Good News!

D&C 62:1
"Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted."

I love it when I come across these reminders in the scriptures. They feel like little messages from heaven to me. No wonder we are invited by our leaders to read the scriptures everyday. If we didn't we would miss out on the inspiring messages to keep trying that come from our heavenly home.

Free Agency and an Internal GPS

"Our choices have the undeniable power of transforming our lives. This gift is an extraordinary sign of trust in us and simultaneously a cherished personal responsibility to use wisely. Our Father in Heaven respects our freedom to choose and will never force us to do what is right, nor will He impede us from making mediocre choices. His invitation, however, concerning this important and vital gift is clearly expressed in the scriptures: 'But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God'."

"We too have a 'GPS' allowing us to know at all times what is right and what is wrong, as well as assisting us in making correct choices.
'We are born with a natural capacity to distinguish between right and wrong because of the Light of Christ that is given to every person (D&C 84:46). This faculty is called conscience. The possession of it makes us responsible beings.'
Additionally, as members of the Church we have been given the gift of the Holy Ghost to comfort, protect and guide us.
However, like other faculties, our consciences may become inert through sin or misuse. If we become desensitized to the things of God in our lives, we too lose reception of the signal needed to guide us. Keeping the commandments is our best assurance to maintain a strong signal with the Divine."

I am so grateful for the commandments and the peace that I have felt when I do my best to keep them. I am grateful that I know that Heavenly Father loves me, He loves all of us.

"Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work"

I read a lot of good things in the Ensign today. First I read an article in the June Ensign by Susana Lyou Mantle. The thing that stood out the most to me is this: "The more I trusted in Him [Jesus Christ], the more my life was guided."

This was so good for me to read. I have really been struggling recently and doubting the direction that I have felt that I have been given. I can't tell if it's really from Heavenly Father or if I am just being guided by my own wants. This helps me to understand that I just need to let it go. I need to accept the Lords will and His time frame and try not to think about all that I feel like I don't have. If I try to forget myself more it will show a greater trust in Heavenly Father and His plan for me.

A scripture has been going around in my mind all weekend, James 1:4.
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

This just means so much to me today. I was so emotional at church yesterday. There were a lot of people visiting because we were hearing from three missionaries who are ready to leave on their missions. There were grand babies and families all around and Heather wasn't there. I want the opportunity to raise up a righteous posterity. I want to see what a child will look like who comes from Bob and I. I think that it is a desire that came with me from heaven. Maybe my Heavenly Mother taught me. Maybe it is a trait that I get from Her. I sorrow greatly over my inability to have this blessing right now. But I think that if I understand this scripture correctly that I haven't been letting patience have her perfect work in my life. I have been too wrapped up in what I want and feel like I don't have. I believe that my days, weeks and years are known to the Lord and nothing will be denied me if I can overcome myself and submit myself more fully to His will.

James 1:2-6, 12
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

I just wanted to include all that I read that touched my heart today. I hope that I can apply these things to my life. I feel like they are rally inportant, that my eternal happiness depends on it.

I also read D&C 58: 2-6
"For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and recieve that which is to follow.
Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you--that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;"

Another message to be faithful in tribulation. A reminder to be obedient, that is why I came to the earth. I need to lay it to heart. I know what is true I need to cultivate my testimony so that I may bless others. I have always felt like my mission was to my family who are struggling with the gospel. I need to practice the things that I learn so that I may be an example.

I have a quote from the Conference Ensign May 2009 by President Uchtdorf:

"Discipleship is a journey. We need the refining lessons of the journey to craft our character and purify our hearts. By patiently walking the path of discipleship, we demonstrate to ourselves the measure of our faith and our willingness to accept God's will rather than ours."

I think that this all ties into the things that I have been feeling. All the things that I feel like I have to endure really are neccessary for the purification of my heart and the building of my faith. I need to accept the will of God in my life and trust Him more fully so that I can sense greater direction in my life.

One last quote from the Conference Ensign May 2009, President Uchtdorf quoted Elder Wirthlin who said:

"Oh it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us--even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will.
"We [might] see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever...
"The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities."

Isn't this the most wonderful thing? Heavenly Father loves me inspite of all my flaws and weaknesses and even if I give up on myself He never will.