Christ is Charity, Charity is Christ

Moroni in the final book of the Book of Mormon gives us golden chapters of eternal and important doctrines. Moroni is one of my favorite books to read because in a few short chapters I feel we learn a lot about the nature of Christ and the people we are to become.

Moroni chapter 7 verse 45 reads,
"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

My teacher in class had us change the word charity with Christ. In verse 47 we read "but charity is the pure love of Christ."  Now listen to this scripture in possibly a new light...

  And Christ suffereth long, and is kind and envieth not, He is not puffed up, seeketh not His own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, Christ beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity isn't a thing out in the distance. Charity is Christ, His pure and perfect love.

This is my final blog for the semester and I have realized how many of my blogs are focused on the Savior. I realized it is because He is found within the pages of the Book of Mormon. If you want to feel the love of your Savior, read it. If you want to know He is there, read it. If you want to know what He has done and continues to do for you, I would encourage you to read this sacred book. 

I testify of a Savior who "suffereth long, and is kind." Our Savior Jesus Christ envieth not, is not puffed up, and is the most humble Man to ever walk the earth.  I testify of a Savior who had moments where He could have easily been provoked, yet He forgave and showed mercy instead.  I testify of a Savior who thinketh no evil, who sought in all ways to provide a perfect example of righteousness for us. I testify of a Savior who beared all things, who believed all things, who hoped all things, and who endured everything. "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His Divine Son."
 


It is my hope that I can grow up to be more like Christ. I love this verse because it describes His attributes perfectly, the attributes I am trying to know more perfectly.  

He is Risen

Mormon, a Prophet of the Lord, while teaching a group of people called the Lamanites invites them to believe in Christ.

One of the most powerful messages of the gospel is that Christ died for us, was resurrected for us, and lives again for us. 

In verse five of Mormon chapter 7 we read, "know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up."

Christ is our Savior. He has saved, and continues to save us. I know that He has power over death, that He broke the bands of death and completed His mission until the very end. I know that our Savior lives. I know that He accomplished everything He said He did. He was who He said He was. He is the greatest conqueror. He can mend broken hearts and swallow up the sting of death. His pure love is abiding. I love this Easter season. It is my hope that we can remember Him more each day, and discover how real and alive He is in our lives. Because He endured all, He understands all. Turn to Him, trust Him, He will heal you.

"He is Risen." -Matthew 28:6

“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!" -Joseph Smith 

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2000/04/the-living-christ-the-testimony-of-the-apostles-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng

Our Savior, Jesus Christ lives today. I know it, because I feel Him daily. Easter brings such a joyous season as we celebrate this doctrine.
 
 Find out more and watch an incredible couple minute Easter video here! 

https://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_SU_9-4-2017_dMIS_fMORG_xLIDyL1-A_

One By One

Every time I near the end of the Book of Mormon I eagerly anticipate reaching third Nephi when Christ appears to the people in the American Continent. It's like reading the best happy ending to an incredible story and I can't help but feel joy when I read in. This group of people had waited many years for the promised Messiah to come, and it is an emotional chapter to read when He finally does come and minister to this faithful group.

  As I was reading in 3 Nephi chapter eleven verse fifteen I was reminded of how Christ  ministers to "the one."

"And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by prophets, that should come."

My religion professor pointed out through this verse that the Atonement is infinite (hence the word multitude) yet it is also intimate (the words one by one). Although Christ's sacrifice was for the entire world, it very personally connects the one. It connects to you and it connects to me. It is infinite, but it is also so intimate. Although there are billions of people to have walked the earth I know that the Savior very personally suffered for me. He knows me by name, He understands my struggles and hardships, He picks me up when I fall, and His love is always constant. He is my greatest source of joy. Every joy I have ever felt is because of Him.


I know that Savior did come to the American continent. He is no respecter or persons. He loves everyone regardless of ethnicity, geography, status, etc. I can't imagine how this group of people felt  as the glorified Savior stood before them, and I've often thought of how I will respond when I get to stand before the Savior.




