Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
I've thought on this verse a lot recently. Why does Paul say that we will receive mercy when we come to the throne of grace? It seems like we should be receiving grace. Is he just trying to pack multiple positive traits of Christ (whose throne it is) into one verse? Probably not. The following is my interpretation of this verse.
If I am coming to Christ for grace (which the LDS Church defines as the enabling power of Christ), I am making a personal admonition that I need him, and believe he both can and will help me. And because I make that admonition, because I try to work with him rather than by myself, he not only grants me grace in time of need, but also is merciful in the long term.
A great example is when a man with the palsy is brought to Christ, and Christ both heals him of the palsy and forgives him of his sins (Mark 2:1-12, and video below). Seeking Christ for healing is approaching the throne of grace; having the palsy cured is receiving grace in time of need; and receiving a forgiveness of sin is mercy.
It's my belief that if I seek Christ's grace, he will help in my time of need. And additionally, he will have mercy on me through the long run because I sought him.
Forrest
--Who needs all the grace and mercy he can get.
I've really dropped the ball on posting the last few weeks. But here I am, back at it.
Isaiah 7-9 (and 2 Nephi 17-19) are chapters filled with prophecies of destruction that are going to fall on Jerusalem. It isn't pleasant reading. But in chapter 9 (or 19) a single phrase is repeated three times (2 Nephi 19:12, 17, 21):
For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
My interpretation of this is that despite the wrongdoings of the people, and God's displeasure with them because of those wrongdoings, His hand is still stretched out toward them. He still wants to help them and protect them, and He has put himself in a position to do so, but it can only happen when they reach back.
I've had many experiences where I was playing the role of the people of Jerusalem, and life was difficult. Sometimes I didn't understand why, but I usually knew that I was doing things wrong. The miracle is that whenever I turned toward God, and reached for Him, I did find His hand "stretched out still." It was always there, and as soon as I made the slightest move towards Him I felt His hand in my life.
Isaiah 9 and 2 Nephi 19 also contain another well-known passage of scripture, one that is particularly quoted or heard at this time of year (v. 6):
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
God extends His hand towards us by giving us His Son, Jesus Christ. It is because Christ paid for my sins that the hand is stretched out even when I am not reaching for it and "his anger is not turned away." It is because a child was born, "unto us a son is given."
For Unto Us a Child is Born--Handel's Messiah
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Good Tidings of Great Joy: The Birth of Jesus Christ--Mormon Channel
Forrest
--Who loves all things Christmas, with the exception of the songs "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time," "Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart," and "The Christmas Shoes."
We will be going to my in-laws for Thanksgiving, and typically before we start the Thanksgiving Dinner we go around the table three times and each say one thing we're grateful for on each pass. Mine vary, of course, but on that particular day sometimes I think of the Fs in my life: Faith, Family, Friends, Football, and Food. (I think F has too much of a negative connotation, by the way. It's a very valuable letter.) I could go into detail about each one of these things and how they improve my life, but I won't; I will confine it to the first two, Faith and Family.
One definition of faith is "a system of religious belief." By this definition, I feel like the system of religious belief to which I ascribe is firmly fixed on Jesus Christ. My own personal system of religious belief is not as firmly fixed. I try my best to center my system of religious belief on Jesus Christ, and I am not perfect at it. Or even very good at it. But I try, and when I learn that I am off base, I make an effort to correct myself so that I am more centered on Jesus Christ. I can safely say that I know that all good things in my life have come because of Jesus Christ and my belief in Him as my Savior and Redeemer. And that all future good things will come from that same source.
One of the good things in my life, if not the best, is my family. Quick story: once when I was in middle school I was complaining to a teacher about something not being "fair." She responded that life isn't fair, to which I responded "I know, but why isn't it ever unfair in my favor?" (I was quoting a classic work, Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes.) She then said something very profound: "It was unfair in your favor when you were born into the family that you were." She was right. My family is my biggest blessing, and one that it's easiest to be grateful for, because of my frequent interactions with them. When the preceding conversation took place, my family was my parents and siblings. Now it includes my in-laws (see previous post for how I feel about them); and my wife, Elin (see her post about gratitude and thanksgiving); and little girl Evelyn. Soon there will be another in that group. These people are perhaps the greatest evidence of God's love for me, individually. They inspire me to be better and help me to be more centered on Christ. Which, in turn, leads to more good things in my life.
