Getting that Body you want, but not like you think

Happy Sabbath!

I am so grateful to be able to share.  I love seeing the hand of the Lord in my life on a daily basis and being able to share just a small witness of what I received. 

Promo - I don't get paid for this, but I wanted to encourage you all to take some time to read "Saints".  I know that many of you have been reading a chapter a month as it has comes out in the Ensign each month this year, but there is so much more to read, study, ponder, and learn about.  It is free on Gospel Library.  I read chapter 7 this morning.  It has been inspiring.  I love learning a little here and there about things I did not know.(I am not paid for such a promotion)

This week has been pretty good.  My thoughts have revolved around D&C 76:78-80 this week.  Let's see what I can share.

"...they are bodies terrestrial..."  As I read and pondered these verses this week I have had a couple thoughts, but they start with "bodies".  Does this mean individuals or groups?  I guess it could mean both if you think about it.  Let's start with individual.

The Lord sent us here to receive "bodies", physical, mortal, bodies of clay.  They are feeble, weak, imperfect, and will someday return to the dust from whenst they were formed.  Yet they are bodies.  We are promised that through the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ, they will become immortal someday.  Perfect, in their own right, or complete to the completeness they have been formed or trained to be.   Being perfect at that times does not mean they will all be the same.  They will be perfect according to the laws of Mercy and Justice God has proclaimed.  Some will be Celestial, some Terrestial, and some Telestial.  Perfect in their own right according to that which they accomplished during mortality.

Have you ever thought about that?  What is your "body" becoming?  How are you helping prepare it for the eternities?  Are you spiritually training and strengthening your mortal body to be what you kind of body you want it to be?  As you struggle through this mortal union of "spirit" and "body" what are you becoming?

We have talked about Celestial a little in this section.  These verses continue to describe the attributes of these bodies.  "...not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun..."

Key elements in these few words are:

• Differ
• Glory
• Like the Moon, but not the Sun

We are not the same.  We all have different challenge and obstacles to overcome.  I have been reminded again through my Sunday worship and other opportunities this week that we should stop living in the world that covets the experiences and lives of others around us.  We need to live individually, but unified in the goal.  Last week in Sacrament meeting I witnessed a small child really focusing on re-creating a pumpkin, to be more exact a Halloween Pumpkin.  As he completed the task, he excitedly held it up to show his mother and was suddenly overcome by doubt.  He tentatively ask, "Does this look like a pumpkin Mom?"  

Before she could even response, he crumpled up the paper and threw it on the ground.  Declaring what a poor representation of a pumpkin it was.  His family tried to smooth out the drawing and help him understand that it was good, but he could not see it.  He could only see the worst.

Question?  How many pumpkins are exactly the same?  Have you ever seen two from the same vine that look the same in all aspects?  How many of you have ever seen two Halloween Pumpkins that look exactly the same?  I have not.  Why is it so hard for this small mind to accept?  Think about it.

Why do we not accept, see, and radiate the glory within us?  

Now, I am not saying that we should stop trying to be better each and every day, seeking to obtain "Celestial Bodies", but I think we also need to understand that in the end, those who have stopped progressing or wanting to progress, but that are good, "honorable" people, will be happy with their glorious state if this is the furthest they are able to progress.  They will reflect the light of the sun as the moon does, and be glorious in their own right.

Moving on.  What things do we learn to help us become more?  "...These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus..."  I have pondered a great deal here this week?  I am continually asking if I can be more like Jesus in my life.  I am often given to reflect if I am being valiant.  Is my spiritual body helping my mortal body learn to become more valiant in my testimony of Jesus Christ?  Again, a individual question that can only be answered individually, but this I know.

I cannot become more valiant in my testimony of Jesus alone.  Jesus did not do things for himself.  He came doing the will of his/our father.  He radiated that valiance through that which he did for others, walking with them, listening to them, lifting with them, and sometimes just carrying them.  I ask myself, am I learning from his valiance and striving to do the same?

The last verse of this pondering has taught me again that these things were revealed, through prophets, for my benefit, should I receive it.  They were commanded to write what had been revealed to them that I might learn and benefit from it.  The same applies to you.  What are you doing about it?

I hope my thoughts and pondering have give way to your own.  I hope they will help you see what you are in need of changing and finding strength individually and together to with others to become that body you have the potential of becoming.

Our week - 

It has been kind of strange this week.  The Queen has been home this week, but she has been on an opposite schedule than I have been.  My shift ended each day around 3:30 and hers started up.  It has been a long while since we were together and working opposite shifts.  I think SnackPack was in first grade the last time it happened.  We made it work.  One of the parts I liked best was that we were at least hear together.  Even though one of us was not working, we were close.

The Professor was here with us.  She filled the last few days of being off track with school work, shopping, and prepping to enter the classroom again.  

Tall Man and Ehl-Bo had some wonderful adventures this week.  We were able to visit with them a couple times this week and be edified from the time together.  We understand their week was filled with building, creating, cleaning, de-cluttering, receive a lost vehicle, and having their testimonies strengthened.  I encourage you to ask them about their personal witnesses when you have time.  I know it has helped my personal witness.

Puddin and Lady Hawkins have been on the road this week.  In addition to classes and work, they spent some time traveling to and from wedding events.  It has caused a little break in their routine, but they have learned from it and hope to learn to handle such disruptions better in the future.  It was fun be with them this weekend.

SnackPack has had a week filled with adventures of his how.  He has learned a great deal about himself and sought to make adjustments because of it.  We learned that both he and Songbird, though we don't see much of her, took steps to change places of employment.   We are excited to see them grow from the new experiences.  Hopefully there will be few sick days.

Yep, that is our week.  Hope that the week to come is filled with joy and incredible adventure.