Will I smile and hold His hands tightly...

 Will I embrace Him and let my heart do the talking...

Will I weep with Him as He holds me and I thank Him for all He has done for me...

I love my Savior.

I can only imagine what that beautiful day will be like. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ is the only person who has the capacity to love me perfectly and to save me. I know that even though at times you may feel like a number in this crowded and busy world, He knows you by name. He loves you. I know it, and I know He loves me because I feel that tender love daily. If you are struggling to find that love, pray to recognize it, because I know it is there. I know He ministers to each of us one by one and I am forever grateful for that simple truth.


There are not enough words I can adequately say to describe my feelings on this principle but I invite you to watch this short video that shows a depiction of this account. It has become one of my most favorite videos.  And always remember there is someone a lot greater who loves you deeply, perfectly, and infinitely. I'm grateful I was reminded of that this last week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glQYsxJhv_E

To read the full account of this it is found in 3 Nephi chapters 11, 17. Or click the link below

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng

Why I do not fully agree with the statement "God will not give us more than we can handle."

There's a statement we hear quite often when we go through hard times that goes something like this, "don't worry, God will not give you more than you can handle." This phrase has stirred in my mind. I don't fully agree with this statement because I believe oftentimes God does give us more than we can handle. It is a humbling process that stretches me and helps me realize how much I need my Father in Heaven and my Savior. On my mission I got a great grasp of this principle. I've always been pretty independent, but I was humbled as to how much I needed my Savior as a missionary. I could not do that work, or any work for that matter, without him.

"As to my strength I am weak, therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in HIS strength I CAN DO ALL THINGS." Alma 26:12

I have come to know that our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ do not make up the difference, They are the difference and we cannot make it on our own. I have found in my life that I am given more than I can handle so I can lean on my Savior's strength, so that I can feel Him walk by me, and lift me up.

Kayla Lemmon in a blog a few years back said, "I wanted to know where that phrase was that people kept repeating to me in church and at work and over the phone. (God will not give you more than you can handle). Why did the Lord “trust me so much”?! Why did He think I could handle these kinds of trials?

And then I realized: I couldn’t find that quote because it isn’t there.

It never mentions anywhere in the scriptures that the Lord won’t give you more than you can handle. Yes, in 1 Corinthians 10:13 it speaks of Him giving us an escape from temptations so that it’s not too much to bear. But when it comes to pain, trials, heartache, and burdens– not once does it say it won’t be more than we can bear. Instead, it beautifully says this instead:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me…for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11: 28-30)


 

My intentions in writing this blog are not to cause controversy but to show Christ's active role in our lives in carrying those burdens. One of my favorite phrases in the scriptures is "and the Lord was with us." I testify that He is with us and that He is willing to carry us. He already has carried us.

I learned about this through the scriptures this week as I studied a faithful and humble servant of the Lord. Nephi's life never seemed like a walk in the park. Every time he finished a task another hardship laid at his feet. The Lord commanded him to walk hundreds of miles to get a record from the wicked King Laban. His brother's were like the stepsisters in Cinderella and at one point even tried to kill their own brother. He broke his bow while trying to provide for his family. And when I'm sure he was exhausted beyond measure, the Lord commanded Nephi to build a ship something he had clearly never done before. At this point my heart hurts for Nephi. Can't the poor guy ever catch a break? And this is all we have record of. There could have been lots more. As I was explaining this to my boyfriend he reminded me that I was forgetting the end of these stories. Nephi was given more than he could handle on his own...but with the Lord incredible miracles occurred.

When Nephi went to get the plates, the Lord delievered Laban into his hands. Nephi said "I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he share prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commanders them."(I Nephi 3:7) And prepare a way he did.

When Nephi's bow was broken and his brothers wanted to kill him the Lord once again Edithelped carry his burdens and provided a way. "And it came to pass that the Lord was with us. Yeah even the voice of the Lord came and did chasten them exceedingly and after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger and did repent insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food that we did not perish." (1 Nephi 16:39) Another reference of the Lord's miraculous power is found in 1 Nephi 17:53-55.

