Discipleship

Another very good, precise talk by Elder Maxwell. I need to look up more of his talks, they are so insightful! Part of this is from: Neal A. Maxwell, “The Pathway of Discipleship,” Ensign, Sep 1998,  7, from a talk given at a Church Educational System fireside at BYU on 4 January 1998.

"...the taking of Jesus’ yoke upon us constitutes serious discipleship. There is no greater calling, no greater challenge, and no greater source of joy—both proximate joy and ultimate joy—than that which is found in the process of discipleship. This process brings its own joys and reassurances. We must not, however, expect the world to understand or to value our discipleship; they will not. In a way, they may admire us from afar, but they will be puzzled about the priorities resulting from our devotion.
Shouldering the yoke of discipleship greatly enhances both our adoration and knowledge of Jesus, because then we experience, firsthand, through our parallel but smaller-scaled experiences, a small but instructive portion of what the Savior experienced. In this precious process, the more we do what Jesus did—allow our wills to be 'swallowed up in the will of the Father'—the more we will learn of Jesus (Mosiah 15:7). This emulation directly enhances our adoration of Jesus."

"[W]hile knowledge is clearly very important, standing alone it cannot save us. I worry sometimes that we get so busy discussing the doctrines in various Church classes that talking about them almost becomes a substitute for applying them. One cannot improve upon the sobering words of King Benjamin, who said, 'Now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them' (Mosiah 4:10). Such is still the test. Deeds, not words—and becoming, not describing—are dominant in true discipleship...So it is that discipleship requires all of us to translate doctrines, covenants, ordinances, and teachings into improved personal behavior."

"Any serious disciple yearns to go home to Heavenly Father and to be welcomed there by Jesus. But the Prophet Joseph Smith declared we cannot go where They are unless we become more like Them in the principles and attributes and character They possess (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 216)."

"Yes, Jesus is the generous Lord of the expansive universe, but He is also Lord of the narrow path!"
"The ravines on both sides of that narrow path are deep and dangerous. Moreover, until put off, the shifting, heavy, unsettling burden of the natural man tilts us and sways us. It is dangerous."

"A vital, personal question for each of us, therefore, is, Are we steadily becoming what gospel doctrines are designed to help us become? Or are we merely rich inheritors of an immense treasure trove of truth but poor investors in the process of personal development so essential to discipleship?"

"What is it that we are to deny ourselves? The ascendancy of any appetites or actions which produce not only the seven deadly sins but all the others. Happily, self-denial, when we practice it, brings great relief. It represents emancipation from all the “morning after” feelings, whether caused by adultery or gluttony. Being concerned with tomorrow, true disciples are very careful about today! Self denial also includes not letting our hearts become too set on any trivial or worldly thing. Then we can learn the great lessons about the relationship of righteousness to the powers and the joys of heaven. The fundamental fact is that if we do not deny ourselves, we are diverted. Even if not wholly consumed with the things of the world, we are still diverted sufficiently to make serious discipleship impossible."

"the natural man...is so very selfish in so many ordinary ways"

"[T]he lingering question should not be, How many imperfections do I have? but rather, Is my discipleship sufficiently serious that I am working patiently and steadily to overcome my weaknesses, perhaps even changing some of them into strengths?"

"Given all you and I yet lack in our spiritual symmetry and character formation, no wonder God must use so intensively the little time available to develop each of us in this brief second estate."

"God is very serious about the joy of His children! Why should we be surprised?"

"One of the dangers we face in discipleship is drifting. This can occur when we become 'wearied and faint in [our] minds,' to use Paul’s phrase (Heb. 12:3). This is one of the tragedies of failing to be serious disciples; not that we become necessarily wicked, but rather that those who drift merely exist and are not truly alive in Christ."

"I have found that the Lord gives more instructions than explanations." [when it comes to promptings]

"The road of discipleship … requires sturdy, all-weather souls who are constant in every season of life and who are not easily stalled or thrown off course."

