So today is Sunday. I spent almost 5 hours at church. We went early for choir practice and stayed late for a baptism. It was all fabulous! I love singing. Admittedly, I am not a great singer, but I think I can blend well with others. I love the way it makes me feel and how it has the potential to make others feel.
Today was our ward conference. Our stake leaders were there to teach the lessons. In sacrament meeting, Bishop Squires talked about the importance of keeping our covenants. He made reference to the Old Testament kings that made poor choices or even openly rebelled against God's commandments. This not only affected the kings themselves, but ultimately the entire kingdom. He spoke of mothers and the role they play in teaching their children the importance of keeping covenants and obeying commandments. Not only by word, but by their example.
After the Bishop spoke, the choir sang "How Gentle God's Commands". The choir director talked to us in practice before church about how Heavenly Father's requests of us are so small in comparison with the rewards and blessings that he gives in return for our obedience. It is so true. I have been greatly blessed in my life for living by the counsel of the scriptures and wise leaders who guide us under the direction of a loving Heavenly Father. His commands are gentle and loving and while many see them as restrictions, I see them as protection.
President McArthur spoke after we sang. He spoke of the Savior's admonition to love others as He has loved us. A gentle command if I've ever heard one. We need to love everyone. He gave examples in the scriptures of his disciples sending people away. Not wanting to bother Jesus with unimportant things. The Savior always wanted to see those the apostles deemed not worthy of Jesus' time. The little children, the Samaritan woman at the well, or the sinner woman. He wanted to see them all. They all mattered to Him. Not just those who were considered worthy by the world. He wants us to love EVERYONE. Not just those who are easy to love or are living worthy of His love. All are worthy of the Savior's love. ALL! It is such a basic element of the gospel. A simple principle that I have heard thousands of times over the years since joining the church. And yet, I need to be reminded. I am expected to love everyone, even when it isn't easy. President McArthur also talked about the importance of not labeling people. We needed to be careful of judging unrighteously. This really made me think. He said that to be ready for the celestial kingdom, we must be able to see others the way the Lord sees them. Looking past the surface and into the hearts of those around us. NOT judging them. A powerful reminder.
In our Sunday school class, one brother (I didn't catch his name) talked about sacred spiritual experiences. He focused on the youth and how especially during the summer, our kids have the opportunity to have those experiences at activities like EFY, Youth Conference, Girls Camp, Trek and other such activities. He focused on the importance of trying to have those experiences more than just on rare occasions, but to try every day to have them. He talked about how once we know of the spiritual, it can help us to distinguish between promptings of the spirit and the temptations of Satan. He mentioned that we should record our spiritual experiences and reflect on them. He referenced a talk by one of the general authorities that talked about the importance of looking for God's hand in our lives daily and recording that. I write in my journal daily, but I have a real tendency to focus on the negative. Kind of a way to vent. I plan to focus on the positive from here on out.
President Hunt also spoke in Sunday school. He focused on forgiveness. He reminded me that forgiveness is a commandment and we are required to forgive all. No matter what they have done and even if they never apologize or repent for the actions that have hurt or offended us. I know these things. They are no big new revelation. So why when we know the things we need to do, do we NOT do them? I am grateful for a patient, loving Heavenly Father who gently reminds us of what we need to do and gives us wonderful examples of people in the scriptures and in our lives who set the example of how it can be done.
In Relief Society, President McArthur spoke again to the sisters. He focused on Psalms 101. It only has 8 verses. He spent the entire 40 minutes speaking on these 8 verses.
1. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
The Lord will judge us, but will also extend his great mercy. Shouldn't we also extend mercy to others, if we hope for him to do so for us?
2. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
It is impossible for us to have a perfect heart on our own. We need to come unto Him seeking help to accomplish that. Our homes are suppose to be sacred places. We often focus on the material and the outward appearance. We need to have perfect hearts, NOT perfect homes.
3. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
We need to be careful about what we expose ourselves too. Television, the internet, literature are all wonderful things, but can be dangerous if we are not careful. The church offers a daily spiritual start for our youth through the seminary program. If we likewise start our day with prayer and scripture study, we can build a shield of protection around ourselves to help shelter us from the "wicked" things of the world.
4. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
We probably all know a wicked person or two. How can you not? Unless you live in a bubble, you get exposed to them whether you want to or not. At work, school, or even the grocery store. We do not however need to associate ourselves with what makes them 'wicked'. We can choose to love the person and not the sin.
5. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Gossip is not acceptable and we should not only choose not to spread gossip, but should also choose not to listen to it. We should also not consider ourselves better than others even if, or especially because they are different than ourselves.
6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
If we hope to be perfected, we will do so by serving Heavenly Father. We do that by serving
all those around us.
7. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
To me, this one is fairly obvious. The Lord does not tolerate lying and deceit. We all do this at some point in our lives. Thankfully He has provided repentance.
8. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
President McArthur did not have time to get to this verse. I believe this verse however can provide sufficient motivation for ongoing repentance.
I am forever in awe of President McArthur and his vast knowledge of the scriptures. The wonderful news is that we can have that same knowledge if we but apply ourselves. I am starting an online Book of Mormon class offered by BYU's continuing education department. It doesn't cost anything, and can be done at my own pace. I am looking forward to learning more about the scriptures.
After church, we went to see the baptism of the Bishop's daughter. It was a wonderful reminder of the covenants made at my own baptism. It is good to go back and remember the covenants that we make. It helps to remind us and keep us focused. The covenants are as follows...
1. Come into the fold of God (become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ).
2. Be called his son or daughter (take upon me the name of Christ).
3. Bear others’ burdens, that they may be light; mourn with those that
mourn; and comfort those in need of comfort (help others).
4. Stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all
places (testify of Christ and set a good example at all times).
5. Serve God and keep his commandments.
Simple, gentle commands.
Finally, I wanted to share the words of a song that the mother of the girl getting baptized sang. The song is "What Heaven Sees in You". It brought tears to her eyes as she sang and mine as I thought about what those words meant.
Sent to this earth
You were saved through the ages for this day and time
Child of great worth
Child of promise, daughter of the Divine
Pure and holy in a little, white dress
You were held in a circle and you were blessed
And the Father looked down
And the angels surrounded that place
They knew the truth, all that you could do
And you will, too, if you have eyes to see
What heaven sees in you
Dressed in white once more
Making promises to follow God's way
So much lies in store
For the little girl who enters at the gate
Pure and hole in a little, white dress
You were led into the water and you were blessed
Do you understand who you are
Part of the Father lives in you
If you continue on this path
Every promise God has given will come true
Heaven on earth
In the house of God, so much fills your heart and mind
Woman of great worth
Woman of promise, daughter of the Divine
Pure and holy in a long, white dress
You promise forever and you are blessed
And the Father looks down
And the angels surround that place
They know the truth, all that you can do
And you do, too, 'cause you have eyes to see
What heaven sees in you
Will you have eyes to see
What heaven sees in you?
I very often forget what my potential can be and how much I know Heavenly Father loves me. I get so wrapped up in the day to day grind of life and easily get discouraged. This song is a wonderful reminder that God sees my full potential. He sees past my fears and mistakes and knows me better than I know myself. I love the feeling of spiritual renewal that can come from the gospel. The peace that it brings. The simple and gentle commands of a loving Heavenly Father are meant to help us reach our full potential, not restrict us.
Today was wonderful!
