I'm revisiting this saying. Alma 4:13 says to suffer afflictions for Christ's sake. What does that mean? I don't know. He had to suffer for everything anyway, regardless of whether or not we do too. Maybe it's something like this: suffer like He did not for him but for us.
I feel animosity toward my in-laws for lots of reasons. But I should suffer or handle the things they do like Jesus would.
How do we sanctify ourselves? D&C 43:16 says that if we do it, then we will be endowed with power and then will be able to give or do whatever he asks us to. So good! So, sanctifying ourselves. There are a few ways from this same section:
1. Treasure up his word (v. 34)
2. Hearken to these words
3. Let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your mind
4. Be sober (35)
5. Keep all my commandments
6. Labor in his vineyard (28)
7. Repent (22)
8. Gird up your loins (19)
9. Lift up your voices and call all nations to repent
Deut 11:22 ¶For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him.
What is walking with the Lord? Its walking in His way. It's obeying His commandments. It's completing his ordinances and keeping our covenants with Him.
14 And they did also bury their weapons of war, according as their brethren had, and they began to be a righteous people; and they did walk in the ways of the Lord, and did observe to keep his commandments and his statutes.
It's burying our weapons of war. It's finding out what our weapons are first! What are our vices or habits or sins we need to repent of and bury?
It's loving God.
From a sacrament meeting talk in council bluffs
It should matter to us what other people think of God and the Church BECAUSE of us.
Also, not being a bad example isn't the same thing as being a good example. Not doing anything is not being a positive example.
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.
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.
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
