It was a wonderful General Conference weekend! If you missed any or all of the conference, or just want to enjoy the messages again, there are multiple ways to do that.

See the April 2017 General Conference link for videos of all the talks on the LDS.org General Conference page. You can also listen to all the music from the General Conference sessions (such as the hymn that inspired the title of this post, “Rejoice the Lord is King!”).

You can also listen to/watch the April 2017 General Conference via the following links:

LDS General Conference YouTube channel

Mormon Channel YouTube channel

Transcripts will be available in a couple of days, and conference files will be available for the Gospel Library app shortly as well. (You can already access the Women’s Session on the Gospel Library App.)

We would love to hear what stood out to you from conference messages.

Messages about love, light, building on the simple foundation of the gospel plan and principles, faith not fear, and staying centered in Christ are some of the messages rolling around in my mind and heart. After hearing President Monson talk about the Book of Mormon, we started the book over as a family. I’m more committed to focusing on the good in the world and using social media in that positive way.

It was also exciting to hear about five new temples announced.

The post Rejoice! #LDSConf links appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Did you have a chance to watch the General Women’s Meeting, the first session of the fall 2016 General Conference? If so, please share your thoughts below, or use the hashtag #ldsconf and If not, following are ways you can watch it (these are also online venues you can use for the rest of the General Conference Sessions next week).

Find the entire meeting at LDS.org’s General Conference page.

Watch the videos on the LDS General Conference YouTube channel or at the Mormon Channel YouTube channel.

Find a DVR recording of the General Women’s Meeting at byutv.org

Watch at byutv.org

Watch the embedded video here (includes prelude music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, so scroll to find the beginning of the meeting.)

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Listen to music from the Women’s meeting (and stay tuned for more music coming next weekend).

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Watch individual talks:

Jean B. Bingham

Carole M. Stephens

Bonnie L. Oscarson

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The post General Women’s Meeting Fall 2016 #ldsconf appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

One of the things I appreciate about being a part of this effort is to read the words of my fellow brothers and sisters. Their perspectives and experience enrich my experience engaging the words of the prophets. Of course, we don’t want our posts to replace the words of the prophets, but we hope perhaps this project will inspire you in some way, as it has us.
The other posts from this week’s reading, which focused on the Friday Afternoon Session of the April 1973 General Conference, are at the bottom of the post. (I’ve also included links to last week’s posts, because, again, I’m batting about 500 right now in getting posts written.)

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Image credit: The copyright on this image is owned by Jonathan Billinger and is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.

I love the doctrine of agency. I used to stress a lot about it, because I was (am) a (recovering) perfectionist who believed that the goal of mortality was to never make mistakes. Oh, how I misunderstood the doctrine! I was trying to save myself! What need is there for a Savior if I can save myself?

That’s not to say that I’m here justifying making mistakes or sinning. That’s not it at all. It’s just that I’ve come to not fear the process of engaging my own imperfect, mortal, fallen messiness in the process of trying to live in obedience to God’s commandments.

I also have come to understand that two of the greatest hindrances to faith are shame and fear. I’ve heard it said that shame lives in the past and fear lives in the future. The only place we can exercise agency as mortals, however, is in the present.

Even Eastern philosophies, psychology, and other fields recognize the power of being present, being mindful, being deliberate. What these philosophies don’t have is the understanding of the Atonement — which is what buys us time and space — a probationary period — and makes it possible for us to surrender and learn from the past (learn from it but don’t live in it, paraphrasing Elder Holland).

One of the principles of healthy living that I have learned is “just do the next right thing.” This is one way I remind myself to stay in the present — to not look back at mistakes in shame or to look ahead to the future in fear. All God asks is for me to exercise agency in the now. The Atonement can cover the past as I learn from it, and God has the future of my life in His hands. [My] days are known and [my] years will not be numbered less.” I can follow His plan for me when I plug into doing whatever the right next thing is. The Spirit can help me know through the flow of my day what the next right thing is, if I will keep myself open to God’s guidance and will, and, as the scriptures say, not to the “will of the flesh.”

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;

And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom.

This principle was so beautifully taught in the talk by John H. Vandenberg entitled “The Agency of Man.”

[A]ll individuals are confronted with decisions to make every day, and whatever the choice, it is commensurate with the persuasion of the heart.

These persuasions of the heart are related to two opposing forces constantly at work within every human being. They are the forces of good and evil, which the Master referred to as God and mammon. Coupled with these forces is the individual’s power to reason, which only man, of all God’s creations, possesses. This enables him to make choices.

I like how Elder Vandenberg talks about how reason is part of the process. When we talk about following the Spirit, it’s a choice that we make, consciously, with our minds, to follow God and our best knowledge of what the next right thing will be.

One of the things that used to trip me up about all of this was the fear that maybe I would misread the Spirit and make a wrong choice. So I would still be in fear, still afraid of what might happen if I make the wrong choice. I now understand so much better that the very nature of this existence is to learn to make choices, and, as Elder Scott would often teach, sometimes the next right thing will be something we are left to reason out alone for a time. When our desires are right, eventually God will clarify for us in His way and time. This process of making choices, learning from our decisions and mistakes, and constantly seeking to understand and align ourselves with the Spirit of the Lord is what builds character. This is something Elder Scott would teach, and I loved reading similar words shared in this talk by Elder Vandenberg:

The forces governed by his own reasoning determine the nature and quality of the choice made. Thus, that which we call character is formed. We refer to this privilege of choice as the agency of man.

It was a timely talk, too, seeing as as I write, election day in my state has just passed. Elder Vandenberg quotes a Jim Love who says,

“[E]very day is election day, for throughout every hour of every day we each exercise our right of choice. We don’t have to have a local or national election in order to elect or vote. … A man’s election can determine the deciding vote for or against his own success. … You elect to gain a thorough knowledge of your business or you don’t. You elect to be honest or you don’t. You elect to save a part of what you earn or you don’t. You elect to always do your best or you don’t. And by your own election you will be defeated or you will succeed.” (Jim Love, R&R Magazine, Research and Review Service of America, Inc., vol. 10, p. 64.)”

(That’s a powerful concept for an election year, too, wouldn’t you say?)

“Choice is an element of human dignity,” says another person quoted in this talk.

One of the things I appreciated about Elder Vandenberg’s talk is that he made it clear that true reason is aligned with truth. (It’s hard not to just make the observation that in light of this idea, with which I agree, arguments about faith vs. reason really are false arguments.)

The knowledge on which to pursue our reasoning is in [the scriptures]” and words of the prophets.

I’ve been watching my 17-year-old son bring these principles to light. As he prepares for his mission, which is a short year away, he’s pondering how he can more closely align his life with God. I have been inspired watching him humbly take counsel from his dad and me, notice patterns in his life and the quiet nudgings from the Spirit to get off of plateaus that he was sensing, a desire to align his life with what the prophets are teaching (including using missionary preparation tools and assignments to reason through what that means). I told him tonight that one of the unexpected blessings of being a parent is to watch God at work in my children’s lives. It strengthens my testimony to see them wrestle through their problems and weaknesses, and engage true principles and practices, especially personal scripture study and prayer, to connect with God so that they can know what the next right things are in their lives.

As a mom, part of what it means to me to love the doctrine of agency is to watch myself and my tendency to want to control their lives, rather than let them learn by experience and live their lives. Of course, we do all we can as parents. We do daily scriptures and prayers, Family Home Evening, church meetings on Sundays, temple attendance, etc. We talk about prophetic teachings a lot as well.

But none of those things will have their full power unlocked in my life or in my children’s lives unless choices are made to act and align and assess and repent and continuously seek God’s personal guidance for the things that only God knows about their lives. I’m reminded of another teaching from Elder Scott who said that once you start to understand how personal revelation works, the surety you can feel can exceed what you can see with your natural eyes. Elder Vandenberg uses the words ‘convincing logic’ but to me it’s more than just logic. It’s light and light makes sense when you learn to trust and follow it.

