Lessons Learned From Kneeling (And the Sacrament)

I had the opportunity to go to one day of BYU's Education week last month.

Since I was only able to go on Friday (due to school other days) I prayed really hard that I would be able to go to the best classes for me possible. Heavenly Father helped me pick the best classes I could learn from!

One of the teachers I went to was Richard Holzapfel. He is a gospel scholar  and has done a lot of good for the church.

He talked on the significance and symbolism of kneeling. The class was titled, "Kneeling as a sign of humility, dependence on God, and worship."

I will address 3 things in this post that I learned from Brother Holzapfel.
1. Various scriptures describing the significance of kneeling.
2. The opposition in kneeling.
3. Kneeling during the Sacrament prepares us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

1. Various Scriptures Describing the Significance of Kneeling

One of my Institute teachers told me that if we would study the Temple worship in the Bible we would know exactly what happens in our modern Temples. The Church in Christ's time is the same as in these latter days - that's why its called the restored church - not the brand new church.

Just as we can learn about the Temple, the Bible and Book of Mormon have many accounts on learning how to worship our Lord - specifically in kneeling.

Here are a few examples:

Psalm 95:6-7 "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.  For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand."

1 Kings 8:54 "And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the Lord, he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven."

Solomon was on kneeling on the altar of the Lord just like couples kneel when they are being sealed in the Temple. 

 Acts 20:36 "And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all."

Mark 1: 40 "And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."

I love this leper. I've learned 2 lessons from him as I've written this. 1. This verse is like the process of prayer. We often beseech God in our lives, kneel down unto him and ask him to help make us whole. 2. This man also shows humility, dependence on God and worship. I believe Faith is the cornerstone of showing those three actions.

2. Three Examples of Kneeling and the Opposition That Comes Afterwards.

As the title of Brother Holzapfel address is "kneeling resembles humility, dependence on God and worship," here are some numerous life changing events have started with kneeling. Notice how they kneeled, prayed, then there was opposition from Satan to try to destroy them. Some examples:

Daniel in the Lions Den:

 Daniel was loved by King Darius. This made the other presidents and princes around jealous so they sought to destroy him, but they couldn't find any faults. The only thing they could think of was to go against Daniels beliefs of God. They went to King Darius and flattered him enough he made a law no one in the land could worship any God but could only worship the king. Daniel had such courage and faith that he would not listen to that law. He stayed true to God. "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."

You see, he kneeled and showed humility towards God submitting his will to Gods - then the opposition came where he was cast into the lions den. I truly believe him kneeling helped a lot to let God know whatever happened to him he would trust in His will. 

Joseph Smith's Vision of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ:

Notice again that Joseph kneeled to pray then the opposition came.

 "After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction."

Incredible! There was such evil at that moment in Joseph's life, but it makes me realize how much truth and light there was in kneeling right before the evil. Opposition in all things is real.

The greatest example of kneeling ever known to man is the example of our Savior Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Luke 22: 39-42 "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

The most monumental occasions in all of eternity - Christ's performance of the Atonement - began with Christ kneeling.

He showed and continues to show complete humility, dependence on his Father and continuous worship.

There is no better example of how we should act than that of Jesus Christ himself. 

So, shouldn't we be kneeling more often? If Jesus Christ commanded in 3 Nephi for the disciples to kneel and the whole congregation for that matter, shouldn't we be follow that commandment also?

 

3 Nephi 19:16 "And it came to pass that he spake unto the multitude, and commanded them that they should kneel down again upon the earth, and also that his disciples should kneel down upon the earth."

Now, here is probably the most exciting part in my opinion. 

3. Kneeling during the Sacrament prepares us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

 

D&C 20: "And the elder or priest shall administer it; and after this manner shall he administer it—he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying:" (sacrament prayer)...

 

The Sacrament table represents the altar of sacrifice and we kneel at that because Jesus Christs body is symbolized on the altar. Even though we don't kneel physically we should be kneeling mentally to Jesus Christ. Why? Going back to 3 Nephi again when Christ commanded the multitude and his disciples to kneel before him. 

 

 We are to kneel inside our hearts with the priests during the Sacrament.  Repeat the words they say in our minds. 

 

Why? Because this will prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Every Knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess Jesus Christ at the Second Coming. When we bow every week in our hearts during the Sacrament we are preparing ourselves now so that when Jesus Christ comes to rule the earth we will be prepared to kneel in His presence then.

 

 So, my challenge to all of us is simply to kneel. I'm trying to be more diligent in kneeling in prayer, but it's so much more than that. It's more than simply kneeling. It shows our devotion to God. 

 

 May we kneel more often so we can become as prepared as we can to kneel at our beloved Saviors feet when He returns to this earth, is my prayer and supplication.

Tender Mercies: Lessons Learned From Quails

Yesterday morning I looked out my window and saw a Papa Quail sitting there. I then looked at the bottom of my windowsill and saw a Mama Quail sitting there. As I was watching her she was chirping quite a bit - as she could see me very clearly - then I noticed something move beneath her... a baby! Then I noticed 2 babies and I thought that was all she had. They were about the size of my thumb - so you can imagine they were the most adorable fluffy balls I've ever incountered.

My Mom came to look at them and thought the Mama Quail would feel better if we made them a home so I would stop staring at them and make her feel defensive... :)

We made a make-shift home out of a box and I opened my window and set it next to the Momma. All of a sudden she flew away and there were 1,000,000 babies running EVERYWHERE. More like 15 babies but compare me thinking there were 2 to suddenly 15 running out from under the Momma - it was a lot.

We were satisfied with our home and I left them there.

A few minutes later my Mom came in again to tell me that she found on Google someone who had a similar situation with the Papa Quail pacing back and forth and the babies not being able to get out, so we knew we had to get the babies out somehow so they could be free.

My dream come true, I climbed through my window (the Mamma quail flew away) and we picked up the babies (that were running everywhere) and set them on the grass. 2 Babies ran into my room so I caught them while my Mom got the other ones. They were so precious. Once they were out of the windowsill their Momma came back to gather them.

My Mom and I went on a few errands and came back and a little baby had fallen back into the windowsill and was chirping and running around trying to get free. I went and talked to him to let him know I was there to help. I noticed his Dad was waiting next to the windowsill because he knew his son was still there (I decided it was a boy). I set the baby free and he ran under a bush next to his Dad. I think Papa Quail thanked me for helping his son. I could tell he was grateful.

I told my Mom and she thought it was so incredible that the Papa would wait for his child. A Fathers role is to provide, preside and protect... and this Papa Quail did just that.

About an hour later another little bird (I'm thinking the same one) fell into my Moms windowsill and I set him free. I looked around for his Mom and after a few minutes found her, set him down and he ran to her - so happily.

How This Applies to Tender Mercies

People who know me quite well know that I love animals. Growing up we had over 70 animals (Not all at once) :). 30 Koy Fish/regular fish, 15 Hamsters/guinea pigs, 25 cats/dogs and a goat etc... So I love animals.

We haven't been able to have a house pet (I long for a cat or duck or horse.. ha! Mostly cat) for the past 4 yearsish due to different circumstances and it has been really hard on me.

So, the fact that Heavenly Father knows how much I love all the animals of the Earth and aren't able to have one right now, He showed His loving mercy by letting the Mamma Quail have her children in my windowsill - and to add to it He let me hold them while trying to set them free.

He also has blessed me with a duck pond at BYU where I can go feed my beautiful duck friends and have them eat out of my hand. And up Provo canyon my Mom and I have found a piece of land where I can pet some of my horse friends which I love so dearly.

Heavenly Father is so good to us. He knows our needs, wants and circumstances. What may be a tender mercy for me - animals in this case - might not be a tender mercy for you. That's whats incredible. He knows us each so personally and intimately He provides what is most meaningful to us. What a loving Father we all have.

Scriptures and Words From the Brethren on Tender Mercies

It was definitely not a coincidence that on Sunday in Relief Society we talked about this very subject - Tender Mercies. God's timing is so perfect.

Elder Bednar gave a beautiful talk on Tender Mercies and said, "Some may count these experiences as simply a nice coincidence, but I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them."

Yes, all things testify of Christ and His goodness. I have realized while talking about it how much the Lord has shown His mercy to me in my life and specifically the past 2 years. I invite you to see how the Lord has been merciful to you in your life.

There are 76 scriptures in the Book of Mormon that have the word 'mercy' in them. Here are a few I specifically chose out.

1 Nephi 1:20 "But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."

1 Nephi 8:8 " And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies."

3 Nephi 22: 7-8, 10 "For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord the Redeemer.
"For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." 

Ether 6:12 "And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them."

