What a trip to look back at my last two posts--and realize they were written three years ago! Two houses, one baby, and a whole lot of other experiences later, I'm back to my blog. I didn't think there was value in it because I wasn't actively trying to share my posts, but as a journal, I love it now. So I'm picking it back up.
I felt strongly about what I'm about to write, and although I do feel it needs to be shared, I don't know that this post will be the way it gets shared. I just want to record the thoughts so I can share it as and however opportunities arise.
The lesson today for Young Women was on virtue. The question was asked, what is virtue, and the class fell silent. To be honest, I wasn't sure I could put it into words either. I thought of intrinsic value, but didn't like how that would tie the phrase "losing your virtue" to "losing your worth" because I don't think those two should be related as such. So I looked it up in the guide to the scriptures, and the definition was "Integrity and moral excellence, power and strength, or sexual purity." The definition, "power and strength" caught my attention, and turned my thoughts to the story of Christ and the woman who touched the hem of his garments and was healed. Christ responded that he had felt virtue leave Him. I knew that had to be a reference to His spiritual power which was able to heal the woman just by her touching the hem of his garments. And what made Christ powerful? His integrity and moral excellence, his virtue.
I felt strongly that I wanted the girls in the class to understand that guarding one's virtue gives you power. I could see it so clearly--power to control your own life, to make your own decisions, to not get into an unhealthy or unhappy relationship, to not get tied down to raising children while you are still a child yourself. Then we read a talk by Quentin L Cook called "Can Ye Feel So Now," in which he describes his conversation with a young man about the prevalence of pornography. The young man made a valid point that many things we learn in church receive at least some facet of a second witness in the world--drinking, smoking, drug use are pretty commonly seen to be unhealthy and discouraged habits. But when it comes to sexual purity and pornography, the world doesn't second the standards taught in church. I would actually say that the world goes to extremes in teaching the exact opposite. It's natural, everyone does it, the only concern is that it be consensual and use protection.
The thought came to my mind (because twice now I have heard the girls say that this is the topic no one wants to talk about) that we need to stop feeling uncomfortable with this topic. The world is trying to make it less taboo, but is doing so by saying it's no big deal, just go with what feels good. I wanted to say, there are plenty of people talking about it! But they are all saying the wrong message, and the people that have truth to speak are keeping quiet because it's uncomfortable or awkward!
When Adam and Eve first partook of the fruit, Satan told them to hide and to cover themselves. Satan works in darkness and secrecy. The Lord teaches us to "let your light so shine." I believe that the more this topic is brought to light, meaning the more truth is shared about sex, the more comfortable people are talking about the dangers of pornography, the reality of pornography addiction, the ways it messes up relationships, etc, the less influence Satan will have over the use of procreative powers.
I wondered how many friends of these girls are succumbing to the lie that "everyone does it" and "it's impossible to wait until marriage," and are assuming that everyone around them is also having secret relationships. They need to hear the truth that these girls have. They need to know that they are not alone in wanting to save sex for marriage.
In the same regard, we need to shine light on our own weaknesses and temptations. We need to call pornography what it is when it comes up in movies and shows, and not leave place for it. Let light in to push out the darkness or secrets we may be holding onto because we may not believe that the Atonement can give us power over our sins. Our Bishop reminded us today that we came to the earth, not to avoid sin but to overcome it. It was right in the plan that we would sin, and because of that, the Atonement was prepared and the Savior chosen before we even came to earth to give us repentance and forgiveness.
I've worried as a mom of three boys, many times, how will I protect them from this world? Pornography is right in people's pockets on their phones. One girl in class today said the boy next to her at school was pulling up pornographic pictures on snapchat on a school computer! As much as I want to hide them, I feel strongly today is to look things right in the face and shed light so Satan has no more power over it. To be virtuous, meaning to be powerful by sharing light and truth and not be afraid to talk about "uncomfortable things."
