Meekness

To be meek is to show great strength, while still being humble, teachable. It is showing a willingness that you will do what is right no matter the cost. It is standing up when others are sitting down. It is seeking truth amidst the mud and the muck of the modern world. It is defending righteousness even though it might not be the most popular. The meek are obedient!

When Moses was called to be a prophet the Leviticus 26:41 tells us that he was more meek than anyone else on the earth. Moses did not think himself to be special. He knew what was expected and he went and did what was needed. He was bold. When he needed help or had a concern he had a conversation with the Lord. Through his faith the Lord was able to answer those prayers. 

Servants of Christ represent him and teach with humility and love. Paul, taught the people of Corinth that he represented the Savior and the Father as a missionary. He taught them it was as if the God the Father or Jesus Christ were there. He was not boasting. He was helping them understand. It is teaching with Love and humility that we come to learn and understand the principles of the gospel. Have you ever noticed how our church leaders help us learn with compassion and love. I have sat in many interviews when I have been loving taught a better way to accomplish my responsibilities. I was shown what need to happen not by force, but by love. That in turn has helped me to try it in my home as I preside there. 

Those who are teachable and humble will understand the things of God and rejoice in Christ. As we are meek we come to another level of understanding. We put into action the lessons taught. We seek to be better.In this pursuit we find peace. We seek in fact to be as Christ, perfect in all things.

Part of this things called meekness is learning. President Uchdorf in a recent Friend article taught that for Latter Day Saints learning is a commandment. Everyday, every minute our minds need not be idle. this life is a time to learn all we can. Gain as much education as you can. Learn from all you do. Ask yourself what can I learn from this (whatever this is).

As we walk with that attitude of learning we will develop talents that will give us experience to make it through the next challenge. The things that we develop help us on our journey here on earth. Not only do they bless our lives but the lives of others. We are able to be instruments in the lives of others.

The Atonement to me....

I was in caught in traffic going over the mountain pass today. The workers had traffic down to a one way road  causing a 45 minute wait. As I sat there I went to my phone to find something to read. I read Elder C Scott Grow's talk form April Conference. I felt the spirit so strong I started to weep and sat the phone down. I thought about the Atonement and what in means to me. I thought about how far reaching the Atonement is. Then I thought about how it is apart of everything that we do. It was a small moment that I had, but I came home and recommitted myself to share my thoughts more here. 

To me the Atonement is the vehicle that the Savior has given us to return home to live with him. It seems to me as though the Savior has said to me "I know you, and I know you need help. I give it freely!" Many times I have thought how is that possible. Or why would he do that for me. When I ask myself those questions the only answer I can come up with is that he loves me! That means that he knows me! He wants me to succeed. And wants to insure that I have the help when I need it. It is not a matter of if I need it. It is when I need his help. I know that when I need help he is there to carry my load. The Atonement gives me hope to keep going amongst the craziness of  life. The Atonement provides light during the darkness of trial. 

He saw to it that not one soul would be lost as long as we turn to him. The Lord does not turn his back on us. Everyone of us is important to our father, so also to the Son. With that in mind everything that we do has something to do with the Atonement. The Atonement of Jesus Christ reaches everything temporal and spiritual. It is up to us to find the lessons that can be learned and take them into our lives.

He paid the price for my short comings. 

He marked a path and all he asks is that we follow him. 

Integrity

There once was a man who owned a shipping company. He recieved daily shipments from all over the world. He had a man who was retiring who had been an incredible asset to him. Knowing that it would be very hard to vfind someone just like him he went in search of two to accomplish the task.

One day his oldest son, Alan came to the owner and asked his father for some work. The owner told him that he did have an opening and put the young man to work on the docks doing inventory. The days turned to weeks and the son was working out so well that he asked another of his sons to help out to even out thre work load. The other son Steve agreed and he came to work. At first all was well both brothers worked side by side. They talked of little but liked working together. Both brothers were being paid the same rate and were doing great. Six months past and Alan came back from lunch one day with a grin so wide and a spring to his step. Steve asked what he was so excited about. Then Alan replied that he had just recieved a large wage increase. That he was able to get his needs met just that much more quickly.  Steve just smiled and went about his work. At the end of the work day he went to his father and asked about why Alan had recieved a raise and he had not. The father replied that Alan had been doing a really good job. Feeling the rage Steve responded; "what does he do that I do not." "Well..."  The father started. "Let me answer your question with a question. What do you see, in these invoices."  He handed the invoices to Steve. Steve rifled through the stack. He told his father that the invoices had all the information and the amout of product in each box. The father looked at him and said "now go verify the order." That was his job look at the invoice and make sure that what was there was really there. So Steve walked out to the dock. Muttering all the while and fretting about the days events. About 20 minutes later Steve was back in his fathers office. He handed the manifest to his father. He looked at it and complimented the work that his son had performed. After looking at the work and evaluating the effort put forth by his son he gave him another manifest. This one was completed. The father asked what do you notice about this invoice? Other than the fact that it was completed by your Brother. Steve scanned the documents and started to recognize a pattern. Each item had been accounted for. Each box opened and attention to detail was made with each box on the manifest. He had actually made the effort to make sure that what the manifest said was there, was there. His goal was not to loose the company any profit because of a misaccounting. He had been perfect in all he did for his father. Steve looked at the papers, then back at his father and whispered I understand. He hung his head low and retreated from the office knowing what he had to do to be worthy of a raise.

Rightous Living

Every day we have the opportunity to choose the right. The beauty of the gospel is that we have that opportunity. The privilege and right to choose is among the greatest of all blessings that we have during our earth life. 

Along with it being a blessing it is our responsibility to make choices that are in harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Choosing to follow the savior means to seek his will in all things. It means taking the time to make sure your testimony is intact daily. It means that we are continuously asking ourselves what we could do to be better.