When Nephi was commanded to build a boat, he had to do the brunt of the work but the Lord was with him. "And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship." (1 Nephi 17:1). I love the relationship Nephi has with the Lord. All these verses show how they work together in order for miracles to happen.

Without my Savior I am nothing, but with Him I am everything. I am grateful for His humility, love, and willingness to carry those burdens, to place our struggles, our challenges, and our  infirmities, on His back and walk with us. He saves me daily. I am so grateful for Him and cannot imagine my life without such a loving, merciful, and humble Savior.

A River, A Rod, And An All Loving God

Many are familiar with Lehi's vision of the tree of life, but I learned something recently I hadn't noticed before. In the beginning of the Book of Mormon, a prophet named Lehi has a vision. Through this vision he learns about the love of God. Different objects throughout are used in a symbolic way to teach Lehi and his family, and also to teach each and everyone of us today. For example there is a dark and dreary wasteland, a great and spacious building, a river, a straight and narrow pathway, a tree which bears the most desirable fruit, etc. Many of you are probably reading this and saying "yeah yeah yeah, I've heard that a thousand times,"  but stay with me for a bit!

In verses 19 and 20 of chapter 8 we read,

"And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.

 And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world."

We later come to find out that the rod of iron is symbolic of the word of God. The rod of iron leads directly to the tree of life. The tree bears fruit which is symbolic of God's love. Are you staying with me?

Here's a little key:

great and spacious building-the world

mists of darkness-temptation

iron rod-word of God

fruit of the tree- love of God

  In verse 19 we learn that there is a river. Through the temptations and misfortune of life we all may find ourselves at one point or another "in the river" so to speak. We fall off the path and lose our way. We may feel helpless, or hopeless, yet in God's almighty love He places the iron rod right by the river. Verse 19 says the iron rod extends along the bank of the river. When we fall, when we feel swallowed up in the depths of life, God will always be there. His doctrines and teachings will always remain. At any time we can grasp onto the rod and pull ourselves back up onto His path. He is forgiving, He is loving, He is omniscient, and there are no flaws in His perfectly devised plan, because of the gift of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. 

Elder Holland said, "however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or distance from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."

You are never out of reach from Him who loves you fully and perfectly. Wherever you may be on or off the path, look to Him, and trust Him. Find the iron rod and hold on. Remember if you fall, the rod is within reach. He will lead you safely home, and help you to reach the tree and partake of the fruit which is "most desirous."

He Lives

As I was reading the scriptures this week I was reminded of the importance of testifying of Christ. In the very end of the Book of Mormon Moroni gives some powerful council on prayer, faith, and Christ's hand in our lives. 

I noticed an inspiring parallel between verses 26 and 31 in chapter 7 of Moroni as shown below.

 

 

The very essence of the Bible and the Book of Mormon is to testify of Christ. We come to better know Him as we read about Him and feel of His love and influence in our lives.

In a unique way through these verses I learned more about the Savior and the importance of sharing our testimony of Him. "As surely as Christ lives...bear testimony of Him."

For this weeks blog I just wanted to share my simple testimony, yet something I cherish above everything, of the Savior Jesus Christ.

I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ lives. I know that He left what was comfortable, and what was easy, to provide a way for us to find happiness in this life and in the world to come. The sweetest joys I have felt are because of Him. I know that nothing in His life was easy, yet He walked the long, painful roads because of His unfailing love for us. When we think no one understands, He does. I know His faith is perfect, and that perfect faith carried Him through the Atonement. I know that His love is real. It is something that I cannot fully comprehend or explain, yet it is ever present in my life. At times when I feel undeserving, or unworthy, He reminds me that He completed the Atonement for me...and He completed it for you. I know that He knows us like the back of His hand because he has "engraven us upon the palms of His hands." (Isaiah 49:16) I have felt Him lift me up. At times when I have felt alone I have felt His arms wrapped around me. I cannot deny His influence in my life. It is too great, too powerful, too incredible, and too perfect. "Oh it is wonderful that He should care for me enough to die for me. Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D-tGqIWMU8). Our Savior lives. That simple truth brings me all the joy in the world. How grateful I am for that.  