The Lord’s call to us is: “Come now, and let us reason together. …” (Isa. 1:18.) He wants us to listen to and consider his doctrine. The scriptures tell us this: “… that men might be made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed, the Lord sent forth the fulness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness and simplicity.” (D&C 133:57.)

He wants us to become acquainted with his gospel, to test it, to prove it, to participate in it, and to use it as a base on which to make our decisions. This is that men might base their choices on truth. When reason is joined with truth, there is convincing logic that sets up the path in our hearts that leads upward and onward to a nobler life.

Did I mention that I love the doctrine of agency? There is no Atonement without it. It is exciting to take one day at a time and to learn and grow “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little.”

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light [and reasons in the light of truth], and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

I am so grateful to know of the doctrine of the plan of God, within which the doctrine of agency is central. I used to be afraid of all the choices, but now I am learning to embrace the delightful discovery process of learning to trust light and truth, to trust God, and to seek for the divine help and courage to act upon whatever truth becomes clear through study and faith. I find that God’s mercy is greater than I ever imagined, even when sometimes I make mistakes or get lazy. But I really find His power when I act. Faith truly is a principle of action and of power.

I would recommend this talk. It is full of great quotes and many powerful scriptures too numerous to share here.

And I would recommend reading thoughts from my friends about what inspired them from this week’s reading (and last week’s reading).

– Reason and Truth Rattling Around My Brain by Nathaniel Givens
http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/…/reason-and-truth-…

– Watchman, Warn the Wicked by G
http://www.jrganymede.com/20…/…/28/watchman-warn-the-wicked/

– Moral Foundations and Sacred Testimony by Daniel Ortner
https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/…/moral-foundation…/

– Doubts and People by Walker Wright
http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/…/06/28/doubts-peo…/

– That Which is of Most Value by SilverRain
http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/…/that-which-is-of-most-v…

Are We Listening to Their Warnings? by Jan Tolman
http://www.ldswomenofgod.com/are-we-listening-to-their-war…/

– The Political is Personal by Marilyn Nielson
http://light-in-leaves.blogspot.com/…/the-political-is-pers…

Here’s the list of posts from last week, featuring thoughts from the  Friday morning session of the April 1973 General Conference:

– Leadership in the Kingdom by Nathaniel Givens
http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/…/leadership-in-th…/

– Japan is for the Japanese by G
http://www.jrganymede.com/…/japanese-saints-american-saints/

– Individual Testimonies of the Divinity of this Work by Daniel Ortner
https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/…/individual-testi…/

– “In the Kingdom of Our Heavenly Father No Man is a ‘Nobody.’” byWalker Wright
http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/…/in-the-kingdom-o…/

– So Simple a Call by SilverRain
http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2016/…/so-simple-call.html

– It must begin with you personally by Marilyn Nielson
http://light-in-leaves.blogspot.com/…/it-must-begin-with-yo…

The post #ldsconf Odyssey: Just do the next right thing appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

One of the things I appreciate about being a part of this effort is to read the words of my fellow brothers and sisters. Their perspectives and experience enrich my experience engaging the words of the prophets. Of course, we don’t want our posts to replace the words of the prophets, but we hope perhaps this project will inspire you in some way, as it has us.   

The other posts from this week’s reading, which focused on the Sunday Afternoon Session of the October 1972 General Conference, are at the bottom of the post. (I’ve also included links to last week’s posts.)

There were a lot of things that stood out to me from this week’s reading for the General Conference Odyssey, but there is one message I feel most pressed to record for my life’s record.

The quote I will center my thoughts around in from Hartman Rector, Jr.

“[D]o the right thing because you love the Lord. It is so vitally important that, I feel, if you do anything in righteousness for any other reason than you love the Lord, you are wrong—at least you are on very shaky ground. And, somewhere your reasons for acting in righteousness will not be strong enough to see you through. You will give way to expediency, or peer group pressure, or honor, or fame, or applause, or the thrill of the moment, or some other worldly reason. Unless your motives are built upon the firm foundation of love of the Lord, you will not be able to stand.”

As a recovering perfectionist and people-pleaser, this concept of doing things for the right reasons is a critical life principle for me. I repeat the phrase “Do it for God” on almost a daily basis. But I can feel that God wants me to understand this little mantra of mine more deeply. This week, the concept of offering all that I do to God (and God alone) has come through in multiple ways: in a movie my daughter and I watched a week ago, in my 12-step meeting this week, in Relief Society on Sunday.

One hand, it seems so simple. Just do good because you love God. I think few of us who are religious choose such a life without some measure of love for God. And yet, the natural-man tendencies to want human reassurance are strong for me. As Elder Carl B. Cook said in his 2012 General Conference talk, “Look Up”:

I think the challenge for all of us…is to try not to look sideways to see how others are viewing our lives but to look up to see how Heavenly Father sees us. He doesn’t look on the outward appearance but on the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). And He knows, better than anyone else, what each one of us needs.

In addition to having the fear of man inside of me, I also am coming to realize that while I have always loved God and tried to be obedient, I have also feared Him. I have misunderstood His character. I spent four decades thought somehow I had to earn His love through my behavior and mistake-free living. I had grown up believing that God was somehow keeping score on my life, and I could never measure up. I wore myself out by trying to earn something that was freely given and always available.

I am still basking in this quote from Elder Rector, and the power of the scripture he shared as well.

It seems that, at this day and time, everything is in a state of change. There appears to be nothing in this life that is not subject to erosion, or decay, or just change for the sake of change—like the new automobile models each year. There is only one place where we can go and find consistency, and that is where Joseph went: to the Lord, for “he is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” And the most important fact is that there is no place you can go where he is not. In the words of the psalmist,

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

“If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

“If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

“Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

“If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

“Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” (Ps. 139:7–12.)

I’m reminded of the quote from the last General Conference that left me weeping and still leaves me rejoicing. (*See footnote) Elder Holland said,

“My brothers and sisters, the first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life. Indeed it is only with that reassurance burning in our soul that we can have the confidence to keep trying to improve, keep seeking forgiveness for our sins, and keep extending that grace to our neighbor.”

President Uchtdorf also testified, “The sheep is worthy of divine rescue simply because it is loved by the Good Shepherd.”

I use my little mantra, “Do it for God” whenever I feel myself slipping into insecurities, or worrying about what people think of me, or second-guessing myself, or trying to explain/justify/defend myself to get someone’s approval, or trying to manipulate or control someone else. But even after writing this post I’m realizing that the real message of “Do it for God” is more something like this:

Believe that His love for you and everyone else really is that big, so there is no reason to worry. He’s got this.

I am so grateful to be learning more in a heart-deep kind of way how much He loves us all. How much He loves me.

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*God is amazing. He knows how to prepare the ground of my heart for truths I most desperately need. He uses many ways and means (see Alma 37:7) for my salvation. My heart had been prepared for Elder Holland’s words months before General Conference, in part because of chapter in a book by by Max Lucado (creator of children’s books about a beloved character named Punchinello). The chapter was about the New Testament story of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet — a story that has become a favorite of mine in the past year. Lucado talks about how often we try to willpower our way to Christlike living — and fail in our efforts.

“[W]e try. Teeth clenched. Jaw firm. We’re going to love [serve God and others, obey] if it kills us. And it may do just that.

