"Obedience always involves self-discipline." -President Kimball

I have been praying for help to be more valiant, and my prayer was answered last night at a fireside when I was thumbing through my scriptures. Deep in the heart of my Topical Guide was this quote! It was exactly what I needed. It was empowering to me because it reminded me that I'm in the driver's seat.

"Self-control, self-mastery, can be substituted for the dominion of sin, and the sinner can move by his own agency toward God rather than under the control of sin toward Satan...What is needed is self-discipline. Can we imagine the angels or the gods not being in control of themselves in any particular? The question is of course ludicrous. Equally ridiculous is the idea that any of us can rise to the eternal heights without disciplining ourselves and being disciplined by the circumstances of life...Obedience always involves self-discipline. So does repentance, which is the way to annul the effects of a previous lack of obedience in one's life. The dividends from both obedience and repentance amply repay the effort." -President Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness

Also, I had a few other great insights this weekend and I don't want to lose them!

-I got to go to the temple this weekend and I was reminded that I need to focus all my efforts on building His kingdom. If I'm not building His kingdom, I'm building my own, and it will all come to naught. I know that His kingdom will only get bigger!

-In church yesterday an idea stood out to me: as we remember Him always, we will have His Spirit to be with us. So, maybe that means that the things we do that bring the Spirit are a form of remembering Him.

-The wise man and the foolish man: one built his house upon the Rock, the other did not. I like to think that both of them had a blueprint for how to build a strong home, but only one followed through. It made me think of the counsel I receive today: do I just hear it, or do I apply it?

Becoming

Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2000, 41; or Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32). -Book of Mormon Institute Manual

Our Spiritual Responsibility

"Sister Sheri L. Dew, then a counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, taught: “‘Unto whom much is given much is required’ (D&C 82:3), and at times the demands of discipleship are heavy. But shouldn’t we expect the journey towards eternal glory to stretch us? We sometimes rationalize our preoccupation with this world and our casual attempts to grow spiritually by trying to console each other with the notion that living the gospel really shouldn’t require all that much of us. The Lord’s standard of behavior will always be more demanding than the world’s, but then the Lord’s rewards are infinitely more glorious—including true joy, peace, and salvation” (“We Are Women of God,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 98)." -Book of Mormon Institute Manual, pg. 185-186

The Power of Fasting

"Alma fasted to prepare his mind and soul to preach to the inhabitants of Ammonihah. Fasting often indicates to the Lord the seriousness of our request. President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency taught: “At times fasting is appropriate as a strong evidence of our sincerity. . . . When we fast we humble our souls, which brings us more in tune with God and His holy purposes” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2002, 68; or Ensign, May 2002, 60). Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin enumerated some of the blessings that flow into our lives when we add prayer to an appropriate fast: “Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation. Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence. They can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline. Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power. Testimonies grow. We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions. . . . Fasting in the proper spirit and in the Lord’s way will energize us spiritually. It will strengthen our self-discipline, fill our homes with peace, lighten our hearts with joy, fortify us against temptation, prepare us for times of adversity, and open the windows of heaven” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2001, 95, 97–98; or Ensign, May 2001, 73, 75)." -Book of Mormon Institute Manual, pg. 185

When You Feel Weak

"Commenting to those who sometimes feel that their best efforts are not enough or that they have failed, President Thomas S. Monson stated: “Should there be anyone who feels he is too weak to change the onward and downward course of his life, or should there be those who fail to resolve to do better because of that greatest of fears—the fear of failure—there is no more comforting assurance to be had than these words of the Lord: ‘My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them’ [Ether 12:27].'" -Book of Mormon Institute Manual

How to Be Built Upon the Rock

Another really insightful article from the Ensign! I'm so grateful for the insights I've gained from the Ensign. (One of my favorites is from an article about living our lives based around our covenants: "Are you a covenant keeper? Are you living your life by covenant or simply by convenience? ... Pray fervently for the strength to live true to your covenants. This provides spiritual protection.")

"In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Helaman teaches his sons that they must build their spiritual foundation on Jesus Christ in order to withstand the whirlwinds of life (see Helaman 5:12). In the October 2014 general conference, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about four spiritual tools that help us build this foundation: prayer, scripture study,family home evening, and temple worship. These four tools help us hearken unto the words of Christ and build our testimonies, lives, and homes “upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God” (Helaman 5:12; see also Matthew 7:24–27).

“When these tools become fundamental habits,” Elder Scott said, “they provide the easiest way to find peace in the challenges of mortality.”1 They help us to withstand the mighty winds of the adversary, so that they have “no power over [us] to drag [us] down to the gulf of misery and endless wo” (Helaman 5:12). As Elder Scott taught, “The more we develop these habits, the more anxious is Satan to harm us but the less is his ability to do so.”2

These essential habits bring us closer to God and help us build on “a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12). Elder Scott declared, “As we actively come unto [Christ], we can endure every temptation, every heartache, every challenge we face.” Ultimately, as you use these four tools, you will be drawing closer to Christ and “securing your life in the power of [His] Atonement.”"

The Time Is Far Spent, Hymn #266

Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you;

The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.

Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;

His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.

His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.