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Thoughts on Discipleship
Last week Dustin and I spoke in sacrament meeting at our church. We were each assigned talks from the most recent general conference to inspire our thoughts. I haven't spoken in church so it was so refreshing for me to take the time to really study something out well enough to speak on it. I always learn the most when I prepare to teach or speak, and then I just pray that some of it translates to those who listen to me and that something that enlightened me is at least pertinent to someone else.
Maybe I'll share my talk in another post, but for now, I want to start a new project. As I listened to Elder Hales' talk today in a quiet moment while I was doing a nap drive with my 2 year old, I wished I had a notebook on me to record a few thoughts I had. And then I got to thinking how much I gained from really studying out Elder Andersen's talk when I had to speak on it. And so I decided I would try to dissect one talk a week and really study it out and share my thoughts here on my blog. I haven't been good about writing the goings on of my family here, but I realized today I love to write about the gospel. Also, something about sharing these thoughts and inspirations helps them sink deeper into my mind--they are written on my heart, I believe is how it's described in one scripture--and again, just maybe something I share will at least be pertinent to some person who comes across it.
Starting with Elder Hales: "Becoming a Disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ"
"...genuine discipleship is a state of being. This suggests more than studying and applying a list of individual attributes. Disciples live so that the characteristics of Christ are woven into the fiber of their beings, as into a spiritual tapestry."
I remember at the MTC we were introduced to Preach My Gospel, which has a section on Christlike attributes. There is a quiz of sorts to see the areas where you can improve. I think following Christ starts there, but this image is so beautiful--I imagine that when I am like Christ it comes so naturally to me to do things like him that I no longer pause to think "What would Jesus do?" I imagine checking in on the women I visit teach not because I need to check that off my list but because I see them as Christ sees them and care that they are doing well and I desire to support them how I can in their individual journey of discipleship. (Visiting teaching is a program in our church where women are assigned in partnerships to visit 2-3 other women on a monthly basis--it can be viewed as a social responsibility or an opportunity to minister for Christ, depending on your own attitude, I think, which mine can vary from month to month unfortunately)
"Jesus said, “They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Such men and women may focus on mastering a specific attribute or action but do not necessarily become as He is in their hearts."
Takes me back to another missionary experience. On my mission we taught people over and over the story of Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. I remember using that same scripture (Isaiah 29:13) to describe the clergy who lived during Joseph's time--the Apostasy which had resulted from the death of Christ and the subsequent deaths of all of his Apostles, led to a religious confusion in which each claimed to have the truth. This isn't to say that they were bad people, I just always considered this scripture to be talking about people who talk of Christ but don't actually have the correct understanding of his teachings, or the fullness of his teachings. So when I heard Elder Hales use this scripture talking to members of the church, talking to ME, I have to admit it stung a bit. The truth hurts.
"The attributes of the Savior, as we perceive them, are not a script to be followed or list to be checked off. They are interwoven characteristics, added one to another, which develop in us in interactive ways. In other words, we cannot obtain one Christlike characteristic without also obtaining and influencing others. As one characteristic becomes strong, so do many more."
I'm thinking of a current situation I've found myself in. As my 4 year old gets out into the world more and more, I'm seeing that he is learning things I don't always want him to learn. My gut reaction is to hide him from everything--i.e. "we just won't have friends that don't do things the way we do." While it would be impossible to do it anyway, it also wouldn't be Christlike. I just had the thought that as I strive to be like Christ, by welcoming into my life those who may do things a little differently from me, my kids will learn from my example about love and forgiveness and patience.
What a blessing it would be if they could understand THIS concept:
"As the Father is patient with us, His children, we become patient with one another and ourselves. We delight in the agency of others and the opportunity it gives them to grow “line upon line,”17 “brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”
A concept that I myself am still trying to grasp.
And even more than just being patient, actually serving those who aren't just different but who don't even like us:
"Like the Good Samaritan, we cross the road to minister to whoever is in need, even if they are not within the circle of our friends.We bless them that curse us. We do good to those who despitefully use us. Is any attribute more godly or Christlike?"