“Could it be that we are missing a step? Could it be that the first step of love is not toward [others] but toward [God]?…. (1 John 4:19)

“Long to be more loving? Begin by accepting your place as a dearly loved child…. (Eph. 5:1-2)

“Want to learn to forgive? Then consider how you have been forgiven…. (Eph. 4:32)

Finding it hard to put others first? Think of the way Christ put your first…. (Phil. 2:6)

Need more patience? Drink from the patience of God” (2 Pet. 3:9). Is generosity an elusive virtue? Then consider how generous God has been with you (Rom. 5:8). Having trouble putting up with ungrateful relatives or cranky neighbors? God puts up with you when you act the same…. (Luke 6:35)

(Cast of Characters, p. 24; scripture references included in original; NIV is used by author)

As John said, “We love him, because he first loved us.” The next time I think of doing whatever I’m doing for God, I’m going to also remind myself to consider all He has done and continues to do for me. Loving Him is so much easier when I first let Him love me.

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This week’s posts from the General Conference Odyssey:

A Little Weird is the Best Case Scenario

God of the Gaps

https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/the-gospel-is-never-more-beautiful/

“That Is How Christ Feels, and So Should We”

http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2016/06/hands-of-god.html
http://light-in-leaves.blogspot.com/2016/06/i-cannot-go-back.html

Last week’s posts, discussing the Sunday morning session of October 1972’s General Conference:

• Saviors in the Home by Nathaniel Givens
• A Home Where Mission is Part of Life by G
• Satan’s Effort to Influence and Control the Human Mind by Daniel Ortner
• Abomination and Understanding, Works and Grace by Ralph Hancock
• Divorce, Pornography, Turner, Persky, and Being a Mormon Woman by SilverRain
• Zombies, Mormons, and Ants by Jan Tolman
• We are the catalyst by Marilyn Nielson

The post Do it for God (i.e., Let Him love you!) #ldsconf Odyssey appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons; Photographer Girlfierce Photography. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. The photo is entitled “One Step a Time”

There’s been a theme showing up in my life the past few days, something I wanted to write about. It’s summed up in one word: Obedience.

That word, though. Sometimes it can give me a little bit of a panic attack — not because I don’t believe in it, but because my perfectionistic self has spent a lot of time over the years hand-wringing about my inability to be perfectly obedient to all of God’s commandments all of the time. I am also easily overwhelmed at the checklists of what Good Mormons Do. In addition, I have sweat a lot of bullets over the years about how very short I fall in being like the Savior in terms of character traits.

Because, after all, He was perfect. 

And I’m not.

Many months ago, I set to trying to understand this key doctrinal principle better. I turned to Nephi in the Book of Mormon, because Nephi talks a lot about obedience. I thought maybe he’d be able to teach me something.

Teach me he did. (Well, the Lord taught me, but you know what I mean.)

I was reminded, of course, that Nephi was an obedient soul. He lived the law of Moses. He cared about the Ten Commandments (or else he wouldn’t have cared about the whole Laban thing). And, like I said, he just talked a lot about obedience. It mattered to him.

But what I noticed as I studied more about Nephi and his obedience is that a good portion of the time when he was talking about obedience, he was talking about obedience to personal revelation, not about the general commandments God gives us all. (Again, obedience in that sense mattered to him.)

But this additional insight about obedience really mattered to me, because suddenly it made obedience more personal — something that isn’t just about me trying to be a Good Christian or a Good Mormon, but about me coming to know what God wants me, Michelle, to know and do in my own life.

I’ve been thinking about Nephi again this week. I read a letter from a nephew who just entered the Missionary Training Center. His letters are amazing. (Speaking of Nephi, he organizes his letters into “Large Plates” general stuff and “Small Plates” spiritual insights. Love it.)

As I read his letter to one of my daughters, a thread appeared in his letter. I combine something he said in the Large Plates part of his letter with something from the Small Plates.

We’re currently teaching a tentative atheist…who has lots of questions. Our discussions are super fun but we always manage to get across an important central message and commitment regardless of her slightly random questions. She’s progressing and seeks more light and truth every day, and is willing to do so by keeping commitments (D&C 93:28). [Read that scripture — it matters to this post.]….

There are three main levels of scripture study: learning information, gaining insight, and receiving revelation. The first one builds knowledge, the second builds understanding, but the third will always include personal application and a call to action by the Spirit. I realized that I am too often blinded by information and too easily satisfied with insight that I don’t gain the most important objective.

In a similar vein, the high level of repetition in church lessons, the scriptures, and ordinances of the gospel and temples are not intended for informative purposes alone, but to facilitate revelatory experiences….

Receiving revelation will only increase our faith if we act on it. Hence, Laman and Lemuel built no lasting faith from signs and angels because they didn’t act upon the answers the received.

That insight about Laman and Lemuel really struck me. A key thing that separated them from the happiness that Nephi and his people found was simple obedience, acting upon what they had seen and learned.

It was with my nephew’s thoughts rolling around in my mind and heart that I re-read the first talk in the Saturday afternoon session of October 1972 General Conference.

The life of the Savior is replete with instances where he applied the principle of “Thy will be done, not mine.” Christ’s ability to apply this great principle in his life made it possible for him to become perfect.

As we apply “Thy will be done, not mine” in our lives, we will likewise move toward perfection and true happiness….

To obtain the desired happiness on this earth and in the world to come, we must steadfastly face trials and tribulations regardless of the form they take, with the spirit, “Thy will be done, not mine.”

My mind then drifted to a quote that is shared in the Church’s 12-step program — a program that for me is a key part of my spiritual life. This is from Elder Neal A. Maxwell:

“The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. It is a hard doctrine, but it is true. The many other things we give to God, however nice that may be of us, are actually things He has already given us, and He has loaned them to us. But when we begin to submit ourselves by letting our wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him” (“Insights from My Life,” Ensign, Aug. 2000, 9).

(As a side-note: This is not an easy concept for me to grasp, in part because I sometimes simply don’t know that I know what God’s will is. That is part of my hand-wringing, too. Sometimes I spend so much time and energy worrying about what God wants me to do, afraid of doing something wrong. And yet…what I am learning as I come to know God better is that His will often makes itself known. I don’t have to wring my hands or worry myself. That doesn’t mean I don’t ever have to wrestle (again, I think of Nephi), but God does find ways to let me know what He wants me to do. More on that in a minute.)

A couple of hours after this train of thought was moving in me, I happened to need President Uchtdorf’s most recent talk (He Will Place You On His Shoulders and Carry You Home) for something I was working on. Once again, the message of willing obedience was right there for me to ponder.

Because [the Good Shepherd] loves you, He will find you. He will place you upon His shoulders, rejoicing. And when He brings you home, He will say to one and all, “Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”

But, you might be thinking, what is the catch? Surely I have to do more than simply wait to be rescued.

While our loving Father desires that all of His children return to Him, He will force no one to heaven.⁴ God will not rescue us against our will.

So what must we do?

Usually, my brain gets ready for the checklist, or the injunction we often hear to keep ALL of God’s commandments. But like I said (even though I’m a basic commandment follower), that concept of ALL overwhelms my anxious, perfectionistic mortal brain. President Uchtdorf’s thoughts reflect more of what I’ve experienced as I’ve come to understand more about how God works in my life.

[Coming to Christ] requires a little faith. But do not despair. If you cannot muster faith right now, begin with hope.

If you cannot say you know God is there, you can hope that He is. You can desire to believe.⁸ That is enough to start.

Then, acting on that hope, reach out to Heavenly Father. God will extend His love toward you, and His work of rescue and transformation will begin.

Over time, you will recognize His hand in your life. You will feel His love. And the desire to walk in His light and follow His way will grow with every step of faith you take.

We call these steps of faith “obedience.”

Elder Richards says that obedience is the key to perfection. And that was how I was going to title this post.

