This week I read a few scriptures in the book of Ezra about God's hand reaching out.

The good hand of his God [was] upon him (Ezra 7:9)

And hath extended mercy unto me….and I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me (Ezra 7:28).

The picture above reminds me that God has a body of flesh and bones and His hands look like our hands. I know that God strengthens individuals with His hand. There are millions of people on the earth, and I don't understand how God knows each one of them and what they are experiencing, but I know He is a good and loving God and He delights in blessing His children. I have felt lifted, upheld, soothed, directed, protected, guided and strengthened by the hand of God.

 

I did something I have not done for a while. I read a book! Besides Preach My Gospel, Come Follow Me and the scriptures, I have not ventured far in my gospel study these past six months, but I enjoyed this book by Elder Ucthdorf and felt uplifted. Not only is he an optimistic person, but he teaches hope and optimism in a great way. 

Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future—even “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23). It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance (pg. 18).

We hope in Jesus Christ, in the goodness of God, in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, in the knowledge that prayers are heard and answered. Because God has been faithful and kept His promises in the past, we can hope with confidence that God will keep His promises to us in the present and in the future. In times of distress, we can hold tightly to the hope that things will work together for our good (pgs. 19, 20).

The reason these words rang true with me is that I have seen evidence of God being faithful and keeping His promises in my life. Over and over again, I lean on God and ask for His support and I am delivered. I trust that He will keep His promises in the present and future too. I know my prayers are heard, and that God showers us with blessings as seek to draw near to Him.

Sometimes mission miracles are large and sometimes they are small, but I appreciate them all. There are many elders in our mission who barely have enough clothing to get by. We have been working on quietly (and individually) supplying them with white shirts and ties, but they are left to find pants on their own. Pants are easier to come by. The missionaries can sometimes find pants at thrift stores, but fresh white shirts are hard to find. At a recent mission conference, a sister told me that an elder sitting across from her had a hole in his pants. This elder was only in the city that day, and would be going back to his assigned area later. I knew that someone (I don't remember who) had given me two new pairs of pants and told me to give them to an elder. I went to my mission supply cupboard and put the two pairs of pants in a bag. When an opportunity arose, I spoke with the elder and asked him if he would like to try on a couple pairs of pants. He was delighted to try them on. I told him that the size may not be right, and to our great surprise the size on the pants was exactly what he needed. How can that be? How can I not remember from what source I received the pants? Whoever gave them to me was directed! They were exactly the size that the elder needed, and he was happy to receive them! I am amazed at the goodness of God.

 

 

A thoughtful daughter gifted me this book and there are some nuggets within: 

Have you ever seen a mother comfort a dirty child? Children are dirty at least 50 percent of the time anyway, but it’s still a little surprising to see a fresh and clean mother cradling a child with a bloodied nose or mud-caked trousers.  When a child needs comfort, a mother doesn’t think of maintaining her distance to keep herself clean but scoops up the child and gets right to the business of comforting. In the same way, our Father comforts us, not at a distance, but in His arms, getting bloody and muddy.  Bring your fears and hurts to the One who comforts you.  He does not flinch or retreat from the burdens you bring, from the wounds that undo you.  You will find peace in His loving embrace (pg. 57).

Peace is a stability of mind, not a stability of circumstances. The peace of God keeps our hearts calm in the midst of whatever the world throws at us (pg. 156).

Go to the source.  Don’t begin on the fringes.  When we hesitate to call out to the Lord for help, we put off the one thing that can actually bring healing and justice.  He offers us an end to weeping and a gracious ear when we call for help. Run to your watchful Father, for as soon as He hears, He will answer you.  Bring your darkest fears and your deepest secrets; bring your heartbreak and your embarrassment.  There is One who is attentive to your heart (pg. 126).

The first thing on the list is “Seek God.” Start there.  Wake up each morning with your compass pointing toward Him. Set your feet in His direction. Let the pursuit of God by your first priority…and then live (pg. 188).

God is my rearward. "And they shall go out from all nations; for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward" (3 Nephi 21:29).

God is my refuge. "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God" (Psalms 62:7). "God is a refuge for us" (Psalms 62:8).

God is my help. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1)."God is mine helper" (Psalms 54:4). "Thou hast been my help" (Psalms 63:7). "Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing to both small and great" (Acts 26:22).

God is my defense. "My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart" (Psalms 7:10)."Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence" (Psalms 59:9). "He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be moved." (Psalms 62:6).

God is my support. "My God hath been my support" (2 Ne. 4:20). "Cry unto God for all thy support" (Alma 37:36).

God is my rock. "Neither is there any rock like our God" (1 Samuel 2:2). "He only is my rock and my salvation" (Psalms 62:2). "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength" (Psalms 62:7). "Yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness"

(2 Ne. 4:35).

