This goes along very well with what I wrote yesterday.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy." (D&C 11:13)
I love how this teaches that the Spirit not only enlightens your mind, but fills your soul with joy.
Why do people keep the commandments? Isn't it easier to do things your own way and not worry about rules? One time in high school my English teacher asked the class this question. After just a few minutes the discussion lead to the conclusion that it was easier not to follow rules. Class was just about to be over and there was not time for me to put in my comment, but I sure did not agree! Even as a 17 year old, I knew that there was a satisfaction to doing what was right that made it worth it. This satisfaction is internal, a joy that you feel in your soul, when you know that you've chosen the right. Because the reward to obedience is often internal, it is not outwardly obvious why it is preferable to be obedient. But there is a darkness that comes when you do not obey. This is one affect that the Spirit has.
This is the opposite of what happens when we disobey God's commandments, as we learned in D&C 10.
What are the things that enlighten our minds? (D&C 11:12)
1. Put your trust in that Spirit - listen to and obey him! Believe in him
2. do good - be kind, serve, take care of your family
3. do justly - do your duty, be honest
4. walk humbly - remember gratitude, thank the Lord
5. judge righteously - keep your heart pure and hands clean
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Marriage
Why should marriage be between one man and one woman?
There is the history of Mormons being polygamists, but I'm going to leave that out of this. We are no longer polygamists, and those who are polygamists are not Mormon.
What is the difference if two people who love each other are of the same sex or opposite? Afterall, it is very difficult to help who you love.
The difference is procreation and God's plan for His children. The family is central to the Creator's plan. In the home among the family is where the gospel is best taught, lived, and learned. Having children is suppose to bring you joy - a taste of the joy that you will experience in exaltation, where you will have a far larger family. God created man and woman so that this would be possible. Entering into a relationship of partners with the same sex is denying oneself of one of the major stepping stones in God's plan.
Something that I didn't understand until I met my husband was how male and female compliment each other. Neither is complete without the other. Each has special attributes to contribute to the marriage and to the family. The lack or neglect of either sex would lead to a lack of crucial attributes in the home and family.
There is the history of Mormons being polygamists, but I'm going to leave that out of this. We are no longer polygamists, and those who are polygamists are not Mormon.
What is the difference if two people who love each other are of the same sex or opposite? Afterall, it is very difficult to help who you love.
The difference is procreation and God's plan for His children. The family is central to the Creator's plan. In the home among the family is where the gospel is best taught, lived, and learned. Having children is suppose to bring you joy - a taste of the joy that you will experience in exaltation, where you will have a far larger family. God created man and woman so that this would be possible. Entering into a relationship of partners with the same sex is denying oneself of one of the major stepping stones in God's plan.
Something that I didn't understand until I met my husband was how male and female compliment each other. Neither is complete without the other. Each has special attributes to contribute to the marriage and to the family. The lack or neglect of either sex would lead to a lack of crucial attributes in the home and family.
D&C 10 Mind Darkened
After Joseph Smith gave the manuscript of the Book of Mormon to Martin Harris, against the will of the Lord, the Lord told him, "And you also lost your gift at the same time, and your mind became darkened." (D&C 10:2)
When Joseph Smith did something that he knew was contrary to the will of the Lord. Then a terrible thing happened. This "darkening" is when the Spirit leaves you. This is when you do not feel the peace that comes from living righteously. You do not have the sense of well being or that lightness of heart. What a tragedy. I think that most of the time when this happens to people, it happens slowly.
What are the things that darken our minds? I think one of the worst things is watching sketchy movies. I choose not to watch rated R movies and many PG-13 movies because they darken my mind terribly. Another easy way to darken our minds is lying. It is too easy to do, yet immediately upon pondering the action, the light dims. The worst part about it is that you KNOW better than to lie or watch filthy movies. I think this defiance is what drives the Spirit away.
When Joseph Smith did something that he knew was contrary to the will of the Lord. Then a terrible thing happened. This "darkening" is when the Spirit leaves you. This is when you do not feel the peace that comes from living righteously. You do not have the sense of well being or that lightness of heart. What a tragedy. I think that most of the time when this happens to people, it happens slowly.
What are the things that darken our minds? I think one of the worst things is watching sketchy movies. I choose not to watch rated R movies and many PG-13 movies because they darken my mind terribly. Another easy way to darken our minds is lying. It is too easy to do, yet immediately upon pondering the action, the light dims. The worst part about it is that you KNOW better than to lie or watch filthy movies. I think this defiance is what drives the Spirit away.
Monday, November 3, 2008
A Special Gift
"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." (D&C 8:2)
The Lord says this when he is explaining to Oliver Cowdery what his gifts are. And what a great gift this is!
Sometimes I have really important questions and I know that I can count on the Lord to answer my questions. Sometimes all I need is to feel peaceful about a decision (which is exactly what happens when the Holy Ghost comes upon you and dwells in your heart). Some of the really important questions I've had to ask were: "Should I go on a mission?" "Should I marry this man?" "When should we have a child?" It is very comforting to know that the Lord cares about these important subjects - he answered my prayers. The Holy Ghost comes and dwells in your heart, giving you a feeling that makes you breathe in deep and feel happy. It is a feeling that you are doing what is right, and you are headed in the right direction. It is a feeling that the Lord is happy with you. Funny enough, this feeling only comes when I am actively seeking it! I usually have to be up-to-date on my scripture reading especially, which seems to be the indicator of my spirituality level.
The Lord says this when he is explaining to Oliver Cowdery what his gifts are. And what a great gift this is!
Sometimes I have really important questions and I know that I can count on the Lord to answer my questions. Sometimes all I need is to feel peaceful about a decision (which is exactly what happens when the Holy Ghost comes upon you and dwells in your heart). Some of the really important questions I've had to ask were: "Should I go on a mission?" "Should I marry this man?" "When should we have a child?" It is very comforting to know that the Lord cares about these important subjects - he answered my prayers. The Holy Ghost comes and dwells in your heart, giving you a feeling that makes you breathe in deep and feel happy. It is a feeling that you are doing what is right, and you are headed in the right direction. It is a feeling that the Lord is happy with you. Funny enough, this feeling only comes when I am actively seeking it! I usually have to be up-to-date on my scripture reading especially, which seems to be the indicator of my spirituality level.
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