What I felt as I read Elder Richards’ talk, though, was more along the lines of what President Uchtdorf said. This kind of line-upon-line obedience that President Uchtdorf describes is an obedience that I can wrap my brain around. I can seek to engage with God, today, seeking to see His hand, today, and by doing this each day, I can increase in faith and faithfulness. I can increase in grace and truth…just as Jesus did.  (Huh. Maybe it’s easier to be like Jesus than I thought.) The difference between me and Jesus is that I have a Savior to make up the difference. He had to walk it all perfectly (but how did He do it? By engaging with God each moment, each day), and because He did that, all I have to do is start where I am, today. It’s my job to be mortal. It’s His job to make up the difference.

Start where you are (another President Uchtdorf phrase)! Isn’t that a hope-filled thought? One day at a time, we can be perfected as we become more perfect in our trust in God’s will and love for us — collectively and individually.

As I wrote this post, a favorite insight from a 12-step author I love came to mind. I end my post with her thoughts.

“I’ve learned some ideas about God’s will for my life, about God, and about my relationship to God. God’s will is not an outside, impossible, forced agenda for my life. If it’s God’s will, it happens. Usually, it happens naturally, without any control efforts required on my part.

“At times, there have been hard lessons to learn. These lessons had to be learned, however, to work things out inside me so I could have the best possible life.

“Usually, I have to wait longer than I want to. And much letting go is involved in the process.

“God’s love is immediate and powerful, yet gentle, healing, and nurturing. It takes into account what I want and need. God’s will contains discipline, not deprivation….

“Stepping into God’s care is a gentle step, one that brings peace and harmony.” (Melodie Beattie, A Codependent’s Guide to the Twelve Steps, p. 55)

– – – – –

Posts from this week’s General Conference Odyssey are below.

– All Things Work for Good, Even Detours by Nathaniel Givens
http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/…/all-things-work-f…

– – – –

Posts from last week’s Odyssey (highlighting the 1972 Saturday morning session) are below:

– Home is Heaven’s Construction Site by Nathaniel Givens
http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/…/home-is-heavens-…/

The post Obedience — Start where you are #ldsconf Odyssey appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I’m just realizing that in my behind-ness on the General Conference Odyssey that I read the talks from the wrong session. I read the October 1972 Friday afternoon session talks rather than Saturday morning’s talks.

Ah, well. Count this as catching up for last week.

Here are the posts from my General Conference Odyssey friends from last week.

And you can find last week’s posts here:

• A Grand Fundamental Principle by Nathaniel Givens
• Making Ourselves Perfect by G.
• God Will Let You Know by Daniel Ortner
• Tough Love by Ralph Hancock
• I’ll Be There For You by Walker Wright
• A Friend to Hate by SilverRain
• Rise Above “Normal” by Jan Tolman

The thing that struck me in my reading is the messages that specifically share what is unique about Mormonism. In my personal spiritual journey the past couple of years, I’ve come to realize how expansive God’s love and reach is. I see God and His love at work in so many different people’s lives, regardless of religious background, current alignment (or lack thereof) with the Ten Commandments, etc. I have come to know a God who truly is “no respecter of persons,” and who truly loves His children and earnestly does all He can to bless and help them.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I also know that the Church is true, and that it has a mission and role that no other organization can fulfill.

It sometimes is difficult for me to assimilate these two realities — that God is, as Joseph Smith said, “more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive….”

In nearly the same breath, Joseph Smith also said “The Lord Almighty has…so firmly established the dispensation of the fullness of the priesthood in the last days, that all the powers of earth and hell can never prevail against it.”

I was trying to find a quote that basically suggested that when trying to understand Mormonism, it is important to know what the Church is and what it isn’t. In my experience, I’m coming to see that the Church isn’t the only way for people to find God or His love. It is not the only way for people to connect with God and find answers and divine inspiration. I am so deeply inspired by people who are inspired by God to serve others, to create art or music or other creative works, and to teach true principles. (e.g., I recently found distinct temple truths in a beautiful book by someone who knows nothing of temple ordinances, and my favorite quote from an apostle at General Conference was reiterating something I’d found in a Christian pastor’s book!) I was inspired to see Jews who have converted to Christianity teaching other Jews about Isaiah 53 (a chapter apparently removed from the scriptures in Jewish synagogues), helping them see that the chapter and other Old Testament scriptures were prophesying of the Messiah, who was and is Jesus Christ.

Even with all of this good that is out there, good that is impacting my life, often in very personal ways, especially when reading General Conference talks, I’m reminded of all the uniqueness of the restored Church of Jesus Christ.

This session of conference that I read this week (which was actually last week’s reading), outlined some of the things that are unique and important to our Church.

• The doctrine of eternal life, as described by Elder Brockbank. “Eternal life in the kingdom of God is far beyond his universal gift of immortality and is God’s greatest gift to all mankind; it can only be brought about through obedience to the doctrines and commandments taught by Jesus Christ….Contrary to what many think, just believing in God and being virtuous and pure are not sufficient to qualify a person for entrance into the kingdom of heaven….It is important to know that all of the requirements for entrance into the kingdom of God were personally given by Jesus Christ and are recorded in his holy scriptures. There will be many good people turned away from entrance into the kingdom of heaven because they failed to know and follow the Lord’s plan of life.”

• Doctrinal teaching about what happens after death. I was thinking about what it would be like to not know about what happens after death. “After mortal death the spirit goes to paradise and remains there until the appointed time for its resurrection into immortality and eternal life. Heaven, which is the kingdom of God, is where those who have been obedient to God’s plan of life and salvation go after judgment and the resurrection.”

• How do we know what happens after death? One way we know is because of the record of what the Savior did after He died. We also have modern-day revelation about this.

• We are unique in the claim that God and Jesus Christ appeared, in person, to a young man named Joseph Smith when he was only 14 years old. He was a farm boy, a person of no consequence in social or educational or professional circles. And yet he was called to be a prophet and to restore the true Church, translate ancient scripture, receive restored priesthood keys and authority from ancient Church leaders who walked and talked with Christ during His ministry. Elder Joseph Anderson said, “To Joseph Smith was given the commission and the authorization from heaven to restore to earth the doctrine, organization, and authority of Christ’s church to a people who had lost the fundamentals of true religion. Joseph Smith’s successors have built and are building upon the foundation that Joseph laid through revelation from God in proclaiming its truth to all the world and in preparing a people to meet the Savior when he shall come to reign upon the earth a thousand years in peace and righteousness.”

• Also from Elder Anderson: “God the Father and his beloved Son have manifested themselves in this dispensation. Heavenly messengers have personally restored the priesthood of God, the power to act in his name. The Spirit of God is operating upon the minds of men and women everywhere. Light and knowledge are being poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth. Marvelous scientific developments are being used to make possible and speed up the preaching of the restored gospel to mankind.

  “Temples are being built and ordinances performed therein in accordance with the plan of life and salvation which pertains to all mankind, both the living and the dead. Yes, a great and a marvelous work has come forth among the children of men, and God is pouring out his Spirit upon all flesh.”

• We have commandments. From Elder ElRay Christiansen, “Some may wonder why the Lord gives commandments and requires us to enter into covenants with him. Or, as one person asked: ‘If the Lord loves us, why does he give us commandments? If he loves us, why does he say “Thou shalt” or “Thou shalt not”?’

  “A simple answer to these questions is, he commands us because he loves us. He knows perfectly well what will bring us peace and success in our individual lives and in the world and what will bring the opposite.

  “Just as any father would direct (or even restrict) his children if it would be a blessing to the children, so our Father in heaven gives us commandments, laws, and covenants, not for the sole purpose of restricting us or burdening us, but rather that we may, through obedience to correct principles, find peace and success.”

