Justice & Mercy

Jesus Christ is the only way to the father (John 14:6). It is he who makes it possible for us to return. It is him that offers himself a sacrifice for our sin. I don't think that I will ever fully understand  how that works. But I am grateful for it. I am grateful for the knowledge that he will be there on my side when I come to him with a contrite heart.

It is the job of each individual that when they have received that  knowledge and it is burning within that they should share it. Share What you have. Lehi talking to his son Jacob said "....how great the importance to make these known unto the inhabitants of the earth.... Now is the time that each one who has received these things must stand up and declare the great things that our Heavenly Father has done.

Lehi goes on to teach his son that it is only through the Messiah that ressurection of all mankind will come to pass. Because he has done this we are able to come to God. What a powerful lesson. Christ allows us to come and stand before God and he will plead our case. If we accept him and repent.

There is a law. That law has a penalty. All have transgressed that law. Just being human we will and do have a need for the mercy to be extended to us! We would be lost without our elder brother Jesus the Christ. He stands to make in Lehi's words an Intercession for man. He will bridge the gap.

Being There

The Lord watches over all of us. He is looking to help. He will send his spirit. He offers us his consolation to be comforted; to call on him and he will comfort us. The Lord also has said that as brothers we need to go forth, visit with one another. Find out things that are going on in the lives of the people that were serving. Being patient in all things. The main purpose is so that you can be an instrument in the hands of the Lord being a good example first and then going forth to save many souls.

When we are watchful over those who we come in contact with and have our eyes open to the needs of our friends and family. We can be led by the Spirit to ask certain questions. Those questions give answers to prayers. Those who have been or are very patient in  their sufferings. They might never let on or tell you that something is wrong. But the spirit will guide if you have your eyes ears and hearts open. 

When trials and heartaches come it's important that we listen to the Lord that we pray. The Lord has promised us that he will be there for us. He will use his servants as instruments to be guided to those who need help in the time of need.

Scripture chain: Alma 17:10 - 11; 20:29; 26:27

Instruments

A father and son were talking in the car. The young man was so enthused about a piece of aviation knowledge that he had learned from his church leader who is a pilot. The church leader explained to the young man that when there is dense fog he has to  trust his instruments. He talked about how sometimes he has only 200 feet of visibility before touching ground. Hopefully if his instruments had worked correctly he would be just fine.

The father thought about this for a moment and asked his son what kind of instruments he thought might be guiding his life? What did he rely on in his life? At first the boy did not understand. With a gentle prod the light bulbs began to work.

The father explained that in the dense fog of life there are instruments that one can and must rely on. The greatest blessing is that of the Holy Ghost. When listened to the spirit is our navigator to safety. The spirit warns of danger. It lifts when we can't make it on our own.

Another, instrument is our scriptures. When needed the scriptures guide us to a sure knowledge of our intended course.

Just like the pilot talking to the tower to assure the pilot, prayer, is our communication with our Heavenly Father.

Then, other help is offered by parents, leaders, people who have walked the path that is currently being walked. 

There are a host of instruments at our disposal if we are willing to use them. Look around at what is available to you and use the best of what the Lord has to offer to bring you safely home!

***President Uchtdorf' "Of Things That Matter Most" October Conference 2010

***President Uchtdorf " We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down" April Conference 2009    

The Lord Is My Deliverer

When called the Savior responded "Not my will, but thine be done." He offered himself a ransom for me. So often I take for granted the simpleness of the atonement. If followed we have a promise that he will lead us out of the devoureer's reach. He will deliver us to the place we want to be...forever with him for eternity, For some that maybe hard to fully comprehend.

Because of the Savior Jesus Christ you and I have the ability to go back and live with the father again. A temporal blessing of accepting this gift is true happiness. Yes, it takes work. It takes trial and even sacrifice but if we are willing to shirk off the world and the natural man we will be happy.

Deliverer means to me that I will be lead to a better place than where I have been. That the Lord will guide my footsteps as I am humble and pliable. When faith is exercised Christ is there to hold me up. When trial comes and my heart grows weary Christ is there.

The Lord knows our pain. He suffered so he could help us. He had to know what it felt like to show us the Eminence amount of love the father has for us. What a beautiful thought it is that he is guiding me.