"So it is in the process of discipleship. There are more meaningful moments than we use profitably ... President Brigham Young taught, 'There is not a single condition of life … [and] not one hour’s experience but what it is beneficial to all those who make it their study, and aim to improve upon the experience they gain' (in Journal of Discourses, 9:292). I hope we realize that. We may fritter away our time, but life is always drenched with more opportunities for discipleship than we use. Therefore, all the minutes and hours and moments can be, at least incrementally, defining moments." [reminds me of Preach My Gospel, chapter 6, about how become like Christ one decision at a time]

"We must look carefully, therefore, not only at life’s large defining moments but also at the seemingly small moments. Even small acts and brief conversations count, if only incrementally, in the constant shaping of souls, in the strategic swirl of people and principles and tactical situations. What will we bring to all of those moments small and large? Will we do what we can to make our presence count as a needed constant in such fleeting moments, even in micro ways? Do you and I not sometimes say appreciatively of individuals who have helped us, 'They were there when we needed them'? Will we reciprocate?"

"If we are thus determined, then we are emulating yet another quality of our Lord, of whom we read, 'And there is nothing that the Lord thy God shall take in his heart to do but what he will do it' (Abr. 3:17). True disciples are meek but very determined."

"[C]ertain taste buds of our souls may have been burned over by sin, and our Father desires that we regenerate these by repentance. Our Heavenly Father also desires the development of what are presently the many other neglected taste buds of our souls. These, when they are really developed, will bring even greater happiness and true joy."

"Wickedness is not the only mortal failure. Yes, the avoidance of wickedness remains ever important, but the sins of omission also represent a haunting failure. How often, may I ask you, do we speak about the need for repentance concerning our sins of omission? Or how often do we make personal confessions of them to God?"

"Promptings for us to do good come from the Holy Ghost. These promptings nudge us further along the straight and narrow path of discipleship. The natural man doesn’t automatically think of doing good. It isn’t natural."

"It is sadly true, as we all know, that many on this planet hunger for bread, but many also hunger deeply to experience the reassuring eloquence of example. This represents a desperate need which is incumbent upon us to provide as part of our discipleship."

"We can be of so much service to others in many 'thou shalt' ways. Of course, the problem is that rendering such service takes time and we are all so busy ... The 'thou shalts' are so convenient to put off. Who will notice the procrastination anyway? After all, we are not robbing a bank."

"In each of life’s situations, large or small, if you and I will bring fixed principles and strive to be more like Jesus, including his generosity, then we will be living abundantly and not just existing."

"Not shrinking is more important than surviving, and Jesus is our exemplar."

"[I] plead that each of us might not deflect these [promptings from the Spirit] but might receive them as indicators of how much more we could do if we were more serious disciples".

This is one of the most powerful talks I have ever read.

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." -James 1:27

This is a really good article. I believe it's from Elder Neal A. Maxwell, posted on ldsliving.com? I took some quotes from it...and by some quotes I mean basically the whole article because it was so good. :)

"The noblest aim in life is to strive to live to make other lives better and happier." 

"In the first two great commandments we are adjured to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. How very difficult these duties are when people become selfish. The more they become self-centered, the more their interest in God wanes; if some think of Him at all, it is only in an attitude of 'What has He done for me lately?'"

"Serving others is one of the best ways to nourish our testimonies..."

"[Giving service] is somewhat like flicking a light switch from "off" to "on"—lighting up a room so that we see more clearly (or for the first time) all the possibilities for service that we simply did not see in the darkness of devotion to self." (realize that there are infinite number of ways to do service - for each person you see, there is a way to serve them) 

"Giving genuine companionship to the malnourished mortals who have known so little love and so few friends is as vital as food for the starving. So often what people need so much is to be sheltered from the storms of life in the sanctuary of belonging."

"We should balance our service between those who give us immediate response and gracious appreciation and those who are grumpy—so grumpy they almost dare us to love them."

"...selfish people are forever taking their own temperature, asking themselves, 'Am I happy?'"

"We lose ourselves in righteous service and in wise and good causes through a thousand deeds rather than one single spectacular act." 

"Think for a moment how different it would be if people took on that physical appearance which would reflect distinctly how well they are doing spiritually. How would some of today's so-called beautiful people really look?"

"Let us, therefore, define service to others as including genuine listening—a listening that is more than just being patient until it is our turn to speak; rather, a listening that includes real response, not simply nodding absorption. Let us think of service not only as giving, but also as receiving righteously. Parenthetically, one of the many reasons some of today's children have not learned to give is that some parents do not know how to receive. Let our service, at times, include a willingness to hold back in conversation when what we would have said has already been said—and perhaps better. To contribute, not money, but time and space, so that another can expand is to reflect a quiet nobility. There are so many times when to forgo is to make way for another."

"We can serve by enduring well, for our steadiness will steady others who are otherwise on the verge of giving up."

"We can serve by giving deserved, specific praise."

