Monday, October 5, 2009

Motiviational Monday - Thoughts on Jesus Christ

I love conference time! I love the relaxing weekend, staying at home to catch each session. I love having a weekend that I get to lounge around home, not doing chores, not running to the store, not being hurried to prepare for lessons, not rushing to church and then the weekend is over without much rest. But on conference weekends, it's not rushed, it's peaceful, it's spiritual, it's homey and my spiritual cup runneth over in the joy of the gospel and the love of our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I feel as though He has taken me in his arms and filled my soul with His love and encouragement to do better ..... to try harder ....... to serve more diligently and to win the prize of eternal life with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and my eternal family.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

If I ask and have faith, I can have the strength to choose the right and be strong enough to resist temptation. I loved Elder Bednar's talk of consistency in our families... I always enjoy his talks. Elder Scott's talk on the Holy Ghost was very powerful. In my primary class, I always want the Holy Ghost to bear witness that the things we teach are true and that these 8 year olds will gain a great testimony. A testimony to help them throughout their primary years that will support them through their young women and young men years.
I am a strong believer that they need a firm foundation in primary - you can't expect them to gain a strong foundation while their hormones are raging... it needs to be strong when they are young so they can continue to hold onto the iron rod and not stray.
Isn't Elder Holland amazing? The strong testimony on the atonement in April and then his fervent testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. It was powerful and you can feel the truth that these things are true. That Joseph Smith DID see the Father and the Son. That he was given a ancient record, the golden plates to translate by the power of God. The the Book of Mormon is an inspired and true book that will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know there is power in the Book of Mormon and I know it is true. The teaching and doctrine are true.

President Ezra Taft Benson helped us understand how the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. He said:"There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.

It is the keystone in our witness of Christ.

It is the keystone of our doctrine.

It is the keystone of testimony.

"The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do. It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity. . . ."[It] broadens our understandings of the doctrines of salvation. The Book of Mormon . . . was written for our day. In [it] we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. . . .

"The Book of Mormon teaches us truth [and] bears testimony of Jesus Christ. . . . But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called 'the words of life,' and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. . . .

'Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit' " (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, pp. 4-7; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, pp. 5-7). I love the spirit that flows throughout my soul and my home after conference. It brings peace and I gain a greater testimony that these things are true. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet on the earth today. He is a great man who lives by the spirit. I love his focus on service and the many service projects that were done as presents for his birthday. There are many wonderful people in this church and it inspires me to do better in giving service.
Last week I read a great post from Valerie's Attempt at Pondering that she has given me permission to post. It really touched my heart and I wanted to share it and keep it in my journal/blog: Here it is:

Last week I accompanied a friend to court as she had to go for another issue in her divorce. I was there for moral support. It was the first time I had ever been in a courtroom. (Can you believe I’ve never been called for jury duty?) My friend had an attorney representing for her so she didn’t have to talk at all. However, her almost-ex-husband was representing himself.

As he struggled to understand the judge and the other attorney, as well as tried to prove something that was proven not to be true, I imagined myself in front of the judge, alone and without someone to help represent me.

Then (as my mind always wanders) I thought of being in front of my Heavenly Father one day, alone and without an advocate. I was flooded with gratitude for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that because of him, I will not stand alone on judgment day. But He will be more than my advocate, asking for leniency, with no personal stake in the outcome.

He will say to my Heavenly Father, “Yes, it is true. Valerie (Sondra) did all of these things, but she has come unto me and asked to be forgiven. She has tried to do better. (I hope He can say that!) I have already paid the punishment you have set which has made her clean, despite every weakness and sin she had.

" Although it is incomprehensible how He can do it, I know that He is willing to do it for me and for each of us. I am so glad I won’t have to stand alone because His love.

"Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we need not fear, for we will live forever, never to taste of death again. Because of His infinite Atonement, we can be cleansed of sin and stand pure and holy before the judgment bar. The Savior is the Author of our Salvation."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope", Ensign, Nov. 2008, 22
I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice for all of us.
I want to be better, I want to serve more diligently, I want to be a better example, I want to always keep my hands tightly secure on the iron rod that will lead me back to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The true church has been restored on this earth again. It is true. Joseph Smith did restore Jesus Christ's church back on the earth and Jesus stands at the head of this church today. We are lead by living prophets and apostles today. The Book of Mormon is true and we will gain greater knowledge by reading it.

I know there is power on the earth, Priesthood Power and it gives men authority to act in God's name on this earth. I know we can be families sealed together for eternity by the sacred ordinances performed in the temple. It is very exciting that 5 more temples were announced - bring a total of 151 throughout the world.

I am thankful for the antoning sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful that he made it possible for me to repent of my sins and be clean again.

I love this church and how it strengthens my life and my experience here on this earth. It is true!

6 comments:

Valerie said...

I loved conference too! So many wonderful things to think about and remember. Your post was definitely special and spiritual without including my little post, but it was so nice of you to think it worthy to be next to so many special thoughts from conference.

Thanks for sharing your feelings! What a great primary teacher you must be. I wish all the primary teachers in our ward worried so much about teaching with the Spirit.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

It was a beautiful weekend with so much to fill my cup as well. I agree with you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights.

Small House said...

Beautiful post. Enjoyed reading your testimony. It was a wonderful weekend. I always look forward to conference weekend. I'm like you, it leaves me with the feeling that I can do it!! I can not only do it, but I can do and be better. I've decided to purchase conference on cd when it comes out.

Thanks again for sharing your testimony today.
have a great day.
Sandra

Zoey said...

Conference was awesome! I am going to do better at reading the messages when they come to my home since I had three big distractions (the kiddos.) Thanks for sharing your thoughts and testimony with me! You are such a wonderful aunt! Love ya!

Connie said...

Sondra,
You are a great example to me and I'm sure to many others. I too love Conference. What a blessing to be able to learn at the feet of prophets.
Thanks for sharing.

CB said...

Sondra what a wonderful post! I too love Conference weekend and this weekend to me seemed to center all on LOVE. There were so many great messages and the spirit was so strong.
Elder Hollands talk on The Book of Mormon was amazing - his testimony...Wow!
Your testimony here...WOW!!

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