Did you recognize the Lord's hand reaching out to you and to those you love today? Did you remember to give thanks in all things?
Yesterday was Sunday, and the Lord reached out to me and to those I love in many ways. Setting up chairs for ward conference, the sacrament, great talks by Sister and President Littlefield, and kind and friendly people reaching out to show love, such as Summer Barnes and MaryAnn McCombs and others. Sister Littlefield's talk was great. She reminded us that God loves us all, and that the burdens and trials we endure make us stronger and better people, and that instead of being angry with God, we can thank Him and tell Him that we're sorry for feeling that way, because we trust Him and know He is trying to help us and wants what is best for us. Be grateful for breath and life itself. President Littlefield's talk was also great, but before all that, the sacrament and hymns are crucial. Grace and charity. The power of the Atonement. Unity. I think of Jesus, and His great intercessory prayer, and how He is and always has been one with the Father. Jesus seeks always the will of the Father and to please Him, because He loves Him and obeys Him. It is obedience born of absolute love and loyalty and reverence, and Michael, Adam, followed in the same pattern.
I don't think that I have written about the temple experience in St. George, but our ward went to St. George, about 60 of us or so, last Saturday, and we listened to some talks about the pioneers and about their hardships in establishing St. George and building the temple, and then participated in temple ordinances and covenants, the endowment, with the new video, which is a life changing experience. A greater respect for Heavenly Father, creation, for Eve, that noble woman, and Adam, that noble man, and their choice to partake that man might be, and a greater respect for my parents, grandparents and all who have preceded us, and for the plan of Salvation and marriage. Mostly, that contrast between good and evil, that Heavenly Father's plan is born out of love, pure love, and obedience, whereas Satan and his hordes combat all that is good, and their destructive force grows out of pride, enmity, hatred, jealousy and selfishness. Jesus Christ, on the other hand, does the will of the Father, in creation, in obedience, in love, in sacrifice, and in giving his life. Charity.
I cannot possibly mention every way in which God reaches out to me, but of course some things are clear. President Littlefield's talk was about living in the world but not being of the world, about being a force for good in the world, such as one of the Apostles who ordered milk at business meetings, and thereby persuaded others to be friends and see the good in even a glass of milk as opposed to alcohol. He also mentioned the basketball video of the two white missionaries playing basketball with the black kids, and dunking all over them. Salt of the earth, City on a Hill, light to the world... and Jesus is the light that we are to hold up. He is the way the truth and the life. When our only desire is to please God, we can find deep inner peace in the midst of chaos, confusion and trials.
What think ye of Christ? was the question of the day, and priesthood meeting consisted of warnings against pornography, which was timely and necessary. Most of all, the love of Christ was manifest, especially toward those who struggle or who are tempted, which reminds me of the temple and Christ's love and concern for the one, or for his willingness to be our Savior and Redeemer. He is the center piece of the plan of salvation, and Adam and Eve are noble examples of following the Lord's plan and doing things the Lord's way.
I had a good talk with some friends, met a very interesting and lovely girl named Lori Allred, and spoke with some friends Lou Menditto and Matt Sparks, and others. Lydia Kia Ojuka came and graced us with her presence for a moment. I told her that I love her in Ugandan, since she was born in Uganda. Then Summer gave me some ear plugs. Then I had a good conversation with Mary Ann McCombs, and later, even Gina g-chatted me to say hello and that she was thinking about me. These are angels and kind souls whom I greatly respect and admire as women of God. And my dad dropped by, and my mom even called later to say hi, with a very sweet voice. I love them all, but more than ever yesterday I felt the reminder, and I was even studying the scriptures when dad came over, that we are to love our enemies, do good to them that hate us, and pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us. Charity and pure love, the pure love of Christ are the most powerful, the Holy Ghost and the word of God, the pure doctrine of Christ... that is what changes lives, and we all need help to apply the gospel, the good news more fully to our lives.
Even a comment about the NSA watching (in priesthood), and other things, reminded me of my family, my brothers and sisters... and maybe going to visit my sister Annie in San Diego, if it is God's will, in sh'allah. A touch of God's hand in my life, consisted mainly of his qualities in his children all around me, and anything that brings His love and loving kindness.
God has not, and does not abandon us, although it may sometimes feel that way. We can recognize His hand in all things, and cheerfully and patiently do all that is in our power, and watch as the plan of Salvation unfolds. Trusting in the Lord and in his timing are key, and cleaving unto Christ in all things, repenting, and exercising faith in Christ. There are many things for which I am grateful, and wish to acknowledge God's hand in my life in all things, and commit myself, and consecrate all that I am and have to doing God's will, with His grace assisting. Like Jacob said, they had many revelations daily, and power, even over the elements, but God showed their weakness, that they might know and understand that it was by the grace of God that these things were possible.
Be reconciled to God and to his will. Take counsel from His hand. Go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded. He wants us to be happy and successful in our faith and testimony, in our love and friendship, in our courtship and marriage, in our life, and His ways are higher, his thoughts are higher.
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