteen years old, I moved from Utah to McKinney, Texas. I was one of three LDS girls at my high school when I moved to Texas. I often consider how much of a strength that these scriptures could have been to me as I struggled at that time of my youth. I was put down for my faith by some who could not even begin to explain what I believe. These individuals were those in the world, or " the great and spacious building " that were laughing at me as I was "partaking of the fruit ". 

Sadly, I didn't understand back then, that others thinking I was strange, and the act of  " pointing their fingers " at me, or putting me down for my opposing choices, was actually something that I should have been very proud of, and thankful for. 

When we are ridiculed for our faith in Jesus Christ's church, or when other's put us down for making good choices, we can and should, with firm hearts be thankful for the witness that it is....

 that we match the bill that Jesus Christ says that His people should be:

Titus 2:14

• New Testament

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a  peculiar  people, zealous of good works.  

Deuteronomy 14:2

• Old Testament

For thou art an holy  people  unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a  peculiar  people  unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. 

1 Peter 2:9

• New Testament

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a  peculiar   people ; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 

Exodus 19:5

• Old Testament

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a  peculiar  treasure unto me above all  people : for all the earth is mine: 

Acts 7:52

• New Testament

Which of the prophets have not your fathers  persecuted ? and they have slain them which 

shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and 

murderers: 

Matthew 5:10

• New Testament

Blessed are they which are  persecuted  for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom 

of heaven. 

Matthew 5:12

• New Testament

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so  persecuted 

 they the prophets which were before you. 

The scriptures are clear; We are supposed to be different  than those whom are in the

 world. I would pose the question that if one desired to fit in, or did not feel that they were peculiar, they might need to consider what they are not doing, that Jesus Christ would 

want them to do?

I continue to be thankful daily that I know that I am peculiar as I belong to Him,

 and as I am a member of His church on the earth. 

As evil progressively grows, those who desire to be righteous will stand out even more. 

The persecution will continue, and all the while, we can remember that we are pleasing

 to God as we are aware that being pointed out as usual, or being attacked, is exactly what

 He told us would happen as His people. We should not be surprised as we suffer in 

someway for our beliefs. 

I hope and pray for us all to never be ashamed of the great gift that we have been

 given in the gospel as that will cause us to slip away from Him. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 

God Are You There?

“God, are you intimately involved in my life?” Most members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that God hears and answers prayers. After all, the foundation of the church was laid as result of a young boy’s prayer. Joseph Smith’s heartfelt and faith filled prayer resulted in the personal visit of God, our Eternal Father and His son Jesus Christ.  I bear witness that God was intimately involved in Joseph Smith’s life as He tutored and taught him to become the mighty prophet of the Restoration. Furthermore, He has been intimately involved in my life as I have prayed for guidance and the ability to feel His hands bless me. Frequently people feel that God is not involved in their lives because He may not answer their prayers in the way they would like.

There are many factors that come into play when we seek Heavenly Father’s assistance: faith, the agency of man, the refining process, as well as God’s wisdom and eternal perspective, just to name a few of them. The scriptures give us examples of God’s involvement in His children’s lives.

            Often, after a demonstration of faith in Him, God sends help to His children. (Ether 12:6) Some examples are: Daniel’s delivery from lions, after he prayed three times daily, though the law prohibited it (Daniel 6:10), Job’s fortunes were restored, after he lost everything, yet he prayed for his friends (Job 42:10), Paul prayed with faith and people were healed. (Acts 28:8) Alma’s people prayed in their hearts, and their burdens became light. (Mosiah 24:12-15) There are a vast number of scripture accounts that witness to the truth of the statement that inspired Joseph Smith when he read, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering…” (James 1:6)

            Those who do not believe that God’s hears and answers prayers might say, “Why was Joseph Smith not allowed to get out of prison, if God answers prayers? Joseph Smith prayed in faith yet he was left in prison all those winter months.” Joseph Smith did receive an answer to his prayers. It may not have been the way that others wished or expected, but the Lord did give an answer as he stated, “ …if the very jaws of Hell shall gape open their mouth wide after thee, know thou my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” (D&C 122:7) God did not take away the agency of those whom imprisoned Joseph Smith. Though God could have changed the circumstances, we see God’s wisdom at work, as He chose to leave Joseph in the “refiner’s fire”.  It is clear that praying yields answers, but more needful is accepting God’s will because “Man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend “(Mosiah 4:9).  Having faith that God knows better than we do, brings peace to our lives.

Because evil is raging about the earth, many individuals lack the faith needed to see God’s hand working all around them. In his most recent conference address, the apostle Neil L. Anderson explains, “As we are spiritually awake and alert we see His hand across the world and we see His hand in our own personal lives.” (Thy Kingdom Come , April 2015 General Conference address)

 I experienced God’s hand in my life as I was praying for guidance about actions that I could make in my life to become a better servant of God? The answer I received was that I should begin writing a book about what my church believes. I did not have this impression once, but each time that I prayed.

I began to write and I shared my writings with both friends and extended family.  When my Catholic husband’s grandmother became very ill, I asked my Catholic in-laws to read her my book. On occasion, I received feedback from my father-in-law regarding what he had read. Only seven months after I began sharing my writings, my father-in-law suddenly died of a heart attack. .As a result of God providing promptings and instructions for me, I was blessed to share the gospel with my father-in-law in a way that I would not have otherwise done. In this way, I know that I showed him the highest degree of love that I could, while my time to show love was temporarily being ended.