Forrest
--Who is in actuality grateful for friends, football, and food, too. They just would have made the post overlong.
Today during our church service, an 85-year old man (who still has a spectacular voice) sang a hymn called "More Holiness Give Me." (You can listen to a beautiful rendition of it here.--although I wish you could have heard the 85-year old man sing it...) The words of the song struck me to my core because I have felt especially flat these last couple weeks. I want to feel that "more" that the song describes. I want to feel that urgency.
I have realized more and more this last year that I am not investing enough in my relationship with God-- and that my faith in and relationship with Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, is directly related to what I am willing to invest in the relationship. I don't know why this hasn't occurred to me before now. As is true in other relationships, we have to open ourselves up and talk to the other person, we have to be willing to be quiet and listen to the other person, we have to be willing to help, we have to prove ourselves trustworthy, we have to admit when we are wrong and say we are sorry and be willing to make amends for the relationship to be strong and rewarding and mutually beneficial. And then time and experiences with those people is what then links me to them even more.
Those are the kinds of things I try to do in my family and with my friends (and don't always do very successfully...) because it is obvious that the people that I care most about and who care most about me are people who have put time and effort and care into knowing me--and they are people who have been in my life, doing these things for an extended period of time.
Sometimes I forget that. I forget that these are the things that it takes to build a relationship. And for some reason, sometimes I think that I don't have to do those kinds of things to have a relationship with God. It is like I assume He will just take care of things for me and He loves me and understands me perfectly, and that is enough. I convince myself that I love and understand Him "enough" and don't put much work into my side of the relationship. But how does that make sense?
In what is referred to as the Intercessory prayer (John 17:3), the Savior, Jesus Christ, prays to the Father in our behalf--all of us. One of the things He says is:
"And this is lifeeternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
He doesn't say that eternal life (which we believe is life with God- life after death where we get to be with our families and keep progressing and becoming more and more like Him) is God knowing and loving us (which He always does)--eternal life is us coming to know God and His Son, Jesus Christ. And coming to know anything or anyone requires effort, work, and time.
God has given us the tools to come to know Him. To develop a real relationship with Him. He has spoken throughout the ages and His words have been recorded by prophets in what we now refer to as scriptures. He has spoken truth and love to the hearts of men and women throughout the ages through the Spirit and their words are recorded in inspired literature, journals, and speeches. He speaks now to His prophet, President Monson, and He will speak now to us through the Spirit. He and the Savior have promised this over and over and over again.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" Matthew 7:7, 3 Nephi 27:29
This is the promise--but I have to do my part by investing in the relationship. By asking and seeking and studying and trying to know Him more and more.
One last thought that I found applied specifically to me:
"True, the Lord has said, “Ask, and ye shall receive.” (D&C 4:7.) But He also declared, “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.” (D&C 9:7.)
It is evident that He intends that we do our part. But what, specifically, are we to do? No one would expect to receive a result from physical law without obeying it. Spiritual law is the same. As much as we want help, we must expect to follow the spiritual law that controls that help. Spiritual law is not mysterious. It is something that we can understand. The scriptures define it in significant detail." Elder Richard G. Scott, "Obtaining Help From the Lord"
This week, my challenge to myself is to put the amount of time and effort into coming to know my Heavenly Father and the Savior that will enable me to feel and understand their strength and help and love--that will enable me to be more holy.
-Elin Who is simultaneously still trying to work on being grateful in every circumstance.
Having a child has taught me more about myself and my relationship with God than anything I have previously experienced in my life.
For instance, my little girl, Evie, has a stuffed turtle with a shell that projects the stars and moon on her ceiling. Last night, she was holding it in her hands and she started looking through the little star shaped holes directly at the light bulb in the shell. As soon as I told her not to do it, she of course tightened her hold on the turtle and stared more fiercely into the light. I explained to her that staring directly at light bulbs hurts your eyes. Did that stop her from wanting to do it? No. Same thing with walking in the street. I explain to her that it is dangerous to walk out into the street because cars drive on the road and they don't always see people walking. Basically, getting hit by a car would hurt really bad. "Big Bonk" in 2-year old language. Does she still try to spend a lot of time playing in the street. Yes.
So while the whole turtle light bulb situation was happening, I was thinking to myself, "She is so stubborn! Why would she consistently choose to do something that I tell her is not good for her eyes. That can hurt her. And then why, when she does get hurt in these situations (like when I tell her not to stand in her booster seat at the kitchen table because she could fall and hit her head....and then she falls and hits her head), why does she look at me with tears running down her cheeks as if I was the reason she fell?" Those are the thoughts running through my mind.