...

I would encourage you to share your testimony of Him this week. Maybe there is someone out there who needs it.

Also here's one of my favorite Mormon Messages! Please watch if you have a few minutes it is incredible!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3TI4bYerU

Standing As A Witness

Alma, a converted servant, and prophet of the Lord in Mosiah chapter 18 is preaching to those who will hear his inspired message. On specifically teaching the covenant of baptism he explains that when we are baptized we agree to, 

8. "bear one another's burdens that they may be light.

He goes on to say in the following verse,

9. Yea and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places that ye may be in even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God that ye may be numbered with those of the first resurrection that may have eternal life."

These scriptures contain a powerful covenant (a promise between us and God). In my Religion class this week we talked about what it means to be a witness. A witness tells others what they know. My teacher expressed that God has always been on trial. There are those that reject Him. People all over the world accuse Him of His existence. It is our duty as Christians to defend our Father and His beloved Son Jesus Christ. I read these verses in new light as my teacher had us imagine the Father pleading unto us and asking us to stand as His witness. I had a greater desire to defend my Father who has given me everything. Every joy I have felt in this life is because of Him, and every trial I experience is a manifestation of His love and trust in me. I want to do more to stand as His witness not when it is convenient, not when I experience a great miracle, but always. I have a long way to go to achieve this but there is hope in the journey.

There will be times in our lives where we feel we are failing at keeping our end of this covenant. To be a witness at All times and in All places requires great effort. Yet Elder Holland lovingly stated, "we get credit for trying, even if we don't always succeed."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland also said,  "may we stand by Jesus Christ at all times and in all things that we may be in even until death, for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone." 

 (link to the talk)  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/none-were-with-him?lang=eng 

 I am so grateful for a Savior who stands with us at all times, who is our Witness, our Brother, our Redeemer, and our Friend. He will plead our case and defend those who earnestly follow Him. I love my Savior. I am grateful for the opportunity to witness of Him. 

Loving as Christ Loves

I remember a time at the beginning of my mission when I was struggling with a few various things. This is somewhat normal when you are new to the mission field and really have no idea what you are doing.  Specifically I remember struggling to feel immediate love for those I interacted with. I thought about missionary stories I had previously heard where loving those they had just met seemed to come naturally, yet I didn't feel that way. How could I love someone I had just met? Was I a bad missionary because I didn't feel this way?

I wrote home to my mother expressing those concerns explaining that I was having a hard time finding love for those I interacted with. My mother simply responded, "pray that the Lord will lend you some of His love." Our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ love us deeply and perfectly. When you are finding it hard to love someone else, or feel love doesn't come naturally, lean on their love, after all isn't that how we are taught to love in the scriptures.

Christ taught in John that we are to love one another as He has loved us.

In Mormon, during a time of great wickedness and contention Mormon cries repentance to a group of people called the Nephites. I'm sure loving the Nephites at this time was difficult. In fact in verse twelve of chapter three he exclaims, "behold I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me." It wasn't simply Mormon's love alone, it was the love of the Father and The Son that carried him. 

Lastly, Moroni the final prophet to write in the Book of Mormon teaches us more about this principle. He encourages us to, "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that (we) may be filled with this love, which He has bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ."

" This love" Moroni is referring to is charity which is the pure love of Christ. When I earnestly prayed for this love my whole mission was changed. I feel I was privileged to see people through the eyes of Christ and love them with a deep love that was more powerful than a love I had ever experienced and a greater love than a love I could create on my own. I was able to feel charity told toward people I had just met because I was striving to love others as Christ loves them. 

I know that our Savior lives. I know His love is real. I feel it daily, whether it comes through other people, or through His own manifestations it is there. 

Paul in an epistle to the Romans said, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

You are always within reach of Him who loves you perfectly. I would encourage you this week to look for those daily witnesses of His love for you.  

