He being Holy
As I sit down this evening, my heart is full. It has been a week filled with wonderful moments of learning and inspiration. I only hope I can apply all that I have learned.
This weeks verses of pondering come from 2 Nephi 31:4-6.
My mind has been focused on verse 5. "...he being holy,..." That is it. What made Him holy? What does it mean to be holy? In the past year, there have been several references to becoming more holy. Keeping the Sabbath holy. We see the reference on every temple we enter, "Holiness to the Lord". It is something that filled my heart and mind. I don't know that I understand it completely and probably won't for a very long time, but it is there. I have a feeling that I am going to be able to continue pondering it in the work to come.
Before I a move on, I will leave you with the cross reference: 1 John 3:3 "And every man that hath this HOPE in him PURIFIETH himself, even as He is PURE."
Do you have this HOPE? Do you seek this HOLINESS?
More to follow.
Next, how many of you took time to read, ponder, and pray about the talks and counsel from President Eyring? I loved his thoughts from Priesthood session. They are so timely and matched exactly with the lesson today in our ward for High Priest group, Lesson 19. I would encourage you all to read both.
What stood out to me is FAITH. Are we exercising the FAITH to follow our chosen leaders? Are we binding ourselves to the will of God and Jesus Christ through our FAITH and OBEDIENCE to our chosen leaders? I feel that I too should take the creed of James E. Faust -
“We … need to support and sustain our local leaders, because they … have been ‘called and chosen.’ Every member of this Church may receive counsel from a bishop or a branch president, a stake or a mission president, and the President of the Church and his associates. None of these brethren asked for his calling. None is perfect. Yet they are the servants of the Lord, called by Him through those entitled to inspiration. Those called, sustained, and set apart are entitled to our sustaining support.
This weeks verses of pondering come from 2 Nephi 31:4-6.
My mind has been focused on verse 5. "...he being holy,..." That is it. What made Him holy? What does it mean to be holy? In the past year, there have been several references to becoming more holy. Keeping the Sabbath holy. We see the reference on every temple we enter, "Holiness to the Lord". It is something that filled my heart and mind. I don't know that I understand it completely and probably won't for a very long time, but it is there. I have a feeling that I am going to be able to continue pondering it in the work to come.
Before I a move on, I will leave you with the cross reference: 1 John 3:3 "And every man that hath this HOPE in him PURIFIETH himself, even as He is PURE."
Do you have this HOPE? Do you seek this HOLINESS?
More to follow.
Next, how many of you took time to read, ponder, and pray about the talks and counsel from President Eyring? I loved his thoughts from Priesthood session. They are so timely and matched exactly with the lesson today in our ward for High Priest group, Lesson 19. I would encourage you all to read both.
What stood out to me is FAITH. Are we exercising the FAITH to follow our chosen leaders? Are we binding ourselves to the will of God and Jesus Christ through our FAITH and OBEDIENCE to our chosen leaders? I feel that I too should take the creed of James E. Faust -
“We … need to support and sustain our local leaders, because they … have been ‘called and chosen.’ Every member of this Church may receive counsel from a bishop or a branch president, a stake or a mission president, and the President of the Church and his associates. None of these brethren asked for his calling. None is perfect. Yet they are the servants of the Lord, called by Him through those entitled to inspiration. Those called, sustained, and set apart are entitled to our sustaining support.
“… Disrespect for
ecclesiastical leaders has caused many to suffer spiritual weakening and
downfall. We should look past any perceived imperfections, warts, or spots of
the men called to preside over us, and uphold the office which they hold”
President Eyring then spoke about the blessings and power that has come to him in the last 6 months as he has exercised his FAITH in following the counsel of President Monson in his afternoon talk, "Fear Not to Do Good". He talked of the blessings of Optimism and Love he has felt. We too can receive these same blessings. He encouraged us to be DOING.
I found it interesting that then today in Sacrament meeting my witness was capitalized as I listened to and received testimony of a young 11 year old sister in our ward who was scared beyond words to speak in Sacrament meeting. Yet she was able to overcome that fear and find power and strength as she exercised her FAITH in following her leaders.
And then our Bishop posed an interesting question he found in an old conference address from like 1928. It was basically, How do we see Eternal Life? What do we think it will like? His thoughts were deep and profound. He quoted from Matt. 11:28-29. Where we are told to come unto Him who are heavy laden and find rest from our labors, but then we are to take upon ourselves His yoke and learn of Him. Coming into His rest, does not mean sitting at pool side with an umbrella drink, but taking upon us a yoke, which indicates doing, working, being, more than just sitting idle; DOING GOOD.
What did you get from these talks? What will you change? How will you improve? How will you become better yoked?
It has been a busy week. I felt like I was gone most of it, but I wasn't. I was only gone for a couple days. Life went on.
The Queen trained the first three days of the week and then did her regular routine the last two.
The Professor continues to plug along with classes. She spends her evenings doing home work and prepping for the next days class.
We didn't hear much from Tall Man and Ehl-Bo. From what I gathered, they were busy and attended an opera this weekend.
We spent the day with/at Puddin and Lady Hawkin's place yesterday. They were in and out with work, games, and entertaining, but it was good to see them.
I am gratefully for the opportunity to learn. Going back to where I started. Holy in my mind is a cumulative of all of His character traits. This week I was reminded that I need to work on Pride. I need to recognize His hand and show gratitude for it. I HOPE that I am learning and doing so. I am grateful for those who took the time to teach me, bear with me, and stand by me when I am at my worst. I HOPE that I can gain the FAITH to follow and obey.
This week, I encourage you to add President Uchtdorf's talks to your reading, pondering, and prayer. There are three of them from conference. I will be sending them to those who don't have ready access.
Comments