I feel good

I have felt the spirit a lot today. I feel grateful for that because it isn't always that way. And church has been frustrating the last month or so. Just haven't really liked it. But I've been doing a couple things so that I could feel the spirit more in my life. Like drive the speed limit. And read my scriptures every day. And dedicate one day a week to studying prayer. And praying more fervently and frequently. My faith is increasing. It felt so good to feel the spirit today at church.

Heard thy cry

Mosiah 9 was a perfect chapter to read because it gave a great train of scriptures to follow. On verse 8 I think. On the word "hear."

The scriptures in the footnote for that word were all so perfect. I'm learning that there is a distinction between hearing and then doing something. Sometimes all this wants to do is to hear our cries. And he always hears them. Then he decides if it's in our best interest to answer them or to respond to them. But he always hears them.

Grace

I mean, how do we use Grace very day? How do we do continuously apply the blood of the atonement? How do I continue to convert?

Repent daily
Pray really hard
Pray often
Think about and keep my covenants
Receive Him
Abide in him
Let his words abide in me
Learn about him and his words
Keep his commandments willingly and purposely and eagerly

I have tasted the sweet taste of forgiveness or growth or change of heart, but can I feel so now. I mean, not as much as then. I don't think this lack is because of sin per se. Maybe just lack of effort.

"We find joy in the consistent effort of experiencing a change of heart as we embrace the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives." Elder Dube, Ensign, June 2016

Between he and thee alone

D&C 28:11 talks about Joseph Smith and how he needed to talk to Hiram Page, a man who purported to be receiving revelation through a stone, his fault. The Lord told Joseph to go to him alone, essentially to not make the issue public. I think this is important, and a good principle. I need to approach people directly and not talk about them with others or make them look bad. He footnote leads to Matthew 18:15: ¶Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Then I read Uchtdorf's "The Merciful Shall Obtain Mercy," and it was so powerful and moving. Do I forgive? Am I the kind of person who forgives? I need to forgive. I need to think about the beams in my eye, and about the imperfections and sins that Jesus forgives in me. I need to show love to others and remember that maybe I am supposed to love them and help them. I need to fill my body and heart with love for God and let that govern my feelings and thoughts and actions.