• We have opportunities to make covenants through priesthood ordinances. No other Church on earth is authorized to perform ordinances with priesthood authority. These covenants are sacred, even critical to our eternal destiny. “Each one of us has made covenants with the Lord and has agreed before God in sacred places that we will observe his laws, which, after all, are the principles by which we must learn to live in order to qualify ourselves for the greatest of all the gifts of God, which he says is eternal life, our life in the ‘family kingdom.'”

(I always love the feeling particularly in temples where people speak with one voice in simple ways to affirm their desire to be in a covenant relationship with God.)

• Family history or genealogy work is not just a hobby for Latter-day Saints. It becomes part of our covenant responsibility, because we believe in helping those who have died to receive ordinances in temples, whereby they have the opportunity to accept or reject the covenants that are made by proxy on their behalf. I liked how Theodore Burton called it priesthood genealogy. “Priesthood genealogy is an exciting, living, vital program involving the whole family. Elijah came to turn the hearts of children to their parents and parents to their children, so priesthood genealogy and temple work is a family affair, a total family program involving children, youth, and parents. We ought to change our attitudes toward priesthood genealogy and realize that the real impact of this program converges on each individual member of the Church.”

• Temples are an essential part of the family history work, the culminating purpose of genealogy. The intent is to bring ordinances to individuals and sealing ordinances (eternal marriages) to a husband and wife, who can have their children then sealed to them. Priesthood keys and authority make this work possible, a work that binds what is done on earth to heaven. “The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the keys of the revelation, ordinances, oracles, powers, and endowments of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth: and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto their fathers, even those who are in heaven.” (Documentary History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 251. Italics added.)….

  “Elijah brought the keys to perform all the sacred ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God. All these most sacred ordinances necessary for man’s exaltation in the life to come, even eternal life, are accepted by God only when they are performed in his sacred house, a temple of God.

  “For this reason, the children of Israel constructed an “ark of the covenant,” which was portable, so they might have the blessings of the kingdom of God.

  “To receive the fullness of the blessings of exaltation, even eternal life, man must receive all the law and the ordinances of God’s kingdom.”

• And here we come full circle to the doctrine of eternal life. Mormonism concerns itself greatly with the greatest of all the gifts of God — that of eternal life.

• We also believe that prophets are called of God to help communicate these important doctrines and administer in these saving ordinances. Ezra Taft Benson issued an invitation with regard to these truths.

  “Now this marvelous message—that God has spoken to prophets in our day and reestablished his church—is for all the world. When Nathanael questioned Philip, telling him that he had found Jesus, Philip responded by saying, “Come and see.” (John 1:46.)

  “So do we respond, “Come and see.” Men can deceive you, but God will not. If you sincerely desire to know of the truthfulness of this message, then make it a matter of fervent prayer, study it out, test it out, and God will let you know.

  “Would you like to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and if the Book of Mormon is scripture sent from God? Then put it to the test. Read the Book of Mormon, and near its close you will find a promise that is given to everyone who reads that volume; and this is the promise: that if you will ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, if this book is true, and if you will ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, then our Heavenly Father will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moro. 10:4.)”

There are other facets of Mormonism that make it unique, but the leaders who spoke in the 1972 October Conference on Friday afternoon spoke clearly of some of the most important pieces of our unique doctrine and practices. For those unfamiliar with our faith (or even those who are in our Church), these talks would be worth reading. It is uplifting to be reminded of the miraculous roots of our Church’s restoration, and the reality that Jesus Christ is at the head of the Church, under the direction of His and our Father in Heaven.

I know this Church is what it claims it is. It is not the vehicle for all the good that God has to offer His children, but it is the authorized vehicle for the ordinances, doctrines, authority, and covenants necessary to follow Christ in a complete way (with authorized ordinances and teachings) and to prepare for eternal life.

My friends who are actually on schedule for the General Conference Odyssey wrote about the Saturday morning session of the 1972 General Conference. You can read their posts in the links below.

– Home is Heaven’s Construction Site by Nathaniel Givens
http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/…/home-is-heavens-…/

– Family–Isn’t it about Time, and Eternity? by G
http://www.jrganymede.com/…/family-isnt-it-about-time-and-e…

– Preach in Season and Out of Season by Daniel Ortner
https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/…/preach-in-seaso…/…

– A Love Story by Jan Tolman
http://www.ldswomenofgod.com/a-love-story/

The post What makes Mormonism unique? #ldsconf appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

One of the things I appreciate about being a part of this effort is to read the words of my fellow brothers and sisters. Their perspectives and experience enrich my experience engaging the words of the prophets. Of course, we don’t want our posts to replace the words of the prophets, but we hope perhaps this project will inspire you in some way, as it is inspiring us, to engage their words with more deliberateness and faith.

The other posts from this week’s reading, which focused on the Sunday Afternoon Session of the April 1972 General Conference, are at the bottom of the post.

(I was having login troubles when it was time to post for this week’s General Conference Odyssey, and even though it’s almost time for next week’s post, I still wanted to share some thoughts, mostly because I need them.)

– – – –

In the April 1972 conference, there was a lot said about the priesthood. I love this topic. I love learning and pondering about the priesthood (and the relationship of women to priesthood), for example.

But the past several months, I’ve felt more drawn to talks that can guide me in my personal relationship with God, and in my spiritual health. So it’s not surprising that the talk that caught my attention from this week’s reading was Eldred G. Smith’s talk entitled “Peace.”

In that upper room in Jerusalem where the Last Supper was held, Jesus gave his disciples considerable instructions. Among many things he taught them, he said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.)

Again he said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33.)

Humans crave peace. It’s been a topic in cultural and political discourse throughout the ages. And yet, as Elder Smith points out, peace is often elusive — at least in the world around us.

I’ve been noticing lately how easily agitated I can be by news stories or social media chatter or things outside of my control that my brain latches onto. I too often want to engage in topics and conversations that, in reality, sap me of energy. As Nephi would say, there is much that can “destroy my peace and afflict my soul.”

I believe in being informed and engaged in the world around me. But there’s a fine line within myself that I’m trying to learn to discern  — that place where I go from proactively choosing to be informed and appropriately engaged to being reactively distracted, sucked in, or even emotionally and mentally hijacked.

I also find that sometimes I do exactly as Elder Smith describes. Sometimes I expect the world around me and other people to make my life peaceful.

How is it that we have not discovered the secret of peace when we have been looking for it all through the ages? I’ll tell you. We are looking for someone to create it for us—to bring it to us. Edna St. Vincent Millay said: “There is no peace on earth today, save the peace in the heart at home with God. … No man can be at peace with his neighbor who is not at peace with himself. …” (“Conversations at Midnight,” Collected Poems, Harper & Row, Copyright 1937 and 1964.)

Elder Smith lists various things that can help foster peace, or hinder it. Rather than repeat his list, I will just invite you to join me in considering a list of your own, things that bring peace to you vs. things that “destroy your peace” or “afflict your soul.”

We all ache for a world and for relationships that are founded in peace. There is only one way to truly live in peace. It is to have our lives based in the principles that the Prince of Peace lived and taught. To have Him as the center of our minds and hearts and lives.

If each person would have peace within his soul, then there would be peace in the family. If there is peace in each family, then there is peace in the nation. If there is peace in the nations, there is peace in the world.

Let us not just sing, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me,” but let us mean it. Make it my goal—your goal.

When the Savior comes again—and he will come—he will bring peace only as we will accept and follow his teachings of service to others and eliminate enmity and unrighteousness. [And, I believe, as we let Him help us become more service-oriented and loving.]

Here’s a song that is helping me recenter when I’m feeling agitated or stressed. I like to also remind myself that God’s will is for me to feel His love and peace. Turning my thoughts to Christ and taking a deep breath can help me hear His Spirit and feel His guidance more in my life.

Just breathe.