"The righteous and serving will feel when others are 'past feeling.' They will love when the love of others has waxed cold. They will have also been different enough to have made a real difference in the world. They will know inner peace when fear envelops others. They will go on serving while others are lost in raging selfishness. Service softens, not hardens, our hearts. The gospel gentles us and tames us—it does not make us more wild. Service keeps indolence at bay. Pure love keeps us from all manner of lasciviousness. Service keeps us from forgetting the Lord our God, because being among and serving our brothers and sisters reminds us that Father is ever there and is pleased when we serve, for while the recipients of our service are our neighbors, they are His children."

"At several points the scriptures speak of bearing one another's burdens that they may be light. (Mosiah 18:8; Galatians 6:2.) Paul clearly connects this form of service with the keeping of the second commandment. (Galatians 5:13- 14.) The lessening of the load of another comes, in part, from our very expression of genuine concern transmitted to the burdened. Empathy expressed can do much to lift the heart of another. Objectively, in fact, the burden (the loss of health, a loved one) may remain, but the capacity to cope and to carry on is increased by our administering the adrenalin of affection."

"...carried within each soul born on this planet is the Light of Christ, which can illumine the landscape of life, even if the carrier does not understand that light within. (D&C 93:2.)"

"Jesus loved people enough to teach them specific things. He did not merely live among people as so many of us do, for co-existence is not real brotherhood. Teaching is a significant form of service, just as is witnessing to one's neighbor."

"Just as He has told us to do, He found and fulfilled Himself by losing himself in the service of others. But we must lose our life for His sake—not just any cause. There are those carefully masqueraded versions of service to others that are really ego exercises coated with a thin layer of public interest."

#healthyliving #hashtag

Alright, I'm kind of proud of something, so I'm going to shout it from the cyber rooftops: I made the healthiest shake of my life this morning. Go on, ask me what was in it. :D

Vanilla coconut almond milk, ice, ground flaxseed, a banana, strawberries, apple, grapes, a handful of leafy greens, mango, avocado, ginger, and the tears of Grandmother Willow (don't worry, tears of joy). #micronutrients #keepitup #alldayeveryday #hashtagsdontworkonblogs #hashtag

Spiritual Pollution

“In a recent conference, Elder Boyd K. Packer said, ‘As we test the moral environment, we find the pollution index is spiraling upward’ (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, p. 91; or Ensign, May 1992, 66). The Apostle Paul foresaw ‘that in the last days perilous times shall come’ (2 Timothy 3:1). And speaking of the last days, the prophet Moroni declared, ‘Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth’ (Mormon 8:31). “Sadly, the effects of this great pollution are perhaps most evident in the mass media, films, television, and popular music. Of this, Senator Robert D. Byrd said, ‘If we in this nation continue to sow the images of murder, violence, drug abuse, . . . perversion, [and] pornography . . . before the eyes of millions of children, year after year and day after day, we should not be surprised if the foundations of our society rot away as if from leprosy’ (in Michael Medved, Hollywood vs. America [New York: Harper Perennial, 1992], p. 194). “. . . In most areas of the mass media there seems to be a declaration of war against almost everything the majority treasures most: the family, religion, and patriotism. Marriage is degraded, while premarital and extramarital relations are encouraged and glamorized. Profanity and the foulest of vulgar gutter language bombard the ears of all who listen. . . . Human life itself is trivialized by the constant barrage of violence and killings” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 12; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 11)." (Book of Mormon Institute Manual)

I completely agree with this! I know that what we watch and listen to does have an effect on us and can change us. I know that we have to really seek after virtuous things. They can be hard to find. But I also believe that there is no shortage of good media. Even as the adversary is increasing the amount and intensity of spiritual pollution, Heavenly Father is increasing the amount and intensity of beautiful things. And we have time on our side - we can reach back into time and find media that is wholesome. I LOVE the Andy Griffith Show for that self-same reason. Even in our media today, there are soul-striking songs yet to be found and books that can expand my mind. (As for movies...I've basically decided that it's not worth it to go to the theaters anymore, because it has basically all become junk food or toxic.) I am sure that things will continue to slide downhill, and when my children start to choose for themselves the media they'll watch, I want them to have a testimony of the power of media for good or ill, and to have grown up with a strong foundation of virtuous things. Again, I bring up John Bytheway's marinade analogy - saying that you're not affected by what you surround yourself with is like saying a piece of chicken is not affected by the marinade it's surrounded by. Luckily, we get to choose our marinade. We do not, however, get to choose to not be affected by it. I hope to make my home a refuge from the storm, full of good books and music and conversations, a place where people can be uplifted and strengthened.

