Believing On, How do we...?
Heyo -
How have you all been this week? Have you taken time this week to stop, reflect, and count the blessing, large and small that have come into your live because of living the gospel of Jesus Christ in your daily activities? Have you recognized his hand in the events of your life? Have you recorded them anywhere?
I have had several moments of reflection this week as I have been on the road. I have felt disconnected from family, friends, and community at home. It amazes me how much I long to know what is happening in peoples lives, but how easy it is to get caught up in the moments of life, especially work. I have had several of those as of late. While attending meetings at headquarters, I participated in an annual performance review session. It has given me much to think about. I have spent a great deal of time pondering time. As I read and ponder scripture or have accepted the invitation to study and ponder the events of the restoration, time has been on my mind. Have you ever looked at the events of scripture and tried to figure out how much happened in scripture in years respective to your life? When I think about the restoration, many focus on Joseph Smith, he did not even live as long as I have lived. What transpired in his short life time? But then again how much happens in a year, two years, or more. When we are living in the moment, it seems at times to drag on forever, but when we look back they are only brief events in life. For instance, from the time Joseph prayed in the sacred grove to the time he received the plates to start translating, how many years passed? No, how much has happened in your life in the equivalent amount of time? Have there been singular events in your life during that time that you think about every single day if not more? What are they? Have any of them been related to your Heavenly Father?
Ok, but that is just extras to think about. I have also thought about other things. Let's focus in on this week's scripture pondering: Alma 34:15
"And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of his last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance."
What is the difference between "Believing In" verses "Believing On"? Does Lucifer believe in Jesus Christ? What does Lucifer doubt Jesus Christ can do? In my mind, that is the difference. We not only have to believe that he, Jesus Christ exists, but we need to believe on, without doubt that he is capable of bring us salvation. When we believe on, our hearts are changes, our bowels are stirred, we have an overpowering desire to do those things required to live with God again.
I guess these thoughts do go with my previous thoughts. I wondered about Joseph Smith, his true yearning in prayer. It was not really to know which church to join, though that is what we normally think. His desire was to know how to receive salvation. He wanted to know the path he needed to follow to return to the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ. He wanted to receive that witness from the Holy Ghost.
Have we thought this much about our own lives? When Joseph was 7 almost 8, he was very ill. He could not use one of his legs properly. It was determined there was an infection in the bone of his leg that needed to be removed. But before that determination was made, the doctors of the day pretty much prepared the family for Joseph's death. Can you imagine being 8 and wondering what will happen after you die, because you are led to believe you are going to die soon? Have we given our mortality such thought?
Joseph did not die. But the thought of salvation was stirred within him. He thought about it often. He was concerned about his immortal soul and wanted to know how, what, when, where, and why. From all he could learn, it all pointed back to believing on Jesus Christ, not doubting, not waivering, but putting full trust in His atoning sacrifice on our behalves. This stirring led him to a life long faith of repentance, daily striving to do better. He admits that like all of us, he slipped. He had received a personal witness of why and what he needed to do, he just did not know all the hows, whens, and wheres. Those came over a life time of repenting.
That is what this verse is saying to us as well. We must have the same profound stirring within. It requires us to stretch, search, and do, every day, every day, every day.
Ok, our week -
The Queen headed out late last Sunday and spent a couple days in the Windy City. Here at home we, managed to survive without her, but it was rough. On Tuesday, we passed each other somewhere over the plains. She spent the rest of the week trying not to get sick. I am not sure it is working too well. I arrived home late Friday night and she was in a rough spot, but got up this morning to serve in the temple. I look forward to getting updates when we are together and awake.
The Professor informed me it was a busy week. She did not go into much detail other than she has worked several long days. I can completely understand where she is coming from. I have been doing the same.
I understand I missed a visit from Tall Man, Ehl-Bo, and Lego. It sounds like it was a short in and out visit, but greatly enjoyed by all. They are making several changes to their routine this semester for Tall Man's class schedule. Different days off, different hours of work, different classes all week long.
I have been out of the loop with Puddin and Lady Hawkins. Puddin reached out to me at one point this week while I was in the Windy City. I wish I had been able to focus more, I hope I answered the questions. Work was crazy this week with all the Middle East happenings.
SnackPack has been nesting. It is good, I think. Between work, friends, and long hours on the road, he has been in a creative and designing mode. I am excited to see the end product of his visions.
