Christmas Is Christ

The Christ Child

Mosiah 2: 8 And he shall be called ^aJesus ^bChrist, the ^cSon of God, the^dFather of heaven and earth, the ^eCreator of all things from the beginning; and his ^fmother shall be called Mary.

Yesterday during the sacrament at church, I turned my thoughts from usually thinking about Christs sacrifice for me, to imagining the baby Jesus.  I thought of him as an infant...small and vulnerable but still, my savior and king.  I was drawn to to the innocence of a child and how He maintained that innocence and lack of sin throughout his whole life. That initial thinking of the tiny babe led me to the reason we take the sacrament.  To weekly partake of forgiveness and make ourselves, or rather, take advantage of Christ's atonement to become without sin and forgiven again. How grateful I am for that baby born into the world...

That Which Is Good.....

"But behold, that which is of God inveiteth and enticeth to do good continually, wherefore, everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good and to love God, and to serve Him, is inspired of God."

Moroni 7:13

I love this whole chapter...really a blueprint for our lives.

Preserving Marriage

“Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.” -3 Nephi 18:21

I believe that the a strong home and marriage is the foundation to our society and our own happieness.  I know all too well that things happen and this perfect situtation doesn't always happen as we hope and dream it will, but in the meantime, let's do everything we can in our power to see that it does.

I've found a website that I like that gives advice on how to do just that.  Here are links to some things we can do:

Working Daily On Your Marriage

10 Things Husband's Should Never Do In A Marriage

10 Things Wives's Should Never Do In A Marriage

Moral Decay in Society

Last week was the LDS General Conference where we were treated to around 10 hours of talks from leaders.  I've been watching one every day to try to review and soak in some of the advice and counsel given.  The talk from Elder Quentin Cook was striking to me as he talked about the moral decay of society worldwide.  I realize that I cannot be lax in my own spiritual health as well as that of my families.

"Today moral deterioration has escalated. One prominent writer recently said, “Everyone knows the culture is poisonous, and nobody expects that to change.”5 The constant portrayal of violence and immorality in music, entertainment, art, and other media in our day-to-day culture is unprecedented. This was dramatically described by a highly respected Baptist theologian when he stated, “The spiritual immune system of an entire civilization has been wounded.”

C. S. Lewis, the striving, pragmatic Christian writer, poignantly framed the issue. He asserted that Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness; but until people know and feel they need forgiveness, Christianity does not speak to them. He stated, “When you know you are sick, you will listen to the doctor.”11

Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment.8 The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment.9 When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance.10 Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined."

Shouldering The Task Alone

In preparation for Easter this year, I've been reading a new book out about out called God So Loved The World, which focuses on the last week of Christ's life and what happened on each day.  I've really wanted to gain a better understanding of Him and what He went through for me and for you.  I have slowly started to understand better how the scriptures from the beginning of time had prophesied about this week and everything that Christ went through had symbolic meaning to it.  It didn't just happen. As the end of the week became nearer, it was necessary for literally the weight of the world to fall on His shoulders alone so that the process of the Atonement could take full effect.  I don't understand how or why this was necessary, only have faith that it was.  I love this quote....

"Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke of this, "the loneliest journey ever made and the unending blessing it brought to all in the human family...., the Savior's solitary task of shouldering alone the burden of our salvation." As a result of what Jesus has done for us, Elder Holland testified that "one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so.  His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path...Trumpeted from the summit of calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are."

Prepare, then Ask

I have always found the story of the brother Jared to be very interesting.  I think it was fascinating that he took matters into his own hands and had the faith to go before the Lord to present his plan for light.  I found a quote from President Harold B. Lee that was very meaningful.  I think it balances the idea of faith and using your own mind to get things done.

"This is the principle in action.  If you want the blessing, don't just kneel down and pray about it.  Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to receive the blessing you seek." -President Harold B. Lee.

Mormon 7

Mormon chapter 7 is only 9 verses long, but how powerful they are.  They are Mormon's last words to us as he gets closer to the end of his life.  Verses 1-7 teaches us what we need to know, and verses 8-9 teaches us what we need to do.  Read this short chapter today.  It will make a difference how you live your life today.

True Believers in Christ

In 4 Nephi, we read that the people were true believers in Christ.  What does that mean?

- True believers are settled in their views of Christ

- True believers gladly perform their duties in the kingdom

- True believers are humble

- True believers are willing to do what Christ wants

- True believers have a balanced contentment

- True believers truly pray

- True believers have both right conduct and right reasons for that conduct

- True believers rejoice in the success of others

- True believers remember that forgetting is part of the forgiving

- True believers are innocent as to sin, but not naive

- True believers are happy

Today, think about how you measure up to each of these.

How Do You Feel About The Scriptures?

I feel like I make a really good effort to read the scriptures on a nearly daily basis and I also feel that I receive blessings, understanding and spiritual protection by following the commandments.  However...this morning while reading, I came across a quote from Pres. Hinckley that made me wonder and think that I am probably not to where I need to be yet.  Where do you fall?

"I am grateful for emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine."