We Cannot Love God if We do not Love Our Brother

I'm taking a Teachings of John Institute class and this week we studied 1 John 4 - about love.

The past few months I've tried to understand how to forgive more - and I think because I have been focusing on it more I've noticed it more. For example, our family car was bought at a certain dealership I never heard of before we got the car. After we got the car I started noticing how many other people bought their cars at the same dealership. When we focus on something, we will find it.

So, as I've been trying to learn about forgiveness and I have noticed people talking about it everywhere.

Here is a small portion of what I have learned about forgiveness.

 1 John 4:8 "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

1 John 4:20 "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"

Wow. This is so beautifully put I don't think we can misunderstand it.

This little video is one of my favorites. This parable, of the unmerciful servant, is one of my favorite parables. A statement to ponder while you watch: No one owes me more than what I owe Christ. What does this mean? We owe Christ more than we can ever repay. Due to this, we must forgive because Christ has told us to and we owe more to him than anyone we are debating to forgive can possibly owe us.

We owe Christ more than we can ever pay. People who have trespassed against us can only owe us pennies to what we owe Christ.

There are some things in my life I sincerely wish to be healed and forgiven. I realized a few days ago that I believe in order for me to heal/be forgiven of what I would like, I need to forgive everyone of everything that has happened in my life. I need to do that before I can be healed. Forgiving others leads to being healed! How incredible!

How do we do that? I know it's hard! Sometimes in our human fallen nature, we want revenge. We don't want to forgive. If we forgive we can be taken advantage of, hurt even more, we won't be able to hold grudges. But if we want to be healed and forgiven (and be 'free'), we must forgive.

I believe the 2 foundational points to forgiveness are compassion and humility;

Compassion - for the people who have hurt us. In the hymn "Lord I would Follow Thee" is a line, "Who am I to judge another when I walk imperfectly? In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see." We will never know the true intentions or why people hurt us. We need to have compassion as Jesus Christ did, with everyone who hurts us - and in general. Christ had perfect compassion for everyone - even the people who betrayed him. He is the perfect example to us how to have compassion.

 Humility - realizing that we need Jesus Christ. Realizing that we are the servant who is in complete debt (to Him) that we can never repay.

If we are sincere and ask for the Lord's help to forgive someone, He will help. He wants to help us!

Once we forgive someone, we need to walk away from that situation for good. Don't bring up the circumstances again, just let it go. God will help us let go.

The Spirit will help us humble ourselves. He will help us ask for God's help. But it us up to us to decide to forgive someone and let it go.

After we have forgiven someone, we need to replace those feelings with charity which is the pure love of Christ.

 "47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." - Moroni 7:47-48

If we have this love, we are becoming more like God and we will be able to see him when he comes because we will be like him.

Seeing Him comes by forgiving one other through his love, which brings healing to ourselves, which helps us become better servants to God in helping build up his kingdom. 

I hope and pray we will all pray humbly and with 'all the energy of heart that we may be filled with this love' to be able to forgive more fully. 

Study the scriptures- as they will tell us all things which we should do to return to our Heavenly Father which is the whole reason for coming to this Earth. 

The Gospel is the only thing that matters.

Judge Not that Ye Be Not Judged

Today I went to a different LDS ward where a friend was giving a talk before she leaves for her mission on Wednesday.

There was a married couple that spoke after my friend. The woman was about 35 and her husband I would guess, 40. I saw the wife sitting on the stand and thought she had a great light about her and thought didn't think much more about her, really, until she stood up to give her talk.

When she stood up to speak at the pulpit I noticed tattoos on both her arms. Instantly I had a judgement - not a bad judgement, but more like me wondering why she had tattoos on her arms and what her story was.  She said, "I grew up an active member of the church. When I met my husband and we got married, we became inactive for a few years. Then I decided to get some tattoos. I used to turn away from people with tattoos and then when I got a few I noticed people would turn away from me." She bore her testimony and I grew to love her more and realized there are always 2 sides to a pancake - 2 sides to every story.

Her husband then stood up and he was wearing sunglasses and I wondered what his story was too. He joined the church in his 20s after her served in the Marines for several years. He said that he has many, many health issues such as PTSD, tourette's, and bipolar which he needs to be on a lot of medication for. He takes 25 pills a day to keep him being a 'normal' person. He sometimes has to stay at home by himself because he literally cannot handle being around other people.  He wears sunglasses because he has a really hard time being around people and even himself. When he looks in the mirror he often times doesn't recognize himself and doesn't know who he is.
When Marines come home and have mental illnesses, they sometimes get rated how bad it is. He was at the top of the scale at a 9 for how severe his illnesses are.

He shared that, "When you have a membership to a gym you aren't expected to already have 18" muscles or a size 6 waist - and if you don't have those, you get kicked out. The contract to that gym doesn't say you have to have those requirements. You go to the gym to become strengthened.
The same with the church. You aren't required to have a perfect, strong testimony when you go to church. You go to church to become strengthened."

After the meeting ended I went up to them both and started crying. I was so thankful for their testimonies and examples to me. I grew to love them both - even though I'd never met them in my life before. They were very real people. They didn't hide behind a facade of pretending to be happy, cheerful, and 'perfect' all the time - that's why I say they were real.

I had a 30 minute drive back to my house and wanted to learn how I could stop judging people, so I listened to President Uchtdorf's talk, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy" where he addresses how we can stop being so critical of others. Here are a few inserts from his address.

"This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:

Stop it!

It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children. God is our Father. We are His children. We are all brothers and sisters. I don’t know exactly how to articulate this point of not judging others with sufficient eloquence, passion, and persuasion to make it stick. I can quote scripture, I can try to expound doctrine, and I will even quote a bumper sticker I recently saw. It was attached to the back of a car whose driver appeared to be a little rough around the edges, but the words on the sticker taught an insightful lesson. It read, “Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you.”

We must recognize that we are all imperfect—that we are beggars before God. Haven’t we all, at one time or another, meekly approached the mercy seat and pleaded for grace? Haven’t we wished with all the energy of our souls for mercy—to be forgiven for the mistakes we have made and the sins we have committed?

Because we all depend on the mercy of God, how can we deny to others any measure of the grace we so desperately desire for ourselves? My beloved brothers and sisters, should we not forgive as we wish to be forgiven?"

He continues, "The more we allow the love of God to govern our minds and emotions—the more we allow our love for our Heavenly Father to swell within our hearts—the easier it is to love others with the pure love of Christ. As we open our hearts to the glowing dawn of the love of God, the darkness and cold of animosity and envy will eventually fade.

"When our hearts are filled with the love of God, we become “kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving [each other], even as God for Christ’s sake [forgave us]."

"The Savior promised: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. … For with the same measure that [you use] it shall be measured to you again. Shouldn’t this promise be enough to always focus our efforts on acts of kindness, forgiveness, and charity instead of on any negative behavior?

"Remember: in the end, it is the merciful who obtain mercy.¹⁷

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wherever we may be, let us be known as a people who “have love one to another.”¹⁸

"Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.

"Lay your burden at the Savior’s feet. Let go of judgment. Allow Christ’s Atonement to change and heal your heart. Love one another. Forgive one another.

The merciful will obtain mercy."

I add my words to his - I know it is our choice. Our choice to choose to be judgmental or not be judgmental, happiness or misery, love or anger. I invite you if you struggle with being judgmental to ponder in your heart how you can improve. 

I also know that it is only through God's power that we can improve. He is the one who can soften our hearts to change how we see people. I hope we can get to the point of seeing everyone around us for who they really are - that is God's children who have the potential to become like Him.

Sources:

The Merciful Obtain Mercy - President Uchtdorf

A Story of How God Worked in a Mysterious Way...

I was reading in the Book of Mormon student manual this morning and came across this beautiful story of how God worked in a mysterious way and it changed a mans life. This story brought tears to my eyes and it was another witness of how incredible the Book of Mormon is and how it changes lives.

President James E. Faust related an experience shared by Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy that demonstrates the converting power of the Book of Mormon:
“Sister Celia Cruz Ayala of the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission decided to give the Book of Mormon to a friend. She wrapped it in attractive paper and set out to deliver her present.

“On the way she was attacked by a bandit who stole her purse and with it the wrapped copy of the Book of Mormon. A few days later she received this letter:

“‘Mrs. Cruz:

“‘Forgive me, forgive me. You will never know how sorry I am for attacking you. But because of it, my life has changed and will continue to change. That book [the Book of Mormon] has helped me in my life. The dream of that man of God has shaken me. … I am returning your five pesos for I can’t spend them. I want you to know that you seemed to have a radiance about you. That light seemed to stop me [from harming you, so] I ran away instead.

“‘I want you to know that you will see me again, but when you do, you won’t recognize me, for I will be your brother. … Here, where I live, I have to find the Lord and go to the church you belong to.