How have you all been this week? Have you taken time this week to stop, reflect, and count the blessing, large and small that have come into your live because of living the gospel of Jesus Christ in your daily activities? Have you recognized his hand in the events of your life? Have you recorded them anywhere?
I have had several moments of reflection this week as I have been on the road. I have felt disconnected from family, friends, and community at home. It amazes me how much I long to know what is happening in peoples lives, but how easy it is to get caught up in the moments of life, especially work. I have had several of those as of late. While attending meetings at headquarters, I participated in an annual performance review session. It has given me much to think about. I have spent a great deal of time pondering time. As I read and ponder scripture or have accepted the invitation to study and ponder the events of the restoration, time has been on my mind. Have you ever looked at the events of scripture and tried to figure out how much happened in scripture in years respective to your life? When I think about the restoration, many focus on Joseph Smith, he did not even live as long as I have lived. What transpired in his short life time? But then again how much happens in a year, two years, or more. When we are living in the moment, it seems at times to drag on forever, but when we look back they are only brief events in life. For instance, from the time Joseph prayed in the sacred grove to the time he received the plates to start translating, how many years passed? No, how much has happened in your life in the equivalent amount of time? Have there been singular events in your life during that time that you think about every single day if not more? What are they? Have any of them been related to your Heavenly Father?
Ok, but that is just extras to think about. I have also thought about other things. Let's focus in on this week's scripture pondering: Alma 34:15
"And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of his last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance."
What is the difference between "Believing In" verses "Believing On"? Does Lucifer believe in Jesus Christ? What does Lucifer doubt Jesus Christ can do? In my mind, that is the difference. We not only have to believe that he, Jesus Christ exists, but we need to believe on, without doubt that he is capable of bring us salvation. When we believe on, our hearts are changes, our bowels are stirred, we have an overpowering desire to do those things required to live with God again.
I guess these thoughts do go with my previous thoughts. I wondered about Joseph Smith, his true yearning in prayer. It was not really to know which church to join, though that is what we normally think. His desire was to know how to receive salvation. He wanted to know the path he needed to follow to return to the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ. He wanted to receive that witness from the Holy Ghost.
Have we thought this much about our own lives? When Joseph was 7 almost 8, he was very ill. He could not use one of his legs properly. It was determined there was an infection in the bone of his leg that needed to be removed. But before that determination was made, the doctors of the day pretty much prepared the family for Joseph's death. Can you imagine being 8 and wondering what will happen after you die, because you are led to believe you are going to die soon? Have we given our mortality such thought?
Joseph did not die. But the thought of salvation was stirred within him. He thought about it often. He was concerned about his immortal soul and wanted to know how, what, when, where, and why. From all he could learn, it all pointed back to believing on Jesus Christ, not doubting, not waivering, but putting full trust in His atoning sacrifice on our behalves. This stirring led him to a life long faith of repentance, daily striving to do better. He admits that like all of us, he slipped. He had received a personal witness of why and what he needed to do, he just did not know all the hows, whens, and wheres. Those came over a life time of repenting.
That is what this verse is saying to us as well. We must have the same profound stirring within. It requires us to stretch, search, and do, every day, every day, every day.
Ok, our week -
The Queen headed out late last Sunday and spent a couple days in the Windy City. Here at home we, managed to survive without her, but it was rough. On Tuesday, we passed each other somewhere over the plains. She spent the rest of the week trying not to get sick. I am not sure it is working too well. I arrived home late Friday night and she was in a rough spot, but got up this morning to serve in the temple. I look forward to getting updates when we are together and awake.
The Professor informed me it was a busy week. She did not go into much detail other than she has worked several long days. I can completely understand where she is coming from. I have been doing the same.
I understand I missed a visit from Tall Man, Ehl-Bo, and Lego. It sounds like it was a short in and out visit, but greatly enjoyed by all. They are making several changes to their routine this semester for Tall Man's class schedule. Different days off, different hours of work, different classes all week long.
I have been out of the loop with Puddin and Lady Hawkins. Puddin reached out to me at one point this week while I was in the Windy City. I wish I had been able to focus more, I hope I answered the questions. Work was crazy this week with all the Middle East happenings.
SnackPack has been nesting. It is good, I think. Between work, friends, and long hours on the road, he has been in a creative and designing mode. I am excited to see the end product of his visions.
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