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are merciful to everyone. From Nephi who saw the wickedness of Jerusalem and was cast out, to Lehi, who prayed while in his vision of the tree of life to be delivered from the darkness, and Christ being merciful to the Jewish people in the last days after their many tribulations for the crucifixion of Christ, to the Jaredites being guided across the sea to the promised land in the 8 barges - I again say, God is merciful to everyone.

Lastly, Moroni 10:3 - the last chapter in the Book of Mormon. "Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts."

From the beginning to the end of the Book of Mormon the Lord shows how merciful He is. From Nephi's words to Moroni's words and everything inbetween, we see how grand Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are.

I hope we can all ponder in our hearts, as Moroni urges us to, how merciful God has been to us, our families, our ancestors, America, all continents, all worlds, everything and everyone. If we do I believe we would be changed forever. Only things of true importance would we choose to put into our lives.

"When we put God first (acknowledge his tender mercies) all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives." - Ezra Taft Benson

Lessons Learned From Lot's Wife

Genesis 19:26 is the account of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt. I read the verse along with the Old Testament Student Manual (section 6-8) and it provided a lot more insights to that verse.

Here is some of what it says:

The account of Lot's wife being turned into a pillar of salt has puzzled many commentators. Was this event  a literal thing, or was it figurative? There are two indications in the scriptures that the phrase "looked back" was an idiomatic way of saying "she turned back" or "returned to Sodom." When warning the disciples of the destruction which was going to come upon Jerusalem, the Savior warned them to flee without delay, not even going into the house to get their possessions. Jesus said, "And he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife" (Luke 17:31-32). He then admonished them that he who seeks to save his life will lose it, and he who loses his life will find it.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie paraphrased those verses in these words:
"Look not back to Sodom and the wealth and luxury you are leaving. Stay not in the burning house, in the hope of salvaging your treasures, lest the flame destroy you; but flee, flee to the mountains.
"Seek temporal things and lose eternal life; sacrifice the things of this life and gain eternal life."

The implication is that Lot's wife started back to Sodom, perhaps to save some possessions, and was caught in the destruction.

In the Doctrine and Covenants is a scripture that uses the same terminology as Genesis 19:26. After warning the Saints to flee spiritual Babylon, which is wickedness, the Lord says, "He that goeth, let him not look back lest sudden destruction shall come upon him" (D&C 133:15). Again, the implication is that of a return to wickedness.

 Questions to Ponder

When we try to find 'home' in our earthly possessions, we will never be happy and we will become lost. We will lose our lives. If, however, we lose ourselves in the service God asks us to do - whatever it may be - and not care for possessions we may have while here on earth, we will find our lives.

Here are some questions I have asked myself after learning more about this story, and invite you to ask yourself the same and have the Spirit guide you to whatever other questions you may need to ask.

If I were called to leave everything I owned behind and travel somewhere the Lord asked me to, would I?

If I did leave everything behind, would it be in faith or fear? (Nephi vs. Laman and Lemuel)

Would I miss the 'worldy' things?

Would I murmur?

How truly dedicated am I to the Gospel?

These have been good things for me to ponder and I hope for you as well!

The Gospel is so good! My favorite part in studying this section was the quote by Elder McConkie, "seek temporal things and lose eternal life; sacrifice the things of this life and gain eternal life."

Everything we own is truly God's. He is letting us borrow everything on this Earth to see how we will use it. Once we recognize this, I feel it would be easier to give it all back when God asks us to. /as a matter of fact He has asked for it all back. He has asked us to give him everything we have (which is so little) and He will give us everything He has (which is more than we can comprehend).

What a kind, loving, generous, perfect Heavenly Father we have - to which I am so grateful.

Blueberry Syrup

Super easy, yummy blueberry syrup recipe. I don't know why I didn't think to make my own syrup before!

Not too sweet, but still so good!

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup water
2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave nectar (I usually use agave)
2 tablespoons arrowroot powder (I used Cornstarch)

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend on high until smooth. Pour liquid into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until little bubbles form, reduce heat just slightly and continue to cook while whisking until thickened and clear. It only takes about 3 to 5 minutes total cooking time! Just remember to keep whisking.

So far I have put this syrup on crepes and muffins - and I'm sure many more things to come. 

Blueberry Omm Nomm Nomm Muffins

Omm nomm nomm is about all I can say about these blueberry muffins I made. I haven't had a blueberry muffin - or a muffin at all in that matter - in a year or two.

