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Tuesday, September 13, 2005

 

Enlightening Enlightenment -Day 4: 3rd Nephi 12 to 17 pages 430-440

In the first half of today's reading Christ is teaching the Nephites "all that he taught" in his ministry among the Jews.

First he teaches Faith, Repentance and Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Beatitudes follow with a list of promised blessings for the faithful.
Then he admonishes us to be the "salt of the earth" and not loose our savor.
He admonishes us to be a "light on a hill" to show our neighbors the light of the gospel and a candle on a candlestick to our families in our homes.
He then lists the cardinal sins: murder, anger, slander, contention, lust and adultery and not only forbids their act, as was the Law of Moses, but even forbids us to even consider these acts.
Avoid false oath taking, and seeking revenge.
Turn the other cheek and go the extra mile.
Love our neighbor and even pray for our enemies
Be perfect, as He and the Father are perfect.
Do our charity, prayers and fasts in secret.
Pray to the Father in simple straightforward language.
Seek not the treasures of the earth.
Serve God not Satan
Trust in the Lord to provide.
Seek first the kingdom of God.
Judge not with unrighteous judgments.
Protect holy things from mockery.
Seek knowledge and blessings from God.
Beware of false prophets; judge them by their fruits.
Base our lives on the foundation of Christ and His Gospel.

Reading the words of Christ makes me feel like a child: happy, at peace, loved. I can feel the love come through his words. If it feels soooooooooo good, then why am I such a Wicked Sloth-Monkey that I don't read the scriptures everyday?????? (A wicked sloth-monkey is family slang for someone who is quick to make mischief, but slow to do good.)

These verses really touched my heart. 3rd Nephi 12: [13] Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.

[14] Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

[15] Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;

[16] Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

I have received a commission to be a light unto my family. It's not an easy job. Twenty-nine years ago, I thought I would have my Muslim husband converted within 6 months. He was (and still is) a good and righteous man: a man of God, a wonderful and loving husband and father… but he has ignored my "light".

Now I have four wonderful and righteous, godly children (yes, I know the youngest one is being a prodigal son nowadays, but deep inside him I know is a wonderful, righteous and godly person because that's what I trained him to be.) It takes a lot of faith for me to keep the hope alive that someday (in the next world, if not this one) they will feel the Spirit touch their hearts, their eyes will open for the first time and they will see that I hold a gift of light for them.

It's hard to keep burning a light that no one can see, but me. And yet, if I let that light go out…. I will be in darkness also.

LHS, came home last night and I was working at the computer. I forgot to ask him for a "return home hug".

"Hey!" he chided me, "You forgot to ask for a hug." I jumped up and went towards him.

This 6 foot 2 inch 20 year old then ran away stiff-legged in a toddler like "run" "I'm running away from the crazy woman who wants to hug me." He laughed. For a brief second I remembered him as my curly haired mischievous 2 year old: always laughing; always making others laugh.

I laughed, gave chase, and we embraced. We are beginning to genuinely enjoy each other's company again.

He actually enrolled in college and started classes yesterday!!! That's quite a miracle when you stay up all night and sleep all day since the college doesn't offer bedside admissions or have 24-hour office timings.

I'm finding myself less resentful of having to clean up after his messes. Before I started this program of daily reading, I was carrying the load alone. Now I have a daily dose of the Spirit and my burdened has been lightened and my heart is strengthened. I had started to feel like I had a live-in enemy. Now I have hope that I will have a loving son again.

3rd Nephi 12: [43] And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy;

[44] But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;

That is very hard to do when the "enemy who despitefully uses you" is member of your family. For me, it is impossible, but with hope and help from the Holy Spirit, it seems easier. I've seen this happen so many times in my life before. When I am out of touch with the Spirit I get overburdened, stressed out and discouraged. When I seek the Lord through consistent study and prayer, I feel my burdens lighten. The situations don't change, but my ability to handle them does. I'm feeling this help, this enlightment of my soul and easing of my burdens already.

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