God Is Oh So Good To Us

This week I have reflected often on how wonderful God is to us and how grateful I am for my life right now and the blessings Heavenly Father has "poured out" to me. In my prayers at night my heart is full as I humbly and prayerfully talk to the Father. He is oh so good to us, and often times I don't feel I deserve all He does for us. As I was doing my daily scripture study I was reading in 3 Nephi chapter 24, verse 10 about the principle of tithing.

This verse reads, "bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

I know in this context this verse is talking about tithing, but I know that when we sacrifice anything, when we do all we can to follow Christ, He will ultimately bless us far greater than what we had to give up. I feel in my life, Christ has always blessed me with more than I deserve. In reality the sacrifices we make are no sacrifice at all after all He gives back to us; the biggest blessing being the precious gift of His divine Son. I am grateful to experience little tender mercies daily that remind me of How mindful the Father and the Son are of us. I feel the open windows of Heaven and God reaching out to me through these daily tender mercies and for that I am most grateful.

As I Have Loved You

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner love is in the air. I’ve been thinking a lot about what this four letter word means and I’ve learned a lot about it especially this past week. If you think this is going to be a sappy post about my relationship, keep scrolling. This is going to be more focused on the Savior and His perfect love for us.

I listened to a talk this week be Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the members of the quorum of the twelve apostles.  Emotionally at the beginning of his talk he expressed, 

 “Brothers and sisters, do you have any idea—do you have any notion or inkling whatsoever—of how much we love you?...  Here you are, there you are, hour after hour, in your Sunday best, being your best. You sing and you pray. You listen and you believe. You are the miracle of this Church. And we love you.”

(Here’s the link to the talk)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/tomorrow-the-lord-will-do-wonders-among-you?lang=eng

 

We as human’s sometimes just need to feel those feelings of love and comfort. I remember when Elder Holland started his talk this way tears came into my eyes. For some reason during that moment those were the exact words my soul needed to hear. I knew and felt the love the Prophet and His apostles have for us. There is a love that is constant, a love we never need to worry will disappear. It is the love of our Father in Heaven and His Only Begotten, Jesus Christ.

 As I studied the Atonement of Jesus Christ specifically this week I learned about the love the Father has for us.

 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying; Eli Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say my God my God why hast thou forsaken me?”  

 Why did Christ endure, when all odds were against Him?

Why did He drink of the bitter cup and fight until the very end? Because of His undeniable love for us. For Christ so loved us.

This moment, as the Father watched His son suffer in great agony, had to be one of the hardest moments, if not the hardest moment of His life. To hear the Savior of the World call out "Abba"...daddy, as great drops of blood fell from every pore had to have pained the Father’s heart in ways we cannot even begin to imagine. Why did the Father leave the Son, alone, in the hardest moment? How could He watch this occur? Because of His undeniable love for us. Because He knew how vital this ultimate act of love would be to each of us. For God so loved us.

As I read in 3 Nephi and in Matthew, I learned about the love the Savior has for us.

As resurrected Lord He ministers among the people of the Americas. With wet eyes and humble hearts the people stand in the presence of the Savior. The Savior beckons them to come unto Him.

“Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.”

I look forward to the day when we will get to stand before the Savior’s face and feel the very scars in His hands that He has acquired for us.

I know that, “We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Our Savior’s love is real. It is tangible. Elder Hales asked the question “if we love the Savior will we hurt less?” I know that as we draw near unto Jesus Christ, the only Begotten of the Father, the Comforter and Redeemer of the World, we will find His hands were already wrapped so tightly around us. We will indefinitely hurt less when we rely on His love to carry us. I promise you that His love is unfailing. It will always be there. No matter how many steps we may feel we have taken away from Him, His hand is “outstretched still.”

 I testify that arguably in the hardest moment of the Savior’s life when He was left alone suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane the Father was probably closer than ever, but the Savior had to experience what it was like to be alone. Because He endured that, we will NEVER EVER have to.

 “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son.” For God so loved you…for God so loved me. How incredible, how beautiful, how powerful, and abiding the precious love of the Father and Son are to me.