Both God the Father and Jesus Christ offer love and support to me, and to all mankind.

A few scriptures about God's knowledge and wisdom:

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33)

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2,3)

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his (Daniel 2:20).

O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! (2 Ne. 9:8)

Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend (Mosiah 4:9).

My joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name (Alma 26:35).

I am at a stage of life when some things in my future are uncertain and I am relying on the wisdom and knowledge of God as I move forward. As I typed the last sentence, I chuckled. When in life are things not uncertain?! These scriptures gave me great confidence and assurance tonight as I read them. God knows all things! He knows me and He will guide and strengthen me. When I can't see the path clearly, He can.

I have thinking about why I do the things I do. What is my motivation? What propels me?

Is it to please others and look good? Is it because I feel a duty and responsibility? Or maybe I fear God and I don't want to be punished. Do I feel like because I obey some commandments that certain rewards will be granted? Am I in some type of bartering or transactional relationship? Does the reward(s) that God promises motivate me? Or is it something else?

James Skeen said: "Instead of viewing obedience as a means to an end, it becomes an expression of love and appreciation." (Nothing More to Give: From Transactional Obedience to Transformational Relationships, pg. 100)

Can love for my Savior and my Heavenly Father be the exclusive motivation for living the gospel and serving others?

I want the love and gratitude I feel for the Savior and Heavenly Father to be my motivation. I have relationships with Them, and those relationships are precious to me.

The relationships and the love are paramount, but I think there is something else, and it is hard to put in to words. In the process of striving to be obedient, repentant, and fully converted, I am being polished and refined.  I am changing and growing, and there is satisfaction and joy in the process. 

 

I like to watch Richie Saunders play basketball because he gives it his all! He is intense and determined.  I watched a video about him and was interested to learn he has a personal creed.  This creed is described as his internal value system, and no matter what happens around him, he uses this creed to determine who he is, or who he wants to be. Here are the points in his personal creed:

1. Take the time and energy to elevate the one in the moment.

2. Whatever I accomplish on or off the court, always remember that I am no more important than others.

3. No one will question my commitment to the team and to the game.

4. Trust in the 5 a.m.s. It is who I am, so be me.

5. Be relentless in my work ethic.

6. Find the joy in the now.

7. Serve at every possible opportunity.

8. Take the time to connect with God daily.

9. Protect the family name.

A comparison between scriptures having to do with the justice of God, and scriptures explaining the mercy of God.

Justice: The justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous (1 Ne. 15:30).

O the greatness and the justice of our God! (2 Nephi 9:17)

And naught but peace, justice, and truth is the habitation of thy throne (Moses 7:31).

And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence (Alma 42:14).

O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God (Alma 42:30).

Behold, I would tell you somewhat concerning the justice of God, and the sword of his almighty wrath, which doth hang over you except ye repent and withdraw your armies into your own lands (Alma 54:6).

And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father (3 Nephi 27:17).

Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you--lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver (Mormon 5:24).

Verily, verily, I say unto you, wo be unto him that lieth to deceive because he supposeth that another lieth to deceive, for such are not exempt form the justice of God (Doctrine & Covenants, 10:28).

Summary: Two of the pillars of God are: His laws and His justice. Our world would be chaotic without God's laws and justice. God provides repentance, along with a Savior to save us from the grasps of justice. We can pretend that God's laws do not exist, and pretend that there are no consequences for not following His commandments, but the laws remain, and the consequences will at some time come to pass.

Mercy: I will trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever (Psalms 51:8).

But God, who is rich in mercy... (Ephesians 2:4).

O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! (2 Ne. 9:8)

But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you (Alma 12:33).

He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth (Psalm 57:3).

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion (Romans 9:15).

For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him (Philippians 2:27).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).

Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish! (1 Nephi 1:14)

They were delivered out of the hands of the people of king Noah, by the mercy and power of God (Alma 5:4).

And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angles, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations (Alma 24:14).

But do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility (Alma 42:30).

And because of the mercies of the Father unto the Gentiles...(3 Nephi 16:9).

Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy (Moroni 8:19).

My servant Joseph Smith, Jun., might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon (Doctrine & Covenants 1:29).

Glory, and honor, and power, and might, Be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy, justice, grace and truth, and peace (Doctrine & Covenants 84:102).

Summary: God is "rich in mercy." Love, grace, and mercy are essential and dominate characteristics of God. God (especially) showers mercy on those who are humble, obedient, repentant, and grateful.