And then he references one of my all time favorite scriptures:
Moroni 7:47-48
Maybe I'll share my talk in another post, but for now, I want to start a new project. As I listened to Elder Hales' talk today in a quiet moment while I was doing a nap drive with my 2 year old, I wished I had a notebook on me to record a few thoughts I had. And then I got to thinking how much I gained from really studying out Elder Andersen's talk when I had to speak on it. And so I decided I would try to dissect one talk a week and really study it out and share my thoughts here on my blog. I haven't been good about writing the goings on of my family here, but I realized today I love to write about the gospel. Also, something about sharing these thoughts and inspirations helps them sink deeper into my mind--they are written on my heart, I believe is how it's described in one scripture--and again, just maybe something I share will at least be pertinent to some person who comes across it.
Starting with Elder Hales: "Becoming a Disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ"
"...genuine discipleship is a state of being. This suggests more than studying and applying a list of individual attributes. Disciples live so that the characteristics of Christ are woven into the fiber of their beings, as into a spiritual tapestry."
I remember at the MTC we were introduced to Preach My Gospel, which has a section on Christlike attributes. There is a quiz of sorts to see the areas where you can improve. I think following Christ starts there, but this image is so beautiful--I imagine that when I am like Christ it comes so naturally to me to do things like him that I no longer pause to think "What would Jesus do?" I imagine checking in on the women I visit teach not because I need to check that off my list but because I see them as Christ sees them and care that they are doing well and I desire to support them how I can in their individual journey of discipleship. (Visiting teaching is a program in our church where women are assigned in partnerships to visit 2-3 other women on a monthly basis--it can be viewed as a social responsibility or an opportunity to minister for Christ, depending on your own attitude, I think, which mine can vary from month to month unfortunately)
"Jesus said, “They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Such men and women may focus on mastering a specific attribute or action but do not necessarily become as He is in their hearts."
Takes me back to another missionary experience. On my mission we taught people over and over the story of Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. I remember using that same scripture (Isaiah 29:13) to describe the clergy who lived during Joseph's time--the Apostasy which had resulted from the death of Christ and the subsequent deaths of all of his Apostles, led to a religious confusion in which each claimed to have the truth. This isn't to say that they were bad people, I just always considered this scripture to be talking about people who talk of Christ but don't actually have the correct understanding of his teachings, or the fullness of his teachings. So when I heard Elder Hales use this scripture talking to members of the church, talking to ME, I have to admit it stung a bit. The truth hurts.
"The attributes of the Savior, as we perceive them, are not a script to be followed or list to be checked off. They are interwoven characteristics, added one to another, which develop in us in interactive ways. In other words, we cannot obtain one Christlike characteristic without also obtaining and influencing others. As one characteristic becomes strong, so do many more."
I'm thinking of a current situation I've found myself in. As my 4 year old gets out into the world more and more, I'm seeing that he is learning things I don't always want him to learn. My gut reaction is to hide him from everything--i.e. "we just won't have friends that don't do things the way we do." While it would be impossible to do it anyway, it also wouldn't be Christlike. I just had the thought that as I strive to be like Christ, by welcoming into my life those who may do things a little differently from me, my kids will learn from my example about love and forgiveness and patience.
What a blessing it would be if they could understand THIS concept:
"As the Father is patient with us, His children, we become patient with one another and ourselves. We delight in the agency of others and the opportunity it gives them to grow “line upon line,”17 “brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”
A concept that I myself am still trying to grasp.
And even more than just being patient, actually serving those who aren't just different but who don't even like us:
"Like the Good Samaritan, we cross the road to minister to whoever is in need, even if they are not within the circle of our friends.We bless them that curse us. We do good to those who despitefully use us. Is any attribute more godly or Christlike?"
And then he references one of my all time favorite scriptures:
Moroni 7:47-48
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.
I've always loved that idea that when Christ comes we will recognize him because we will share the same heart. We will see him for who he is because we will be like him. We won't miss the mark.
According to Elder Hales, the mark of a true disciple:
"There will be no disparity between the kindness we show our enemies and the kindness we bestow on our friends. We will be as honest when no one is looking as when others are watching. We will be as devoted to God in the public square as we are in our private closet."
This sounds lofty to me...I will have to set some goals to work on it this week.
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