            Lastly, one who faithfully asked God for wisdom, had man’s agency working against him, was refined and brought to death, has given an added witness that is found in the book of Doctrine and Covenants. In Joseph Smith’s written revelations, God states, “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is His wrath kindled, save those who confess not His hand in all things, and obey not His commandments. " (D&C 59:2)

Waiting For The Prodigal

I love what we learn from the prophet Lehi about how we should care for and treat those who will not partake of the fruit of the gospel with us. Nephi 8 says that Lehi showed tender feelings to these unbelieving sons. Following this he preached unto them and then he did what a member of the seventy recently told us we should do with our unbelieving loved ones....just as Jesus taught  in the story of the prodigal son....Elder Nielsen states in his talk " Waiting For The Prodigal" : "Through the parable, what does the Savior teach us about how to respond when a family member loses his or her way? The prodigal son informs his father that he wants his inheritance now. He wants to leave the safety of his home and family and seek after worldly pursuits (see Luke 15:12–13). Please note that in the Savior’s parable the father lovingly responds by giving the son his inheritance. Certainly the father must have done everything he could to convince the son to stay. However, once the adult son makes his choice, the wise father lets him go. The father then demonstrates sincere love, and he watches and he waits (see Luke 15:20)."  1 Nephi 8  "And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them. 38 And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them."  I hope that I can follow this example... I know that the Lord has never stopped loving me, although He has watched and waited...He is always so patient with me, and I desire to follow His example. I do not want to take the mercy and blessings of having His ways recorded in the scriptures for granted...I love Him so very much. I Love the gospel that He has given me...I desire to show Him how thankful that I am.

Being Tied Up By The World

In 1 Nephi 7 we see Nephi and his brothers go back to Jerusalem to get Ishmael's family. I am reminded of our own lives and how Nephi could have felt much like we do; just as we get over one hurdle, we have another hill to climb.  Also, the hurdles include individuals whom can make our goals more difficult, get us down, or just cause a distraction to our growth, as we get caught up in the emotions of it. Nephi did not let Laman, Lemuel and two of the daughters of Ishmael get home down. In fact, even when they tied him up in cords, he came off conquer because he prayed for help, with faith.

We may not experience being tied up with literal cords by those around us, but we could be experiencing being tied up in distracting, or unnecessary emotions that keep us from reaching our goals to be better servants to Him.

I am thankful for Nephi's example of prayer and faith, that he could burst the band's from which he was tied. 

The Lord did help Nephi get out of the cords, just as he can help us to not be distracted, down, or held back from moving forward with his help. 

I am also impressed with Nephi's continual love for these individuals that seem to weigh him down, and keep him from his work for God, as he did frankly forgive them and continue to lead them in patience and love. 

I hope that I will turn to the Lord in prayer, as to not get tangled in cords that would keep me from continuing to grow and serve Him at my highest capacity. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

1 Nephi 7:

16 And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these words unto my brethren, they were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts.

17 But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.

18 And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again.

21 And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lord we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father.

 http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/7.16,17?lang=eng

Golden Ticket and Fruit of the Tree

As I read about Lehi's vision of the tree of life this time... I ponder upon the fact that Lehi even with this heavenly personage, right beside him, was Still in darkness, but the Lord had not left him...He was leading Lehi. In our own lives we can sometimes wonder as We may feel that we are in darkness, yet on the Path that we are Supposed to be on, to get to the fruit, why should I feel to be left in the dark, I am going the right way.... But, we see Lehi given many mercies on His way to the fruit, and eventually he did reach the fruit...but, even then he was Still Subject to Concern and Sorrow for others. Getting to that fruit was the happiest thing he had ever experienced, but it was not a golden ticket that Some may think reaching Pinnacle points IN the gospel might be. 1 Nephi 8 is a good reminder to me that there Will be continual trials in our Journey. partaking of the fruits of the gospel is continual and does not mean that our journey ends. we are Part of this Senerio that Lehi describes in his vision daily... 5 And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me. 6 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him. 7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. 8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies. 9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious field. 10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. 11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.  from president Dieter F. Uchtdorfs talk " forget me not" ,we read :  "So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket—the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about. For some, the golden ticket may be a perfect marriage; for others, a magazine-cover home or perhaps freedom from stress or worry. There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings—we hope and seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.”4 The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event—our golden ticket—to appear." I am thankful for the Joy and Sorrow this Journey to Him brings.... I Say this in Jesus name. Amen.

His Mysteries

1 Nephi 2:1

  

16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.

  

As I read about Nephi's great desires to know the mysteries of God, I also understood this desire, as I strongly desire to know God's mysteries, as well. 

  

I started to ponder why I want to know His mysteries?

  

It is because I love Him, and I want to be a successful servant unto Him.

  

Whenever we want to be successful in a hobby, a job, Or if we generally have an interest in anything, we will spend time trying to perfect our knowledge, or abilities, within the realm of our interest, or come to know more about it.

  

For myself, the ways that I show Him that I love Him, are by being interested in Him. I want to try His works, and get to know whom that He is, by reading the scriptures. 

  

In the guide to the scriptures it states that: mysteries of God come by revelation. This reminds me that no matter how much knowledge that I try to gain about my SAVIOR , if I am not being obedient, and am not worthy of the Holy Ghost, then my efforts to learn about Him will profit me nothing, because it is the Holy Ghost whom provides the revelation or the mysteries of God. 

  

I hope and strive daily to be worthy of His spirit. Often, if I haven't felt the constant urge to love, be more patient,kind, humble, meek, etc. Then I pray and ask if I do still have His spirit with me? I request for Him to  allow me to feel it's influence. I love how having the spirit feels, and I know that the mysteries are given by striving to keep the spirit with us. 

  

Galatians 5:22-23

 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  

 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

  

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.