All of the posts from this week’s #ldsconf Odyssey are below:

• The Peace of Knowing God by Nathaniel Givens
• Blessings in General Conference by G
• The Cure for What Ails Us by Daniel Ortner
• Peace by Michelle Linford
• “Peace Be Unto You” by Walker Wright
• To Know HIM is To Love HIM by Jan Tolman

The post #ldsconf Odyssey: Peace appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

– – –

I heard somewhere recently that they were interested that essentially nothing was said in General Conference a couple of weeks ago about the crazy, heated election year in the United States. I thought it was refreshing and instructive that we had peace from the contention and time to reflect on the messages of the gospel, rather than the political posturings so prevalent our day.

I imagine if a talk had been given in Conference, though, it might have been something like the talk Harold B. Lee gave in 1972. I was tempted to just link to the talk and call it good, because it’s jam-packed with great thoughts. I encourage you to read it.

Listen to how he begins his talk:

This year is again a most important year of decision for our day. Some have even said that this is the most critical period in the history of this nation and of the world.

I have heard something along those lines, and thought something along those lines. I loved what Elder Lee said in response to that mindset, however.

I believe it is an illusion to say that this is the most critical, decisive time. Write it upon the hearts of all of us that every dispensation has been just as decisive, and likewise that every year has been the most decisive year and time for ourselves, for this nation, and for the world. This is our day and time when honorable men [and women] must be brought forward to meet the tremendous challenges before us.

I think this is a wise perspective. Every age has mattered in God’s big picture, and the present is always the most important time for each of us, for it’s all we have.

So how can we engage our civic responsibilities in a way that can help the world face its challenges, and help God’s work along?

Below I will highlight a few points of counsel Elder Lee offered. I appreciate so much the power of true principles as a guide in all aspects of our lives, including engaging in the political process.

1. Elder Lee talks of the gift of conscience, encouraging people to follow their consciences. He quotes Henry Ward Beecher: “’Expedients are for an hour,’ someone has said, ‘but principles are for the ages.'” And he encourages those with civic responsibilities to be prayerful and seek for divine guidance in their work.
2. I’ve been feeling for a while that there is power in standing for something, rather than spending too much time working against something. I was interested to see Elder Lee saying something along these lines:

“If we overemphasize the philosophies of the enemies of righteousness instead of teaching forcefully the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, such overemphasis can only serve to stir up controversy and strife….”

Of course, in politics we don’t preach the gospel, but as covenant keepers, we can always consider how our focus on political issues might hinder the teaching of the gospel. Also, there is a lot of good being done in the civic space as well, good that is consistent with gospel principles. I believe we can strengthen the good in our civic engagement when we find ways to empower the good.

Again, Elder Lee: “It has been well said that one does not teach honesty by telling a man how to burglarize a safe, nor do we teach chastity by telling a youth all about sexual activities.”

3. Value and recognize the voice of the people.

“[T]here is always the imperative necessity of deciding whether or not demands on a controversial issue are being made by a well-organized loud minority or by a greater majority of those who might be less vocal but whose cause is just and in accordance with righteous principles.” (See also (Mosiah 29:26.)

4. “[I]n our civic responsibilities [we should] choose those to govern us as ‘civil officers and magistrates [who will] enforce the laws … and … administer the law in equity and justice’ (D&C 134:3)…. we must seek for statesmenlike men [and women] who will ask, “Is it right and is it good for the country or the community?” instead of those who may merely ask, ‘Is it politically expedient?'”

5. “And now, finally, the supreme of all certainties is God’s eternal plan as given in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here we have given us the never-failing principles that will keep our feet firmly planted on the path of safety. By these eternal principles we can readily detect truth from error.”

I wish I could find a quote by Neal A. Maxwell who talked about how sometimes people will analyze the gospel and the Church based on secular principles, rather than using the gospel to analyze the world around us. We are blessed to have this anchor if we will use it.

I love how Elder Lee closes his talk.

God is in his heaven and all can be right with the world, if we seek for him and find him, “though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; … For we are also his offspring.” (Acts 17:27–28.)

I have learned by my own experience that the heavier the responsibilities, the greater is my dependence on the Lord.

This is true for all of us. How we need heavenly help! I’m so grateful to know we can seek it and receive it, no matter what our rank, station, or responsibilities may be.

– – –

Posts in this week’s #ldsconf Odyssey series:

• The Most Decisive Time is Always Now by Nathaniel Givens
• by G
• Counsel about Civic Engagement by Michelle Linford
• A Testimony of Jesus by SilverRain
• Spiritual Manifestations by Jan Tolman

The post Counsel about civic engagement (#ldsconf Odyssey) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

One of the things I appreciate about being a part of this effort is to read the words of my fellow brothers and sisters. Their perspectives and experience enrich my experience engaging the words of the prophets. Of course, we don’t want our posts to replace the words of the prophets, but we hope perhaps this project will inspire you in some way, as it has us.

The other posts from this week’s reading, which focused on the Sunday Afternoon Session of the October 1971 General Conference, are at the bottom of the post.

– – – –

Then-Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, shared this in the Sunday Afternoon October 1971 General Conference:

I recall sitting in this Tabernacle when I was fourteen or fifteen—up in the balcony right behind the clock—and hearing President Heber J. Grant tell of his experience in reading the Book of Mormon when he was a boy. He spoke of Nephi and of the great influence he had upon his life. And then, with a voice ringing with a conviction that I shall never forget, he quoted those great words of Nephi: “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Ne. 3:7.)

There came into my young heart on that occasion a resolution to try to do what the Lord has commanded. I would that I might have the power, through the Spirit of the Lord, similarly to touch someone in this congregation today.

What marvelous things happen when men walk with faith in obedience to that which is required of them!

The principle of obedience is one that I have pondered for quite some time. When we talk of obedience to commandments, we typically are referring to obedience to God’s commandments given through prophets. The more of life I see, the more grateful I am for the clarity about God’s commandments that we have in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So many problems can just be avoided by obeying God’s commandments — both those revealed anciently in the Old and New Testament (the Ten Commandments, the Two Great Commandments, etc.) and also those revealed in this dispensation, such as the Word of Wisdom.

As the granddaughter of an alcoholic (who, for the record, found recovery in her life), I have wondered more than once if I could be one of the “weakest of all saints” that the Word of Wisdom was given for. God wants to protect us from things we may not even know about ourselves, such as being prone to substance addiction because of genetics.

Another commandment I have been feeling grateful for as a parent is the law of chastity. I see so many good parents who, through no fault of their own, had no experience with living the law of chastity in their youth and young adult years. With no experience, and no religious reason to teach sexual purity to their children, patterns of promiscuity of varying degrees are passed along to the next generation (and likely multiplied and intensified in a digital world). Healthy living includes boundaries, and it is simply a reality that individuals with few sexual boundaries in an ever-increasingly-boundary-less society are at risk for emotional, physical, mental, and social harm.

I will never forget the story of a teen who was stunned to learn, from her Mormon friend, that she could say no to sexual advances/demands from boys. She’d never even been taught the option. I love seeing the confidence, courage, and clarity my children have because they know that being chaste is not only a spiritually sound choice, but is also just smart for good emotional, physical, mental, and social health. (If you wonder what I mean by social health, consider this story about how rampant sexting can be. Imagine the social harms that can come when youth share this kind of private information with others, either in “fun” or for more manipulative purposes. This kind of online history could even affect a youth’s educational or future professional goals.)

Anyway, suffice it to say I am a champion of the commandments that God has given to us, to all of His children through prophets. Obviously, it’s a topic that matters mightily to God: the word “commandments” appears over 1500 times in scripture.

There’s an and in there for me, too — a layer to obedience and commandments that is the focus of my post today.