"Decisions determine destiny" -President Monson

"Choose Eternal Life" by Elder Randall K. Bennett:

"Your eternal destiny will not be the result of chance but of choice."

"We cannot successfully choose both the safety of righteousness and the dangers of worldliness. Wading or dabbling in worldliness may seem harmless, but [referencing a story he had told about getting caught in a subtle ocean current] so did my 'refreshing' swim!"

"...our safety depends on choosing to follow (1) the insights we gain during daily scripture study, pondering, and prayer; (2) the guidance of the Holy Ghost; and (3) [the prophets'] prophetic counsel."

"It is never too hard or too late to make correct choices."

"Am I seeking divine direction through daily scripture study, pondering, and prayer, or have I chosen to be so busy or apathetic that I don’t take time to study the words of Christ, ponder them, and converse with my Heavenly Father? 
Am I seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost daily in what I choose to think about, feel, and do? 
Am I consistently reaching out to assist, serve, or help rescue others?"

Testimony

So, I had an idea. I love ideas. :) I had the idea that during each fast and testimony meeting I would write my testimony down. So now I'd like to transfer that idea to here, and I can write a little bit more about how my testimony came/was strengthened. And maybe I'll throw in little insights that have come during the month.

-My testimony of Heavenly Father being able to help me reach my goals and guide my life was strengthened this month. I have been praying and praying that I could strengthen my sense of self-worth, and I noticed over and over that affirmations were being brought up. I know Heavenly Father has been telling me that's the answer, and as I've been applying that, I have reached a greater level of sustained excitement and hope than ever before! And you know what? Heavenly Father loves that. He LOVES to see me happy. Also, during the Women's Broadcast last night the thought came to me that Heavenly Father loves to see His daughters confident.

-I know that President Monson is our living prophet. Some people are quick to point out that prophets are not perfect. It is a fallacy to expect them to be. But, the structure of the Church is designed by a perfect God, and part of His plan is for imperfect, righteous men to guide us. And it doesn't come as a surprise to Him. And anyways, even though President Monson is not perfect, he is WAY closer to perfection than I am. So there. :) During the General Women's Broadcast last night, I noticed that he is growing older, a bit smaller. As part of one of the talks, they played a clip of him speaking when he was younger and stronger. And the thought came to me: he is still as much a prophet today as he ever was, and nothing will change that. I LOVE PRESIDENT MONSON!

-Along the same lines, I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration. The other day I finally recorded myself giving his testimony like Elder Andersen asked us to. A few days later, a friend we have who has been struggling with his testimony of Joseph Smith was telling us things that have concerned him. I am so grateful that I felt prompted to follow Elder Andersen's advice, because I feel like it strengthened me for that. I know that Joseph Smith did see Heavenly Father and the Savior in the Sacred Grove. I know that he is a prophet, called by a perfect God. I know that in cases where things maybe don't add up for people, everything will be understood one day, even if it's in the next life. As Elder Holland says so powerfully (as he always does!): " In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited. When those [troubling] moments come and issues surface, the resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming, hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes...In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know...So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we." I love Elder Holland. :) And I love the Prophet Joseph Smith!

-"We don't need to wait until we die to go to heaven; we just need to go to the temple" (Elder Groberg, "Of Refuge and Reality"). I got to go to the DC temple yesterday, and it was so powerful and peaceful. On the drive there I tried to change my mindset to thinking that we were driving to heaven for the day. I think that the long drive makes me recognize the power of the temple even more. There is a certain peace that comes to me from even just the familiarity of the words spoken in the ordinances - they are constant, and that has almost a lulling, calming effect on me. I don't know how to describe it. I am so grateful for the temple and the protection that comes from attending. As President Hinckley has said, "Every time you come to the temple, you will be a better man or woman when you leave than you were when you came."

Sheer Exultation

Do you want to be happy - nay, EXULTANT - for the next five minutes?

Listen to "Hosanna (Thy Savior Hath Come)" in the Lamb of God album by Rob Gardner! It is one of the happiest songs I have ever heard! And the message is so incredible! And true!

"Hosanna! Hosanna! Thy Savior hath come, O Israel,
And blessed He'll ever be called!
Hosanna! Hosanna! Sing praises to God,
For our Hope, our Deliv'rer, our All!"