“‘The message you wrote in that book brought tears to my eyes. Since Wednesday night I have not been able to stop reading it. I have prayed and asked God to forgive me, [and] I ask you to forgive me. … I thought your wrapped gift was something I could sell. [Instead,] it has made me want to make my life over. Forgive me, forgive me, I beg you.

“‘Your absent friend.’

“Such is the conversion power of the Book of Mormon” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 58; or Ensign, May 1996, 42).

Again, this is another witness of the power of the Book of Mormon and ultimately, the power of God. I hope this strengthens your testimony as it did mine. We are a blessed people and God is so mindful of us.

Are Your Feet Beautiful?

I'm taking a class where we are learning about the 4 Gospels in the Bible being; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Today we discussed how it was not a secret that Jesus Christ was going to be born. Heavenly Father tried to spread the word so that EVERYONE would know and could be prepared.

I didn't realize how many accounts there were in the scriptures to help prepare the people. I could list hundreds, but I won't write all that, so...

A few examples...

"Anna, a prophetess... coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Luke 2:36-38

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." Luke 2:15-17

"And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." Luke 1:14

"And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God." Luke 1:16

"And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.
And it shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the mouth of angels, at the time of his coming, that the words of our fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them." - Alma 13:25-26

My personal favorite, Alma 13:24,  "For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory."

Its pretty clear to me that people knew about Christ's birth.

Our Responsibility as Latter-Day Saints:

There is a wonderful talk by Elder Andersen addressing our responsibility as members of the Church. 

He said, " Have you ever thought about why you were sent to earth at this specific time? You were not born during the time of Adam and Eve or while pharaohs ruled Egypt or during the Ming dynasty. You have come to earth at this time, 20 centuries after the first coming of Christ. The priesthood of God has been restored to the earth, and the Lord has set His hand to prepare the world for His glorious return. These are days of great opportunity and important responsibilities. These are your days.

With your baptism, you declared your faith in Jesus Christ. With your ordination to the priesthood, your talents and spiritual capacities have been increased. One of your important responsibilities is to help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Savior."

 It is our duty. This leads up to the question, "Are your feet beautiful?"

Are your feet beautiful?

Think deeper than physicality.

Isaiah has a beautiful definition of what beautiful feet look like... "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"

To make it a more clear, Abinadi expounds on it a little more; "And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever. And behold, I say unto you this is not all. O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people. For were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, I say unto you, were it not for this, all mankind must have perished."

We have beautiful feet when we share the message of Christ.

 It is a great question to ask ourselves. Are my feet beautiful? Are we sharing the Gospel AKA Good News with the world? Are we trying to forget our own story and tell Jesus Christs' story? Are we really internalizing what Moroni said to, "labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God."?

I hope we would all think (even if you aren't a member of the LDS church) of ways we can share the story of Jesus Christ more than we are.

The Brethren have told us for a very long time that the Saviors second coming is soon. We have been prepared for Christ, just like the people in the Bible and Book of Mormon were prepared - so let us help others prepare too.

I am so excited for the second coming. I am excited to share about Christ more. I'm thankful for the opportunity I've had to look internally and see how I can improve, and hope you will think how you can too.

Sources:
Preparing the World for the Second Coming - Neil L. Andersen

Purpose of This Blog

I've felt the past few months that a blog would be very beneficial for me to be able to share my feelings with the world. I've had the opportunity to learn many important lessons in my life (the past year especially - and continuing) that I would like to share and hope to bless someone's life, maybe yours.

I had a few blogs when I was younger but didn't maintain them very well. I'm to the point now where I am more dedicated and excited to write then I have ever before felt.

My blog will focus on lessons I have learned about inward improvement being spiritual/psychological, outward improvement being health/body (some of my favorite healthy recipes), how I believe we can improve and help one another in society, my religious beliefs and how they have benefited my life... and over-all experiences I have been through I think can help someone who reads this blog. :)

I'm not a 'perfect' person (Noah Webster Dictionary 1828 definition of perfect: complete, finished) but I am on a journey of trying to become the best person I can! I'm excited to share my feelings. I feel like I can express myself better on paper than in person and I love writing.

This blog is not exclusive to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), but I will share my beliefs based on the Gospel - because that is who I am.

Thank you for being a part of who I am in my life and I hope that some of the lessons I have learned in my life can maybe help you from making the same mistakes I have, or help you think how to improve yourself and become who you were created to become - that is like our God in Heaven.