It’s probably been two years or so since I did an earnest study about Nephi and his obedience. I was noticing (just as has been the case with the 1971 General Conference addresses) that commandments were mentioned a lot in his writings. Just doing a simple search today on the word, I see some form of it appearing in

1 Nephi 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22

and

2 Nephi 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 15, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33

(Incidentally, as I scroll further through the search results, the word appears in the overwhelming majority of chapters of the Book of Mormon (an interesting study for another day). For my purposes today, I’ll be focusing primarily on the patterns in 1 and 2 Nephi.

It is clear from Nephi’s writing that he and his father were obedient to the commandments given through prophets. For example, we know that they lived the law of Moses — not only because Nephi says as much in 2 Nephi 5:10 and 2 Nephi 25:24-28, but also because we have accounts of Lehi and Sariah offering sacrifices on an “altar of stones” (see 1 Nephi 2:7, cf. Deut. 27:4-5). We also know that Nephi was obedient to the commandment of “thou shalt not kill”…

…Until he actually received a commandment to take the life of Laban. Being the obedient person he was, Nephi resisted. The Spirit told him again that this was what he was supposed to do. And then teachings from the Lord were brought to Nephi’s remembrance (see John 14:26).

14 And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that: Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise.

15 Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law.

16 And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass. 17 And again, I knew that the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands for this cause—that I might obtain the records according to his commandments.

Interestingly, it was the need for his people to keep the commandments that required Nephi to get the brass plates from Laban. Without the commandments as recorded in the scriptures, his people would not be able to fill the measure of their creation in the promised land. In fact, it was the lack of obedience and faith in God’s guidance that finally left Nephi’s brothers fighting against their family and God, with disastrous ramifications that lasted for generations. Again, commandments matter!

The intent of this post is not to focus on the tensions between commandments in this story, as real as they are, except to say that Nephi’s experience could wrongly be wrested to justify disobedience to God’s commandments given through prophets. Nephi wrestled with God mightily about this. He did not want to be the exception. It took a lot of pondering and trust to move forward with this seemingly impossible deed, and it truly was the exception guided by God to fulfill His purposes. Disobedience to fulfill selfish purposes is not of God, plain and simple.

What I do want to focus on is that this kind of trusting obedience defines Nephi and his “go and do” approach to his relationship with God. He obeyed the laws of God given through prophets, and he and his father obediently and faithfully followed the personalized commandments given specifically to them.

In fact, I would submit that much of the time Nephi refers to commandments he and his father followed, he is talking about those personalized commandments. For me, this reality deepens my perspective about what it means to be “willing and obedient,” what it means to “go and do.” It’s a powerful thing to trust in and follow the words of prophets. It’s also extremely powerful to be in tune enough with the Lord to be able to receive personalized commandments and then to have the courage to “go and do.” In fact, I believe that when we are obedient to the words of prophets, we prepare ourselves to also receive personal commandments and guidance that can help us “go and do” what the Lord desires for our lives.

And both kinds of obedience allow us to be instruments in God’s hands to move His work forward and to serve others according to God’s eternal view of what is needed for His children.

I want to reflect on some of the lessons I think we can learn from the examples of “go[ing] and do[ing]” — of being obedient to both general and personal commandments. This list or the reflections I share are anything but exclusive and focus primarily on chapters where the actual word commandments appears. I would love to hear others’ thoughts.

1 Nephi 2:1 — The Lord blesses Lehi for following His commandments to preach to the people of Jerusalem. [God knows our hearts and sees our efforts to obey, and blesses us for that obedience.]

1 Nephi 2:2-3 — the Lord commands Lehi to take his family into the wilderness because the people of Jerusalem want to kill him for giving them the message he was commanded to give. Lehi obeys. [Obedience can sometimes bring trials and difficulty to our lives — even a wilderness experience! — but God will deliver and guide us through those difficulties.]

1 Nephi 3:2-5 — Lehi is commanded to send his sons back to get the plates. [Sometimes God’s commandments won’t seem to send us in the most efficient direction. It would have been more efficient, at least to a mortal brain, to get the plates while they were in Jerusalem. God’s ways are not our ways, and obedience is about us building our relationship with Him and learning about ourselves, not about achieving visible outcomes in the least amount of time.]

1 Nephi 3:7 — Lehi could tell that Nephi had been blessed to be obedient to these personalized commandments without murmuring. [How was he so blessed? The end of 1 Nephi 2 gives us the answer — he sought to know God and to understand Him through prayer, and God softened his heart so he could submit and not rebel. Nephi was who he was because God changed his heart, in response to Nephi’s earnest and humble seeking. Nephi obeyed commandments to seek God, and he gained strength to obey the personal commandments given his family.]

1 Nephi 3-4 — After some trial and error, Nephi is guided as to how to obtain the plates. [Interesting, again, how the how of fulfilling the commandment was both veiled from Nephi until the very moment God revealed it to him, and interesting how much faith it took to be obedient in that seeming impossible situation. He had to have the Spirit with him to discern the voice of God, both in the moment and also in being able to remember all that God had taught him to that point to help him discern.]

1 Nephi 5 — It takes Sariah a little longer to gain her testimony that God had really commanded Lehi as he had and that He truly did and would provide the way. Lehi and Sariah offer sacrifices. [I appreciate that Sariah is honest with her husband and in response he is compassionate and yet boldly unapologetic about the commandments he has received and followed. Even family members of prophets may struggle sometimes to have faith in their teachings. They (Lehi and Sariah) offer sacrifices. (That to me is a striking verse. Again, a topic for another day.)]

1 Nephi 5 — Nephi declares that he and his father had obeyed all the commandments they had been given, including obtaining the records that would “preserve the commandments of the Lord unto [their] children.”

1 Nephi 6, 9, 19 (see also 2 Nephi 5:31-33)– Nephi commands his seed to honor the spiritual purpose of the plates that he had made in obedience to the specific commandment he had received to make them. [These chapters are some of my favorites because they talk about the “wise purpose” that Nephi does not understand, but trusts. He had already made plates, according to the commandment he was given (1 Nephi 19:1) but then he was commanded to make another smaller set of plates, and was given commandments about what should be on the small plates. This “wise purpose” commandment ended up being a blessing for all of the world, and was also a stunningly personal tender mercy for Joseph Smith and Martin Harris, who in their disobedience lost 116 pages of the manuscript of the Book of Mormon. There is so much to be pondered here about the nature of God and how obedience can have consequences for centuries and millennia and beyond. We aren’t just obedient for ourselves, even when commandments are given to us personally. I also love how in 1 Nephi 19:4, Nephi gives the commandments about what to do with the plates after his death, and he leaves room for the reality that God may give additional commandments along the way — he encourages obedience to commandments before they even are given. Obedience was his watchword!]

1 Nephi 7 — Lehi receives the commandment for his sons to return, again, to Jerusalem, to bring Ishmael and his family with them in the wilderness so they could marry and have children. [They received the personalized commandment to go back to Jerusalem so that they could keep the general commandments to marry and to have children. God can open up ways for us to fulfill these eternally-important commandments of marriage and child-bearing and -rearing according to His will and plan for our individual lives.]

1 Nephi 8 — Lehi’s dream drives him to urge his children to keep the commandments. The dream represents the blessings of obedience and faith and the consequences of not holding fast to the word of God (commandments, doctrines, gospel, Atonement).

1 Nephi 10 — Even though the word commandments does not appear in this chapter, Nephi is “given authority” (commanded?) to speak and testify of the Savior and of the scattering and gathering of Israel, doctrines also taught by His father. [Once again in this chapter, we also see Nephi heeding the invitation to seek, and preparing to receive revelation about the vision of the tree of life.]

1 Nephi 11-14 — Again, the specific word commandments is not used, but the concepts of covenants, repentance, captivity vs. “peace and life eternal,” coming to Christ, and eschewing the world are woven throughout Nephi’s glorious vision of the tree of life. The fruits of Nephi’s obedience are here in this vision, in the very fact that he was able to receive it.