I'm trying to expand my horizions in the food area, and boy these muffins sure did expand them!

I hope if you are gluten-free or cutting down on wheat you will enjoy these as much as my family and I have. I made 24 mini ones and 6 big ones and all but 6 were left in less than the hour I made them - you can tell my family liked them. :)

RECIPE:

Agave Sweetened Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients

• Ingredients
• 1¾ c apple sauce
• ⅓ c oil (I use olive)
• ½ c agave nectar
• 1¾ c gluten free flour (I use Bob's Redmill All Purpose GF Flour)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• About 1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen)

Instructions

1. Instructions
2. Preheat oven to 375°F.
3. In a large bowl, mix together apple sauce, oil and agave.
4. In a small bowl, sift together flour, soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Mix dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and stir until well-combined.
6. *Prepare a muffin tin. Pour ⅓ of desired amount of batter into each muffin section, then add a layer of 5-6 blackberries, then add one more layer of batter, and one more layer of blackberries, and, finally, cover the second blackberry layer with the remainder of batter. Your muffins should have two layers of blackberries in them when they are finished.
7.  Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown, then carefully cover the tin top with foil and bake for additional 5-7 minutes to make sure that the insides of the muffins are done. These muffins turn out soft and slightly moist. For thicker consistency, reduce the amount of apple sauce by ¼ cup.

*As I said, I made 24 mini-muffins. So I did 1/3 batter then 1 blueberry, more batter and a blueberry on top. I had left over batter so made 6 big muffins with about 10 blueberries per muffin. The mini muffins only needed about 12 minutes in the oven and the big muffins 17-20.

Instead of butter, I made a blueberry syrup to go on top of the muffins to make them even better!

The Refiners Fire - To Become Like God

I have wondered (as I think most people have wondered before) why I have gone through trials. Why do I have the specific trials I have? Why do I continue to go through trials? Will they ever end?

Being raised in the LDS church I have been blessed with the understanding of the 'why' we go through trials and what purpose they play in our lives.

I read this story in a book today and it touched my heart. It was another witness that the things I have learned why we go through trials are true. It lead me to thinking more about the trials in my life and in every one's lives that are there to help us become more faithful, charitable and ultimately more like God.

The Refiners Fire of Life:

There was once a group of women studying the book of Malachi in the Old Testament. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. This verse puzzled the women, and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. 

That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watch the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were the hottest as to burn away all the impurities. 

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot - then she thought again about the verse that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. 

The man answered "Yes", and explained that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was on the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be damaged.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" 

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy. When I see my image in it." 

If today you are feeling the heat of this world's fire, just remember that God has his eyes on you.

-Unknown

As we go through trials we are invited to (it's our choice to decide how we will be shaped from our trials) give up our pride, our natural man, our hearts, and our lives. If we give up all we have and care about on this Earth - which is nothing, God will give us all he has - which is everything.

 

Understanding the Reasons for Refining

Elder Faust gave a beautiful talk on this very subject. I invite you all to read this talk and see how it applies to your personal life. 

 

"Here then is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd.

Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process." (James E. Faust The Refiners Fire)

Here is a story of how a woman's challenges in her life helped her be more compassionate and  empathetic.

Our trials help us develop empathy. Empathy is a beautiful gift to help bless the lives of others, and I believe us sharing our trials (when prompted by the Spirit to) helps people more than us giving people advice. There is something so special about Empathy!

Christ is the Master of Empathy. He went through everything that everyone has been through. He truly knows how we feel. 

A Challenge: To Be Grateful 

 When I complain about my trials and challenges my life becomes miserable and I'm grumpy. In the scriptures I've been beginning to see how important it is to be thankful in all things - especially our trials. 

My favorite part Elder Faust said, "For some, the refiners fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process."

 When I am grateful for my trials (and I'm just beginning to truly try to be more grateful) I feel so much happier. As I am trying to understand that my trials are to help me become more like God it gives a greater perspective and is a lot easier for me to endure those challenges. 

We will come to an understanding that our trials will one day end. If we endure well and accept Heavenly Fathers plan, Jesus Christ has promised us that, "all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." D&C 84:38

Let us "submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." Mosiah 24:15

There are exciting and challenging times up a ahead, but I am confident that if we are grateful we will have that eternal perspective and stay on the road that leads home to our Heavenly Father.