 

What a surprise! I liked this book! Savannah made lots of good points, such as:

"I like to tell people about the God I know.  The one whose hand rests gently on my shoulder, whose presence I can feel behind and beside me when I’m under pressure. The one whose persistent but kind nudging can prod me into perspective, whose forbearance and tenderness can coax me into change.  The one who surprises and delights me with the imagination of his creation and the beautiful potential of his humanity. The one whose revelations spark my intellect and ignite my passions and purpose.  The one who melts me with unexpected favor and unmerited generosity. The one who holds me, firmly and purposefully, when the weight of my disappointments and setbacks threatens to crush" (pgs. x, xi).

"It is a great comfort when our perspectives are broadened, when we see the events of our lives in a bigger picture, a better light, a God’s-eye view that makes sense of even the most unimaginable sadness in our lives.  God does not cause evil and suffering. But he can transform it. It is a phenomenally fine distinction, but one that matters" (pgs. 223,224).

"Imagine it—God loving you.  Seeing you, appreciating you, delighting in you.  Knowing you, having compassion on you, healing you, forgiving you.  See it, appreciate it, grasp it, hold on to it. Inhale deeply of his goodwill and attune yourself to evidence of his love.  Look for it everywhere" (pg. 10).

 A few scriptures from my research on God the Father regarding his body:

Arm: Hast thou an arm like God? Or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? (Job 40:9)
And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of his arm (Omni 1:13).
The Father hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations (3 Nephi 20:25).
Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed (Doctrine & Covenants 123:17).

Body: The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s (Doctrine & Covenants 130:22).

In the image of his own body, male and female, created he them (Moses 6:9).

Bosom: Through his Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from the beginning (Doctrine & Covenants 76:13).

Enoch was high and lifted up, even in the bosom of the Father (Moses 7:24).

Other “bosom” scriptures: Doctrine & Covenants 76:25,39, 88:13, Moses 7:30,31,47.

Eye: I must do according to the strict commands of God and tell you concerning your wickedness…under the glance of the piercing eye of the Almighty God (Jacob 2:10).

O that he would show you that he can pierce you, and with one glance of his eye he can smite you to the dust (Jacob 2:15)!

Wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and hold all the creations which I have made; and mine eye can pierce them also (Moses 7:36).

Face: But now mine own eyes have beheld God; his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him (Moses 1:11).

Hand: Were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries (Mosiah 1:5).

Do ye not remember that our father, Lehi, was brought out of Jerusalem by the hand of God (Alma 9:9)?

By his hand were they all created from the beginning (Alma 18:28, 32).

Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God (Mormon 5:23)?

And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands (Moses 1:4).

For all flesh is in my hands (Moses 6:32).

Other “hand” scriptures: 4 Nephi 1:16, Doctrine & Covenants 87:6, Moses 7:36,40.

Left hand: Whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God (Mosiah 5:10).

I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called (Mosiah 5:12).

Mighty hand: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God (1 Pet. 5:6).

Mouth: By the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ (Moroni 7:25).

You shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God (Doctrine & Covenants 84:44, 98:11).

Piercing eye: I must do according to the strict commands of God and tell you concerning your wickedness…under the glance of the piercing eye of the Almighty God (Jacob 2:10).

Right hand: Thy right hand upholdeth me (Psalms 63:8).

It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us (Romans 8:34).

Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God (Moroni 7:27).

Christ sitteth on the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1).

Other “right hand” scriptures: Hebrews 12:2, 1 Pet. 3:22, Alma 28:12, Helaman 3:30, Ether 12:4, Doctrine & Covenants 20:24, 76:20,23, Joseph Smith Matthew 1:1.

Voice: Yea, behold at his voice do the hills and the mountains tremble and quake. And by the power of his voice they are broken up (Helaman 12:9, 10).

They heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn (3 Nephi 11:3).

He called upon our father Adam by his own voice, saying: I am God; I made the world, and men before they were in the flesh (Moses 6:51).

Other “voice” scriptures: Helaman 12: 11-12, Doctrine & Covenants 128:21, Moses 5:4,58, Moses 6:52.

 

What a fascinating and instructive book! The authors bring to our attention several worldviews which are prevalent in society. These worldviews are not organized religions, but are cultural themes which guide our decisions, values, and faith. A few of the worldviews mentioned in the book are: Individualism, Consumerism, Scientific Naturalism, and Moral Relativism. Here is a thought regarding each of these worldviews:

Individualism is the belief that the individual is the primary reality and that our understanding of the universe and lifestyle should be centered in oneself (pg. 27). It is easy to get caught up in this worldview and to go after practices that promote individual satisfaction and pleasure.