And then suddenly, I see myself in her. I do the same thing, all the time. Like parking in a place I shouldn't park because it's convenient--thinking this time I won't get a ticket even though I've been ticketed every other time I've parked here. And then when I get the ticket, I curse the guy who gave me the ticket. The same thing is true for me with spiritual principles--with commandments that come from Heavenly Father. And suddenly my relationship and interactions with Evie are juxtaposed with my relationship and interactions with God...except this time I am still the child. And He is telling me things He has always said--things like, "Keep the Sabbath day holy. Make it a day for spiritual things and for serving and helping others (because when you do that, you are serving and helping Me). And on this one day of the week, when you can, refrain from the normal weekday work that you do and the normal weekday recreation. And if you do this, you will be better and brighter and happier." (see Isaiah 58:13-14) And I look down and find myself wanting to tighten my grip on the silly fluff of a book that I am currently reading or wanting to sleep all day rather then put down the book or get out of bed to go do something for someone else or even just to spend quality time with my family. Things like that.
I love this quote from a talk given in a recent church conference:
"God will not act to make us something we do not choose by our actions to become. Truly He loves us, and because He loves us, He neither compels nor abandons us. Rather He helps and guides us. Indeed, the real manifestation of God's love is His commandments."
"Free Forever, to Act for Themselves" Elder D. Todd Christofferson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
I am finding this to be more and more true in my life. That God's love is manifest in the commandments He gives and in always giving us the choice to obey them or to not obey them. And then He further manifests His love in giving us someone, a Savior, who understands us perfectly and can help us up and heal us when we fall out of the chair that we deliberately climbed despite the countless warnings about the damage it would do. I am trying to love and trust my Heavenly Father the way I hope my daughter can love and trust me.
And here's a video I really like:
-Elin
Who wishes she could become an official namer of streets. How does "turn right on Whistling Wood" and "make a left on Rhododendron Way" sound? I think I have a real aptitude for that kind of work.
Another thought-provoking quote if you are still even reading this....
"To those who believe anything or everything could be true, the declaration of objective, fixed, and universal truth feels like coercion--"I shouldn't be forced to believe something is true that I don't like." But that does not change reality. Resenting the law of gravity won't keep a person from falling if he steps off a cliff. The same is true for eternal law and justice. Freedom comes not from resisting it but from applying it. That is fundamental to God's own power. If it were not for the reality of fixed and immutable truths, the gift of agency would be meaningless since we would never be able to foresee and intend the consequences of our actions. As Lehi [a prophet in the Book of Mormon] expressed it: 'If ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act or to be acted upon..(2 Nephi 2:13).'" "Free Forever, to Act for Themselves" Elder D. Todd Christofferson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Every Sunday during Sacrament meeting, our worship service,
we listen as 2 or 3 people in our congregation speak on an assigned topic. Last
Sunday the first speaker was a 12 year old girl who talked about hope and
faith. It was a short, simple talk that left me pondering her words all day. The
meeting continued and I was watching a little 3 year old girl sitting one row
in front of us. She was using stickers and crayons to quietly create her
masterpiece. Once she finished, she quietly walk over to an adjacent pew and
gave her picture to another little girl and then quietly returned to her seat.
The little girls was so excited to get this picture and spent several minutes
touching the stickers and looking at all the drawings. She then grabbed her
crayons and returned the favor.
As we watched this interchange take place over about an half
hour, Ben and I were both touched. Ben leaned over and whispered in my ear, “This
is my favorite part today.” I agreed and thought about why it was so touching
to us.
Little children are so full of love. I could give example
after example of this. They are kind, innocent, and loving. I think it is
because of this that we are counseled to become as little children so often in
the scriptures. Here are a few: 3 Nephi 11:37,
Matthew 18:3,
and Mosiah 3:19 which says,
“For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from
the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the
enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a
saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child,
submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all
things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth
submit to his father.”
I hope that I can apply this to my own life and be quicker
to show acts of kindness and love with humility. I’m glad we are reminded so
often in the scriptures because I need frequent reminders.
-Ryanne
Who received this card last Easter from a very thoughtful niece…
I just came across Mosiah 3:19 in my scripture study the other day and it totally gave me a whole new perspective on how I feel and think about the atonement.
