Live Like You Know

I think Faith is one of the most paradoxical concepts I have ever encountered, and yet it makes perfect sense when we think of it like the little seed that it is. It's funny because you have to first choose to believe before you ever get to feel it, or know. And sometimes that's frustrating. I've heard all sorts of explanations, like that it's all just psychological, but I don't believe that either. I think that it's through our faith and dedication that we come to know because that is what puts us in the right places to be nourished. Of course there are all sorts of other things that play into it, and I think it's simply a law. I don't need to understand it completely to know it.

Maybe I'm on a music kick this week. Actually I know I am. I've been looking for good stuff to take on my mission so I think I've listened to more religious music lately than I have before. And I love it. Anyway, here's the latest song that got me thinking about all that I've learned this year.


I challenge you, when you are struggling, to take this song into consideration. If you want to know, you have to show that you want to know. I know it's paradoxical, but sometimes you have to live it first.
Live like you believe,
Live like you know.
It's one sure way your faith will grow.

Ether12: 6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that ^afaith is things which are ^bhoped for and ^cnot seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no ^dwitness until after the ^etrial of your faith.

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Endure to the End (This is not Your Home)

 

Life's goin' good. Just keeps throwin stuff at me. And I just keep saying "Fine. Now get on your way!" Then I found this song by Hillary Weeks. It's on a CD that my best friend Dorothy gave me. I like it.

I know, it's girlie! Haha but still... I've learned that especially when you are doing something that's right, there's just a ton of hard stuff that comes at you. I'm not sure that it's all Satan, I think some of it is just part of standing up and actively doing what's right. That's just hard sometimes. But overall... the fact is that no matter where all the trials come from, I can't really change them. And when they are things that are completely beyond my control, I just have to step back and remember it's not their home. They won't stay forever, and sometimes just knowing that I have to keep right on my way and do my best while the trials come and go, is all that can really help me get through them. It's hard, but it won't last forever.

Besides,

ultimately, this is not my home either. 

 D&C 14:7 And, if you ^akeep my commandments and ^bendure to the end you shall have ^ceternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Memorizing "The Living Christ" update #3

Alright, I am typing this purely from memory :) This is as far as I have memorized. Here we Go.

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. "All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made."(John 1:3) Though sinless He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38) yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow his example. He walked the roads of Palestine healing the sick, causing the blind to see and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob and sentenced to die on Calvary's cross. He gave his life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem, nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the dead to "become the first fruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among his "other sheep" (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised "dispensation of the fulness of times." (Ephesians 1:10)

Of the Living Christ the Prophet Joseph wrote: His eyes were as a flame of fire, his hair was white like the pure snow, his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun and his voice was as the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah saying:

"I am the first and the last, I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain, I am your advocate with the Father." (D&C 110: 3-4)

Of Him, the Prophet also declared: "And now after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of Him: That He lives!

For we saw Him, even on the right hand of God and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father...


And that's as far as I am memorized now. :) Still working on it, but I'm well over half way there :)



Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.