I would like to focus my thoughts this week on a question that can be gleaned from the above passage. What does it mean to be "willing?" How do we know that our hearts are in tune with the Lord?
One answer to this is a simple response that I received from one of my home teachees less than two days ago; he said that we know we are on the right track when we receive a confirmation from the Spirit, a peace that is spoken to our mind and hearts (see D&C 6:23). So, perhaps a better question is, how do we get there?
This can be answered as we answer the original question on what it really means to be "willing." First off, we know that willingness precedes some sort of action, as is manifest in many different examples (see Mosiah 18:9, Moroni 4:3, D&C 97:8 for a few). In the scriptures, these actions almost always involve coming closer to God, most often through sacred covenants. Sacred covenants are made effective through our faith to follow them, and therefore willingness must needs be a product of faith; this is a faith that "everything will turn out okay," that Heavenly Father's richest blessings will become manifest in our lives if we serve him, and keep our c
ovenants. In its purest form, this faith sees trials as chances for growth, as trials were always a part of the deal. As an example, take the baptismal covenant, as described by the prophet Alma:And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? (Mosiah 18:8-10)
Let it be known today that "mourn[ing] with those who mourn," "comfort[ing] those that stand in need of comfort," and "stand[ing] as a witness of God at all times and in all things" takes work, perhaps even more than we ever would have contemplated going into it. I think that this is part of the Plan, however, as our faith is only strengthened as we put it through the refiner's fire.
A tangible example and symbol of this is my CTR ring, pictured above and at left. If one looks closely, one sees gnarled metal and stripped paint. A look at the back side reveals scratches and a misshapen circle as the result of being worn every day for roughly the last seven years. Perhaps the wear and tear that would come upon it were numbered, but most likely not. However, if we look back upon its face, we can see that the ring still portrays the iconic Mormon message, fulfilling the measure of its creation. I still get many people in and outside of the Church who ask me about my ring, and for those not familiar with what it represents, it provides me an opportunity to speak on the beauty that the Gospel brings. There is a great type in this story, being that as we take upon ourselves the name of Christ and enter into covenants, we may not possibly understand what type of commitment that will really entail, but if we have faith the Lord will use us until our time in this mortal sphere has reached its conclusion. His image will still be on our countenances, even if we are stripped of beauty, worn down, and misshapen. I know this to be true, because I experience it every day in my life.
Let us be true to the faith that our parents have cherished, those truths for which martyrs have perished. I know that as we do so we will be blessed, and our willingness to serve and be sons and daughters of Christ will be "manifest by [our] works that [we] have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of[our] sins." (D&C 20:37)
Have a great week!
Let it be known today that "mourn[ing] with those who mourn," "comfort[ing] those that stand in need of comfort," and "stand[ing] as a witness of God at all times and in all things" takes work, perhaps even more than we ever would have contemplated going into it. I think that this is part of the Plan, however, as our faith is only strengthened as we put it through the refiner's fire.
A tangible example and symbol of this is my CTR ring, pictured above and at left. If one looks closely, one sees gnarled metal and stripped paint. A look at the back side reveals scratches and a misshapen circle as the result of being worn every day for roughly the last seven years. Perhaps the wear and tear that would come upon it were numbered, but most likely not. However, if we look back upon its face, we can see that the ring still portrays the iconic Mormon message, fulfilling the measure of its creation. I still get many people in and outside of the Church who ask me about my ring, and for those not familiar with what it represents, it provides me an opportunity to speak on the beauty that the Gospel brings. There is a great type in this story, being that as we take upon ourselves the name of Christ and enter into covenants, we may not possibly understand what type of commitment that will really entail, but if we have faith the Lord will use us until our time in this mortal sphere has reached its conclusion. His image will still be on our countenances, even if we are stripped of beauty, worn down, and misshapen. I know this to be true, because I experience it every day in my life.
Let us be true to the faith that our parents have cherished, those truths for which martyrs have perished. I know that as we do so we will be blessed, and our willingness to serve and be sons and daughters of Christ will be "manifest by [our] works that [we] have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of[our] sins." (D&C 20:37)
Have a great week!
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