Two good scriptures to add:
2 Nephi 31: 3 " For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding."
Alma 32:35-36 " O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?
Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good."
This may seem like something said typically in Sunday School, but I have grown, and am growing to learn that to really understand the Gospel is to live it, to take something learnt and then somehow in whatever way - apply it to your current lifestyle. In doing so your eyes is now open to the reason for it, better than could be understand in a class room or from study alone.
I've had so many things "click" for me lately, especially after that Skousen article! I'm looking at life in a very different way. One scripture, particularly, that now makes sense is this:
"6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."
(New Testament | Luke 12:6 - 7)
I've slowed down, I'm reading more carefully and not trying to "cram" all the information at once. I'm spending more time watching my daughter. I'm spending more time watching *life*.
I'm having a hard time keeping my mouth shut when what I want to do is shout it all from the rooftops!! But another thing I've read is about keeping sacred things sacred, and not casting pearls before swine. I want so much to share this amazing information with my family.... and I can't. First, they wouldn't get it. Second, they would think I'd lost my mind. And so I can only share what is public knowledge already: repentance, baptism, faith, etc.
It's all very humbling. But what I can do, for sure, is change my own way of living, and hope I can make an impression on someone for good.
Roz
Roz, I know exactly how you are feeling because it happens to me too, everytime I learn something amazing I have that power within myself that wants to share it with everybody but then you realize that there is no many people you can share it with, in my case, I can only do it with my husband and I'm very grateful for it. But yes, sometimes I wish I could share it with my brothers and sisters but their minds are so far away from the basic principles of the Gospel, how could I share something more?. I hope not to sound self-righteous, it just that sometimes just as when you find something really good in your life, you want others to partake of the 'fruit' just like in Lehi's dream when he wanted his sons to partake the fruit.
Offtopic but, Today I finished reading for second time 'As a Man's thinketh' what a wonderful book!. I highly recommend it, it brings so much understanding about our own actions and it helps you to see the Gospel in a whole new perspective. |
Yes. So it's a "bittersweet" joy... I've even tried testing the waters, so to speak, with my mom now that I see her daily. But she's not only not prepared to hear anything above the basic teachings, she doesn't *want* to. And, once upon a time in her youth, she was the Gospel Doctrine teacher!!!
So I hold these things within me, and I wonder as I see my brothers and sisters at church -- who else has studied this, or gone beyond the basics? Is there anyone here I could start up a conversation with who would understand what I'm talking about? Not that I'm some scholar because I've read a few "extra" things! I'm just beginning my "higher education" and I'm no expert, obviously. But it would be great to be able to discuss these things with someone to enlighten both of our understanding.
IMO
Roz
QUOTE (LDS_forever @ 10-Dec 03, 9:24 PM) |
Alma 32:35-36 " O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good... |
"For those whose faith has faded, the reasons may be real to them, but
these reasons do not change the reality of what Joseph Smith restored. . . .
One cannot successfully attack true principles or doctrine, because they
are eternal."
(James E. Faust, "Lord, I Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief," Ensign, Nov. 2003, 21-22)