Taking upon ourselves this responsibility prepares us for when the trials of life beat down upon us. At these times we find a peace in knowing that the decisions that are crucial have already been made. We can be sure not to stray from the path that leads us to eternal life.

Learning to know who the Savior is comes with daily prayer and scripture study. Daily prayer, brings us the opportunity to talk with our heavenly father. We humble ourselves to ask for help and express our heartfelt thanks for the blessings that are ours. The scriptures provide a means for the Father to speak to your heart and mind. Scriptures provide us with examples and offer a clear understanding for us to accomplish the things that we are asked to do.

Righteous living can be summed up in living the primary hymn “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus.”  We must be ever watchful that we are living to be like the Savior.  Striving daily to be like the Savior will not only bless our own lives, but it allows us the opportunity and desire to serve others.

Humble Followers of Christ

Where do you see yourself? How do you see yourself? Do you look for opportunities to serve? Do you have the   desire to choose the right?
Daily inspection of self is needed to ensure that pride is not edging its nose into the tent as it were. Pride is one of those things that comes on little by little until it has ensnared you and weighed you down. It is just like the man who was camping. He set up his tent and got out of the elements to shelter him from the cold. When the camel poked his head in from out in the cold and asked if he could just put the tip of his nose in and the man allowed him. Soon it was his head, then his shoulders then half of his body and then the man was out of the tent because the camel was left inside.
Humilty is not drawing attention to yourself. Seeking to be of service. The humble follower of Christ is the quiet countless acts of service. Those who seek to serve others over himself. It is trying hard to follow the example of Christ that we are blessed. We are able to find happiness and peace and work hard at performing an extraordinary work.

Charity

Moroni 7:45-47

45And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 46Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 47But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Charity

Tom, was a young man who was a little rough around the edges, to put it mildly. He wanted so badly to be liked and accepted and yet everyone could not understand him. He was a nerd.  No matter how you slice it the kid was awkward. Everything he did had to be followed up with because even his best work left much to be desired. There was no one who wanted to work with him. If his name was tied to theirs then it would be social suicide.

Ben moved in next door to Tom. Ben could see that what Tom really needed was a friend. Sure he was a little rough and sure he was awkward. Overall he was a nice guy that had feelings too. So Ben decided to be his friend.

At first Ben felt like he had bit off more than he could chew. There was no way that he could get the Tom to stop acting like ….. well, Tom. He was socially retarded and could not appreciate the help others were trying to provide.

Ben kept at it. Many asked him why he kept trying to get Tom to do certain things. Why he didn’t allow Tom to bother him. His answer came always quick and clear. “He’s my Brother.” people would shake their heads an walk away.

Even when it is hard we have to persevere through the hard times to reap the fruits of a lesson learned. Sometimes the lesson may never be learned. In this case our backs should never be turned from those we are striving to serve. What if the whole world had the attitude of, “he’s my brother.” The world would be a much better place. We should be willing to work hard to attain such an attitude. How important it is for us to be willing to suffer all we have to invite others into our circle, put an arm around them and help them feel good.

Throughout this process of learning and working together we need to remember that our attitudes, good attitudes go a long way. Seek the good in everyone and everything.  People are more apt to try your way of thinking when they feel loved. Being kind is a fruit of expressing charity.

Don’t worry about what others are doing. Worry about yourself.  (Isn’t that what your Mom used to say.) Don’t worry about what you don’t have. Focus on your talents and make them better. To many people focus on the  things that are beyond their control. They get offended and find that they are off that course that leads back home. What you are doing and the path you are walking is what makes us unique.

Focusing on what you are doing, does not mean to build yourself up. It does not mean to be prideful. I mean to have your focus on centering your life around the Savior.

Seek the good things. It is amazing how your perspective changes when you are looking for the good in everything.  Surrounding yourself with good things helps you to avoid even the appearance of evil.

We have to live in this world. We do not have to participate in everything that it has to offer. Set a course and plough through. Seek the guidance of the spirit and you will be blessed with happiness, joy and a peace to see your way through the trials that life throws at you.

Evil, is just part of living at this very special time in history. Coming to know Christ and feeling his love, helps you know the way to go. That special guidance will help you avoid evil. We must be able to identify evil. Recognize the very cunning enticing of the evil one. Then, run the opposite way!

Salvation: The great work that must be done!

Never at any time in history has it been more exciting. We have more technology than just 20 years ago we could have dreamed of. We are seeing the dreams of many become realized. We are also seeing What Moses saw as a faithless generation. No other time in history has it been of more import to be engaged in the work of Salvation.

Each of us must respond to those in distress. Many stand in need of rescue. They are lost in a wilderness of dross. This world is full of the distracting sloth that Satan stands at the helm. The world leads many in the ways of seeking riches and things that will satisfy the moment but never do they satisfy the eternal nature of things. In fact they dull the senses and as Nephi says"Satan, carefully  drags you down to Hell!

Our call is watch over all who stand in need of comfort. To be there when times are bleak. To build each other up not tear anyone down. There are those who want even need us to sit and listen. There are times when just sitting in a friends home listening to the what he has to say, prove to be the testimony builder that they need.

We never can truly know how much of an effect we will have on another. The great feelings that swell inside because you were willing to share. From a smile to a conversation it is the the things in between that rescue the lost and bring them back into the fold of God. Great will be your joy in the kingdom of my father if it so be that that you bring one soul unto him.

Bringing others to Christ is the miracle of the gospel. It changes not only them but you as well. You feel within you the spirit. You recognize the promptings and act on them. You seek the power and receive it from on high. The Lord told Joseph Smith that if you will open your mouth it would be filled.

Seek for the inspiration and the ability to carry out this wondrous work!