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natrual man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
In my pondering I came to realize that I kind of had a negative association with the atonement, which sounds really bad but here is why.
I want to be perfect, which is a wonderful goal, but I want to be perfect now or even yesterday would be nice. So, every time I use the atonement I had this small feeling of failure, of inadequacy, loss of hope of never reaching my goal.
So, reading that by my nature I am a natural enemy to God was so hopeful to me. All of my many many daily mistakes I make is in my nature of being a natural person.... I am not terribly failing... or I am not broken...or there is not something horribly wrong with my brain. That is how I was created... I am a just human; mistakes and sins are inevitable. It is through using the atonement that I can reach my goal, feel whole, and become perfect. Every time I use the wonderful power of the atonement, I am only one step closer to where I need and want to be, not one step back.
The atonement can change all my natural man-ness or women-ness, I guess (which I don’t think are real words). It can grow and develop the divine traits and qualities that I have inherently been born with from the Lord and any other gifts the Lord can bless me with.
Ashley
Who prays daily there is chocolate in heaven... well not everyday but I probably should start
Side Note from Ryanne:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the same as the church in the Old and New Testament. As in ancient times, there is a prophet and apostles on the earth today. This weekend is General Conference weekend. Tomorrow, Saturday, at 10AM and 2PM mountain time, the Prophet, Apostles, and other discples of Christ will speak to us, lead us, and guide us. On Sunday there are two more sessions at the same times.
You can watch it here.
“I had to put a lock on my refrigerator so the boys won’t
get in it.”
“Before you get a treat you have to show me a cool dance
move.”
“Don’t fight with real knives!”
“Just because you know fighting moves does not mean you can
use them on your sister.”
The few phrases above are from phone conversations I have
had with sisters that are interrupted by these phrases or similar ones. I have
6 sisters and sisters-in law, a wonderful mother-in-law and a loving mother who
are great examples to me over motherhood. I grew up in a loving home, believing
I had one of the best moms in the world and as I’ve grown and matured, I
realize that I was right. My mom is a light in darkness. She shines bright and
does her best to share her light. I am blessed to have married a man whose
mother is also one of a kind in her graciousness. I could go on for ages about
how amazing examples these two women are in my life.
I have many examples of motherhood in my life between
sisters, sisters-in-law, and close friends. One things that stands out to me as
I watch these women I love mother their children; they all have different
methods and parenting styles but all those methods work for them and their
families. I am generally in awe that such different methods yield similar results it is because they have one things in common: They are all in line with ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the world’ which states,
“Parents have a
sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for
their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one
another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they
live…. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on
principle of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion,
work, and wholesome recreation activities… In these sacred responsibilities,
father and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.”
Being a mother is a huge responsibility, one that I look
forward to with eagerness. I am blessed to have so many great examples in my
life. I know that no one could have taught me to love more fiercely and constantly, and to show
kindness no matter the circumstance than my own mother. She will always be an
example to me.
I know that because I am a woman, I have been called to be a
mother. Even though I do not have children I can still fulfill this calling; by
following the example of the many mothers in my life; by showing love to all
those who need it. I know as I work to do this I will become more Christlike
because that is what I have seen in the lives of my mom, mother-in-law, and
sisters.
In closing, I would like to recognize that being a mother is
tough. Again, I do not know this from experience but from watching my examples. I
get a lot of chuckles from listening to things my sisters say to their children
when I’m on the phone with them but I also listen as they tell me of their
struggles, heart aches, and their pains. To mothers everywhere, and especially
to my own, I would like to quote Elder Jeffery R. Holland, an apostle of the
Lord,
“May I say to mothers collectively, in the name of the Lord, you are
magnificent. You are doing terrifically well. The very fact that you have been
given such a responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in
Heaven has in you. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no,
especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Rely on
Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And press forward with a
steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.”
This evening, I am going to watch the General Women's Meeting for our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a meeting where women all over the world can gather and watch and listen to the leaders of the women's and children's organizations of our Church, as well as a member of the First Presidency of the Church give inspiring, Christ-centered messages and counsel.