Consumerism tells us that the holes in our lives will be filled if we just have more. Getting just a bit more proves to be unsatisfying, however, because money never fills legitimate needs for intellectual growth, moral virtue, love, true esteem and God (pg. 54). If I am not aware that this worldview is pulling me in a different direction than my Christian faith, I can be led down the path of materialism and consumerism and not realize it. Have riches and the pursuit of material goods become my priority? Have “things” replaced God as the most important thing in my life?

Every empire has viewed itself as destined by God, or the gods, to rule forever.  Every one of them was wrong. While nations may have impressive powers, those powers are always temporary and provisional. Granting ultimate loyalty to a country indicates that we have lost sight of what is absolutely good and have elevated the nation, a created, transitory and partial good, to a place that should be reserved for God alone (pgs. 77,78). This chapter was very interesting to me. The authors explain the difference between patriotism, which is good, and nationalism, which can be excessive in feelings of pride and position.

A seismic shift has indeed occurred in our culture.  Many say they no longer believe that truth actually exists, and if it does, it is most certainly not self-evident and may not even be knowable (pg. 79). Whatever supports our individual biases and helps us accumulate power is labeled truth (pg. 83).
Truth is relative to the interests and projects of the person claiming truth (pg. 83). I am grateful to believe in and rely on a God who does not change, nor does His truth.

I really like these words from Maurine Proctor. I have read them repeatedly.

I asked my class, "What was Laman and Lemuel's most basic problem?"

We know that Nephi, Laman and Lemuel literally took a journey through the wilderness, and eight-year-marathon that took them from Jerusalem to the shores of the Arabian Sea--and then beyond. This journey, however, was also a metaphor of everyone's life experience.  It applies to all of us.

Here in mortality, we are cast into the wilderness, taking a wilderness journey, where, like Nephi's family, we experience the tremendous heat of trail, the tedium of the way, the wandering through a sometimes trackless desert, the hardship, the thirst.

Nephi's journey, which is a type of our journey in life, was joyously transformed because he did know the dealings of that God who had created him. 

He did not face anything alone or without purpose.  God walked by his side, led him to the more fertile parts of the wilderness.  He knew who stood by him. 

Their (Laman and Lemuel) "knew not the dealings of that God who had created them" and therefore their wilderness journey was going to be merely a miserable, futile experience. They became ripe for discouragement, despair, and anguish.

Surely, as sons of Lehi, Laman and Lemuel had been taught about God, just as Nephi had--but, nonetheless, and obviously, they did not know Him. They had not learned what they had been taught, because to come to know the dealings of that God who has created us, it is not enough to have someone else tell you about him.  You learn about who he is, in those hours in your room on your knees.  He reveals himself to you when you seek him with all your heart and when your whole mind and soul is inclined toward him.

Laman and Lemuel did not want to pay that price, and so they paid other, agonizing prices instead, throughout the entire journey.  They suffered, not because the Lord imposed suffering upon them, but given the nature of the journey, it was the natural consequence of attempting to go it alone. Because at their core, they knew not God, at their core they could only respond to the reality of the journey with the outlook of the natural man.

Meridian Magazine, January 4, 2011, "It Wasn't Because Laman and Lemuel Had a Bad Attitude."

A classmate suggested I read the talk by Thomas S. Monson titled "The Divine Gift of Gratitude," which I did today. Here are a few favorite lines:

"My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.

This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good.

If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

I thought it an appropriate time to list some of the blessings I am grateful for:

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I am grateful for the members of the Godhead.

I am grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I am grateful to serve in the temple.

I am grateful for the power that comes through covenants.

I am grateful for the scriptures.

I am grateful for President Nelson and other church leaders.

I am grateful to be a sister, wife, mother, and grandma.

I am grateful for families and the support we give one another.

I am grateful for the blessing of friends.

I am grateful for a body and mind that work.

I am grateful for books and the freedom to read and learn.

I am grateful for the beautiful world I live in and eyes to see it.

I am grateful for music and ears to hear it.

I am grateful for prayer.

I am grateful for adversity and challenges.

I am grateful for weakness.

I am grateful for each new day.

This book was recommended by a friend. I was warned that the book was "deep" and "kind of out there," and some of it was, but Dr. Hilton helped me to appreciate the vastness of God's creations and the plan and order in which He created all things.

Inside our wheel-shaped galaxy there exists between 100 and 200 billion stars.  This figure is an estimate, for no astronomer has counted them or ever seen them all.  Many stand in the line of sight of a closer star, and many more are hidden behind veils of dust.  Even if we could see them all, it would take 4,500 years to count them at a rate of one per second, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.  This number is only the stars, how many more worlds and moons are there? Well could the number of Heavenly Father’s creations be described as “innumerable to man” (pgs. 40, 41).

The appreciation of our God and His Christ is greatly increased as we consider the vastness of His creations and the time it took Them to do it (pg. 43).