Introspection

"Our sins entail upon our children and upon our spouse and cause them difficulties and trials in their own progression and spiritual journey.  Sad!"

I apparently jotted down this thought some time ago on a pace of paper that surfaced this morning.

Further thoughts;

Our own repentance is a blessing not only to ourselves but to our loved ones and anyone we associate with.  We can add happiness their lives by not being "just the way I am" but by humbly striving to change.

In the meantime rough edges serve the purpose of refining each other.  My husband made this great observation a few months back.  He compared the church of saints to a great rock polisher.  We are all thrown in the mix with an abrasive grit and have the opportunity of bumping up against each as we tumble through our associations in our church attendance and service.  Some rocks have been in there a while and are more smooth, others are new to the mix and some just need a lot of polishing!.  The end result however is quite beautiful!

That being said, it is a good idea to make an effort to hone those sharp edges through repentance so we cause as little grief in the mix as possible.  The abrasive grit, a necessary ingredient provided by providence, is ample friction on its own.

Lessons from Jeremiah and the Destruction of Jerusalem

Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet

Thoughts from Fall 2014 

I have been studying Jeremiah the past few weeks for my GD lesson.  The following points have stood out to me.

• Jeremiah was the prophet when Jerusalem, after years and years of warning, finally fell.
•  There were multiple prophets (including Lehi) at this time prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem.
•  There were false prophets among the true prophets.
•  Lehi was called to leave Jerusalem before it was destroyed.  His journey was difficult but not as difficult as those who remained in Jerusalem.   
• Mulek and his people escaped at the time of destruction.  It is interesting that because they left in haste they were less prepared (ie. no scriptures.)
•  Jeremiah (the weeping prophet)  was apparently called to stay behind and experience the destruction and captivity with the people. 

I thought these were significant parallels to our time and worth pondering.

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How Not to Be Deceived - Doctrine and Covenants 46:7

D&C Sec 46:7- The scriptures contain invitations that we often overlook.  Here is one pertinent for our day. 

7 But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 46:7)

We are to: 
1- Ask of God!  (He does give liberally and will answer.)

2- Do what the spirit testifies to us to do.

3- Do it in all holiness of heart.

4- Walk uprightly.

5- Keep in mind the eternal end goal.

5- Do it with prayer and thanksgiving (humility and gratitude).

The resultant blessing: 
1- We will not be seduced by evil spirits.

2- We will not be seduced by doctrines of devils.

3- We will not be seduced by commandments of men.