A couple of years ago, as I was listening to the messages shared at one of these meetings, I was particularly struck by the words of Linda S. Reeves. She told the story of a time in her life when her husband was diagnosed with a rare disease that she believed was killing her husband. This is how she described her feelings:
"We had a large, young family and a loving, eternal marriage, and the thought of losing my husband and raising my children by myself filled me with loneliness, despair, and even anger. I am ashamed to say that I pulled away from my Heavenly Father. For days I quit praying; I quit planning; I cried. I finally came to the realization that I could not do this alone.
For the first time in many days, I knelt down and poured out my heart to my Father in Heaven, pleading for forgiveness for turning away from Him, telling Him all of my deepest feelings, and finally crying out that if this was what He really wanted me to do, I would do it. I knew He must have a plan for our lives.
As I continued on my knees to pour out my heart, the sweetest, most peaceful, loving feeling came over me. It was as if a blanket of love was flowing over me. It was as if I could feel Heavenly Father saying, “That was all I needed to know.” I determined never to turn away from Him again. Gradually and amazingly, my husband began to get better until he made a full recovery.
I was floored when I heard her message, because it came at a time when I was going through the beginnings of a similar experience--and her words were a great strength and comfort to me. I felt like the message was specifically for me and was amazed that it came into my life when it did. It gave me hope.
Sister Reeves continues the story by saying:
Years later my husband and I knelt by the side of our 17-year-old daughter and pleaded for her life. This time the answer was no, but that same feeling of love and peace that our Savior has promised was just as powerful, and we knew that even though Heavenly Father was calling her back home, everything would be all right. We have come to know what it means to cast our burdens upon the Lord, to know that He loves us and feels compassion for us in our sorrows and pain."
"Whatever sin or weakness or pain or struggle or trial you are going through, He knows and understands those very moments. He loves you! And He will carry you through those moments, just as He did Mary and Martha (See John 11). He has paid the price that He might know how to succor you. Cast your burdens upon Him. Tell your Heavenly Father how you feel. Tell Him about your pain and afflictions and then give them to Him. Search the scriptures daily. There you will also find great solace and help." The Lord Has Not Forgotten You
I have never lost a child, but I can only imagine the suffering I would feel if I did. And Sister Reeve's account of losing her daughter is one of the most humbling stories I have ever heard. I could relate to her first experience in a very specific real way. I could not relate to her second experience--but hearing it, makes me want to be the kind of person who can rely on the Lord the way she did when faced with such a heart-wrenching experience.
I am grateful for these opportunities to gather and be uplifted and to hear words matter to me in my life and that make me want to be a better, stronger, kinder person. I know that anyone who tunes in and listens to these messages can hear something specifically for them and be strengthened by it. That is how our Heavenly Father speaks to us sometimes: through other imperfect people who work and struggle and wonder themselves, but have found peace and strength in Him.
“And [Jesus Christ] shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
“And he will take upon him … their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, … that he may know … how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” Alma 7:11-12
Have you experienced peace? During difficult trials and
trying times?
Where is peace found and how can it be achieved?
I am only 28 years old. I have, like everybody else, experienced a couple tough
trials in my short existence. There have been times when I felt completely surrounded
by darkness, a thick pressing darkness. It felt as if I would never find my way
out.
Then,
Camelight, a small light, but still, a light.
That light was hope, hope found in Christ.
As I realized I had the knowledge to get me through the
darkness, that light grew. My hope grew and eventually,
Peace.
I experienced peace amidst trial. Peace while experiencing
pain.Peace took the place of fear. Did I know what was in my future? No, but I
did know that I could find peace in the Savior. He would be with me on my
journey.
My journey to find peace is, sadly, a repetitive one. Even
when life seems like it couldn’t be better; I need to rely on my Savior to find
peace. Living righteously brings me closer to Christ; being close to Christ
brings me peace and joy.
Elder Quentin L. Cook said,
“We all long for peace. Peace is not just safety or lack of
war, violence, conflict, and contention. Peace comes from knowing that the Savior
knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His
commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies.”
For those of you in darkness, I know that you can find light
and peace. Christ knows you. He knows what you are experiencing; He has
experienced it all. Take His hand and let Him lead you to peace.
Here are the lyrics to the Hymn, “Where can I Turn For
Peace?” by Emma Lou Thayne, that is always a good reminder for me:
1. Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?
2. Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where
Can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my
Anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.
3. He answers privately,
Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and
Friend.
Gentle the peace he finds for my
Beseeching.
Constant he is and kind,
Love without end.
Two great talks on peace can be found here and here
-Ryanne
Who is craving some peppermint patties at this very moment
