Grace to Walk

Bountiful Temple - family photo

I've been tired lately. I never know if it's MS or Melanoma and really, it doesn't matter. I just have to keep going as long as I can. I'm dreading the day I am too tired or too sick to keep pushing forward. 

One thing I really look forward to is going to the temple and feeling peace. I love doing sealings for my ancestors and hearing the promised blessings for eternal families. I remember what the Savior has provided for us and it comforts me. I prayed as I drove, "Heavenly Father, I am so tired. Please help me to feel strengthened and able to cheerfully serve today." 

I took advantage of the few minutes I had before the session started to go into the exquisitely beautiful Celestial Room for some quiet time. I picked up the Book of Mormon on the table next to me and opened it up randomly, something I often do to see if Heavenly Father has any special message for me. My eyes fell upon this verse:

"I know, in the strength of the Lord thou canst do all things." (Alma 20:4)

I had no doubt that scripture was specifically for me to read that day, another witness that He is aware of all of us and our needs. I have a testimony that he is ever mindful of us in our times of need, trials and challenges. A quote from one of my favorite songs by Building 429, "You Carried Me"

"I stand only because You've given me grace to walk"

Click here to listen to You Carried Me

I've been so busy, I missed the reasons 
I missed Your love, and I nearly missed it all 
Still You've loved me, and You've healed me 
You've given all and it brought me to Your cross

I stand only because You've given me grace to walk, 
Only because 

You carried me, You carried me 
You carried me through it all 
And I believe, Yes I believe 
You'll carry me all the way home 
Cause mercy covers all 

I know the scripture, I've known the songs 
I sang the words from my hollowed heart 
But You've spoken softly through the storm 
I've heard Your voice and I've felt the calm 

I stand only because You've given me faith to walk,
Only because 

I know that you love me 
I'll never doubt it, I can't live without it 
Your mercy has found me 
I am astounded, I can't live without it

Hinderment is Hazardous

While we are on the earth, our bodies form a protective shield for our imperfect thoughts as we grow and mature, but it also prevents us from knowing why and how a person came to feel and believe the way they do. The spirit is the only way we can understand the "feelings and context" of others. 

There are many ways to say the same thing, just as there are many ways to infer what a person is implying. We can use "compassionate language" and "compassionate thought" by cultivating the influence of the Holy Ghost in our dealings with our fellow travelers within and without the church. 

"I bear humble witness that we can "minister grace" through compassionate language when the cultivated gift of the Holy Ghost pierces our hearts with empathy for the feelings and context of others. It enables us to transform hazardous situations into holy places. I testify of a loving Savior who "looketh on [our] heart" and cares what we are thinking."
   --Elder Craig L Zwick 





Free Agency allows us to have our own opinions but it does NOT let us choose the consequences of voicing those opinions. Regarding those who would cause agitation and dissension in those earnestly seeking the peace found within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, choose carefully, those words which form the thoughts you share. 

Becoming a great "hinderment" is hazardous. 

Charity is the pure love of Christ and just as we are asked to cultivate charity for all, we are required to forgive all. To do anything other than using compassionate language and compassionate thought puts us in the same precarious position Alma the Younger found himself in Mosiah 27:9-10. (Book of Mormon)

 9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the Church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.

If we are truly converted we would NOT want to give the enemy of God ANY power over His children. 



True believers would want to protect His children from anything that would separate us from His Love. The following talk given by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in the October 1984 General Conference can give us a clear view of where we stand by answering his "test questions" and give us a visual to cling to, trusting completely in an omnipotent and omniscient Heavenly Father whose entire purpose of being is to bring about our eternal joy and happiness. 

"If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, it will, in the end, make no difference what you have chosen instead." --William Law

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1984/10/the-caravan-moves-on?lang=eng

Click here to listen to The Caravan Moves On

I am so grateful for my lack of agitation. I am so grateful to feel the peace and confidence found from testimony bearing apostles of God. I am so grateful for their guidance, love, and service in His Kingdom. 

I pray that we can turn "hazardous situations into holy places" as we go about our daily lives and nurture the peace that comes from knowing we can love as we are loved.