1 Nephi 15 — Nephi’s brothers are frustrated because they don’t understand what Nephi has seen and taught. Nephi reiterates the words of the Lord that were fulfilled for him in receiving this vision: “If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.” [The promise is true for us as well. We can receive knowledge, inspiration, and understanding if we will ask in faith and be obedient to God’s commandments.]

1 Nephi 15:24-25 — Nephi teaches his brothers about hearkening and holding fast to the word of God and how protection from destruction comes from faith, diligence, and obedience to commandments.

1 Nephi 16:8 — Once again, Nephi declares that he and his father had fulfilled all of the commandments that they had received. Nephi declares that he “had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly.”

1 Nephi 16:9 — Lehi is commanded to embark on the journey into the wilderness. [I love how in the next verse, a way is provided to guide them through that journey: the Liahona. As they followed the directions — as they were obedient to the guidance given — they were “led…in the more fertile parts of the wilderness (v. 16). Verse 28 also teaches that the directions came via the Liahona “according to the faith and diligence and heed [obedience!] which [they] did give unto” the directions given.]

1 Nephi 16:23 — I see this verse as potential evidence of Nephi’s obedience to the commandment to honor his father and honor priesthood authority. [Even though his father had murmured in his hunger, Nephi did not violate those commandments in order to get direction about where to go to get food.] The Liahona guided Nephi to the top of the mountain [not insignificant] to find food for their families.

1 Nephi 16:39 (cf 1 Nephi 18:15, 20): Even though Laman and Lemuel murmured and were rebellious a good majority of the time in this whole process, we do see times when after much chastening they did change their ways, albeit temporarily. It is not insignificant to me that even their temporary obedience, even though it came only as a response to much chastening, brought blessings to the family. In chapter 16, it allowed the families to keep finding food. In chapter 18, it calmed the storm that was threatening their lives and enabled the Liahona to work again.

1 Nephi 17 — Nephi is commanded to build a ship. His “go and do” character is so evident in this chapter. (The word commandment shows up in some form or another 15 times in this chapter!)

1 Nephi 20 — Nephi quotes Isaiah who testifies of Christ and of the blessings of peace and righteousness that flow from obedience to God’s commandments.

1 Nephi 22 — Nephi teaches his brothers that the scriptures testify “that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God” (v. 30) and that such obedience, plus endurance to the end, brings salvation. As is the case with many other chapters, Nephi also testifies of Christ and of the need for repentance (a commandment!)

2 Nephi 1, 2, 3 — Lehi’s teaching about God’s mercies, deliverance, and the promised land are beautiful and urgent. He is reaching the end of his life. There is little else he wants his children to understand: The promises of freedom and blessings in the land of promise according to obedience to commandments  — promises repeated throughout the Book of Mormon — are real, and extend to families and generations, even nations. Likewise, the dangers and natural consequences (both temporal and spiritual) of not being obedient to God’s commandments are also real. Lehi also poignantly expresses his gratitude for Nephi’s obedience (v. 24), which enabled their family to be led and saved in the wilderness. Lehi also validates that Nephi has the authority to command them to obey (vs. 27).

2 Nephi 2 is one of the most powerful sermons on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Lehi teaches how the law and commandments are inextricably tied to the doctrine of the Atonement. Indeed, the entire plan of salvation — even the reality of God, the existence of agency, and the essential role of the Savior — all hinge on the reality of laws and commandments. (See also 2 Nephi 9)

2 Nephi 3 — Besides the personal counsel Lehi gives to Joseph, his son, he also prophecies about Joseph Smith and the commandments that Lehi saw he would be given relative to bringing forth the plain and precious knowledge of the covenants of God, truths that can deliver and gather Israel. [We are so blessed to have the Book of Mormon and to know of the Restoration of these truths!]

2 Nephi 4 — I find it interesting that Lehi blesses the children of Laman and Lemuel in spite of the lack of faith and teaching that they were receiving. [Even as the Book of Mormon clearly teaches about the generational effects of disobedience, I think this chapter also reveals that God’s mercy is always available, and that accountability for disobedience rests with those who are disobedient. The ripple effects of such disobedience are part of accountability for such disobedience. It’s both sobering and freeing to consider this teaching and blessing that Lehi offers. His words echo Doctrine and Covenants 68:24.)

2 Nephi 5 is a sobering chapter, and is the chapter I will end on. Like his father before him, Nephi’s life is in danger and he is commanded to lead his people into the wilderness. Those who went with him were those who “believed in the warnings and the revelations of God” and who did “hearken unto [Nephi the prophet’s] words.” These were people who “did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses.” As a result, they “lived after the manner of happiness.” [I think it’s interesting to note that even though the commandment was personal, specific to his situation, there are also patterns in what he was commanded to do. Perhaps we will all have opportunities to follow God’s guidance into a wilderness, a way He will deliver us from dangers and help us find happiness.]

From his writings in 2 Nephi 25, we know that all of the obedience that his people practiced was not just about doing things, like a checklist. The heart of their obedience was about worshiping the Savior and teaching their children about Him. This reflects what Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s entire talk from this session of the 1971 General Conference was about.

[T]he Lord said: “I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.

“For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.” (D&C 93:7–20.)

In other words, true and perfect worship consists in following in the steps of the Son of God; it consists in keeping the commandments and obeying the will of the Father to that degree that we advance from grace to grace until we are glorified in Christ as he is in his Father. It is far more than prayer and sermon and song. It is living and doing and obeying. It is emulating the life of the great Exemplar.

Elder McConkie then lists numerous ways we worship the Lord through obedience, then summarizing his point by this simple statement:

“[Worship of the Lord] is ten thousand times ten thousand things. It is keeping the commandments of God. It is living the whole law of the whole gospel.

“To worship the Lord is to be like Christ until we receive from him the blessed assurance: “Ye shall be even as I am.””

In my life through the years, it has been all too easy to think about obedience more as going through the motions of doing — saying prayers and reading scriptures and attending church and fulfilling callings, because that is what Mormons do. Those things alone don’t bring happiness or conversion, however. It’s the worship of and reliance on and trust in the Lord that does! When we bring a spirit of true worship, as Nephi did, to our “go and do” obedience, then our natures, even our very existence, can be changed. We can, as Nephi said, be “alive in Christ.”

This is the purpose of obedience. It is to become, not just to do.

I close with one more quote from Elder Dallin H. Oaks, this one from October 2000:

“[T]he Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. 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.”

I am grateful for Nephi’s example of doing to become more like and to to worship the Savior.

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Other posts from this session of the General Conference Odyssey:

* On the Inevitability of Worship by Nathaniel Givens
http://difficultrun.nathanielgivens.com/…/on-the-inevitabi…/

The post Go, Do, Become appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

One of the things I appreciate about being a part of this effort is to read the words of my fellow brothers and sisters. Their perspectives and experience enrich my experience engaging the words of the prophets. Of course, we don’t want our posts to replace the words of the prophets, but we hope perhaps this project will inspire you in some way, as it is inspiring us, to engage their words with more deliberateness and faith.

The other posts from this week’s reading, which focused on the Sunday Morning Session of the October 1971 General Conference, are at the bottom of the post.

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This week, there was one paragraph that stood out to me like neon. Just a short paragraph that was actually a quote from someone I have never heard of. I also loved a poem that was quoted. Both were found in this talk.

And this week, I just want to let these words speak for themselves.

The quote:

Elbert Hubbard said, “You can’t teach anybody anything. You can only help him find himself.”

The poem:

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Posts from others this week in the General Conference Odyssey:

http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2016/02/lost-people.html

The post “The True Gift” (#ldsconf Odyssey) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.