My favorite portrait of the Savior is of a Young man in heavy seas stirring a boat. The Savior is pictured standing behind the captain of the ship pointing the way. The Hymn says "Dark the night of sin hath settled loud the angry billows roar. Eager eyes are watching longing for the lights along the shore" He is the light on the shore that will deliver us to the Father of Heaven and earth.

The Lord is my Rock

Where do you want to stand?
Some prefer to stand on shifting sand and are blown about. Others seek shelter and safety and wander looking for the protection of some unseen savior. But to no avail their efforts are fruitless. Some place their trust in a higher power. They exercise faith and seek the better part. As they hold out for the end they will find the tree of life. The fruit exquisite. The feelings, awesome!

The Lord is My Rock-
The word rock inferred that the things around us are firm, steady and ready to be a sure foundation. Testimony must be built upon such a place. Like the child's game "King of the Rock" the world is always trying to tear down the pure and simple. Those who make Christ the center can not and will not fall. Jesus Christ is the firm and steady foundation where peace is found, and serenity gained.
In Christ we are able to be immovable. We are able to ground ourselves in the sure hope of truth. He is there for us to lean on. He will even carry us if needed.

The picture of Christ standing at the door knocking has always stirred emotions. He longs for us to follow him. He asks us to trust in him.

Many of times it may seems as though there has not been anything secure around us. Sometimes the way may be hopeless. The truth is that,  that is when we must call on our faith...to bring our hearts and minds together.

There was a young man whose family was less active. The young man came to church each week. He sat on the front row after sacrament was through being passed to the congregation. The young man enjoyed being at church because that was the only place where he felt safe. He was a loud young man. He tried all of his leaders patience but they never pushed him away. (That was the beauty of the Church of Jesus Christ) They met the youth where he was . The church offered Fellowship to the boy. They gave him a second home. In time the youth would grow up. But the simple little acts of kindness and love built a testimony that could not be shaken.

The Lord uses his servants to build up his children. We need one another to make it through this experience that we call earth life.

The Lord is My Fortress

Moroni in Chapter 50 of the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon fortified the cities. He did so in a very unique way. He dug up the earth creating a bowl effect he created spear fences. He was caring and preparing for when the enemy might return.

The interesting thing about Moroni is that he was fortifying a city but how could we fortify our individual lives. Before we can expect to fortify a city, the individual must take measures to fortify themselves.

A missionary shared the following example.
While Satan has refined his tools the things that we have to be doing is making are war chest stronger as well. So whats inside?
The Scriptures
Our Family
Church Magazines
Church Activities
Magnifying Church callings
Hometeaching
Family History
Missionary Work

Each of these things build up our defenses and provide in us an unshakable faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in his Church on earth today. As we are willing to put aside the things of man we pick up the things of God!

Seek To Be Taught

A man walked out of his home and looked into his yard. He longed to have the yard look beautiful and lush. Over time he just could never get exactly what he was looking for. He had the idea in his mind of what he wanted it to look like.  It just was lacking something. He just kept doing what he thought was right. He would take unsolicited advice when it was given but he would never ask. He could not bring himself to admit that the problem might be that he needed a little help or even a fresh perspective.

The man's wife knew how much the yard meant to him and even offered her thoughts. She would leave books around the house of little helpful hints. Her hope was that he would take the initiative to inquire from something more than he was then employing.

Finally one day the man broke down and asked another man his thoughts. The man's friend had won awards for gardening and landscape. he did not flaunt it. No one knew in the neighborhood that the friend was so skilled. The man's friend smiled and said I thought you would never ask. 

The two men worked together for three weeks. The yard was beginning to look like the picture that he had envisioned. The man was so pleased. He had finally accomplished his task and was able to find joy in the labors of his work.

Our lives are like the Man's yard. We have goals we have things that we want to accomplish but because of our pride we forget to seek the help of him who knows all. Seek to know. Prophets have asked questions and have been filled with wisdom, knowledge and a desire to help others.

Lehi a prophet of the Book of Mormon was concerned for himself he heard the words of church leaders to repent and so he asked God. The scripture says that as he prayed a pillar of fire came and dwelt before him on a rock. While there he was taught; he was shown the will of the Lord. 

Our prayers may not be that dramatic. Most won't ever have that grand of an experience. However that sweet spirit of being taught can and will come into our hearts and minds if one is willing to seek to be taught. Seek to learn as much as possible both temporal and spiritual for knowledge is Power!