Songs of the Season

There is nothing that gets me in the Christmas mood as well as Christmas songs. On the radio the other day I heard the song Mary Did You Know. I listened to the words carefully and I was extremely moved--I don't believe I have ever thought about how incredible it truly was for Christ to come to earth.

Music touches me in a way that nothing else can. One of my favorite parts of church is always the singing of hymns. Christmas hymns are my favorite. Each Christmas song has a different approach to the marvelous truth of the Savior of the World. It is extra nice to sing of Christ's birth in the dead of winter when the world is lifeless and cold, because of Christ we need never die.

He is truly the Light of the World even in the darkest night.

Thankful

It seems fitting to write a thankful blog. To make this interesting, I will write everything I can think of that I am thankful for (in no particular order) in ten minutes. Start the clock!

1. loving family
2. the gospel
   
3. health
4. educational opportunities
5. scholarships
6. living in the USA
7. having a job
8. being accepted into the nursing program
9. a house with heating
10. clean water
11. right to vote
12. rights given by the Constitution
13. enough money for my needs
14. enough food to eat
15. internet to keep in touch
16. three libraries within biking distance
17. rain
18. music
19. having the Holy Ghost
20. electricity
21. hot water
22. my own room
23. shoes
24. clothes
25. access to a car
26. bus pass
27. bicycle
    
28. close family
29. good friends
30. my own computer
31. blankets
32. chocolate
33. money in the bank
    
34. flowers
35. the mountains
36. the sun
37. a country that doesn't have riots (often)
38. my own stash of books
39. knowing God loves me
40. happy attitude
41. ideals
42. fresh fruit
43. fresh bread
44. hope
45. love for others
46. vacation days
47. Christmas
48. Easter
49. opportunity to cook
50. piano in the house

Wow--fifty exactly. I didn't plan that, promise.

Eternal Perspective

Yesterday I talked with a friend I haven't seen in a while. I always love her conversation because she has such great eternal perspective. It is very easy for me to get caught up in my own little bubble of classes, work, family, and friends. I need to have more focus on the eternal.

I believe that this life is a time for me to prepare to meet God. I need to live Christ's teachings fully so that I can be clean and return to live with Heavenly Father. I need to do what I know is right. I need to work on not occupying my time with the "good" things in life so that I can do the "best" things.

How much better would the world be if everyone often thought about the fact that one day soon they will need to face their Maker and give an accounting for their time and actions.

Law of Consecration

I've recently been thinking a lot about the Law of Consecration. Basically, that we give all our time, talents, and possessions to the Lord for His work. The law makes complete sense to me, but some parts of it are easier to live than others.

For example, the dedication of all possessions--I've never had a problem with tithing (giving 10% of my income to the Church) or with Fast Offerings (giving money to help the needy). In something I read, after we dedicate all we have to the Lord, He makes us stewards over our possessions. I pondered about why we needed to give up everything only to have it given back and came up with two theories.

First, when we are owners we don't answer to anyone for our actions with our possessions. However, when we are stewards we are responsible to the actual owner and we work harder to keep the commandments the Lord has given us--godhood by training wheels. Secondly, if we are owners we need to spend our own money to buy additional property. However, God is in actuality the owner of all things, and if we are wise stewards with what He gives us responsibility over, then He will give us more--in fact, all that He has. Someone has called it the "best return rate we will ever get" because we give God everything we have, and in return He gives us everything He has: everything.

Symbols

Recently it seems that my life has been centered on symbols. In Doctrine and Covenants class we've been talking about symbols in religious art, in my chemistry class we are always taking about chemical symbols, in my Adam and Eve class we talk about symbols, and in my Maya Art class we always talk about symbols.

Yesterday I went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead by proxy. I decided to "think like a Maya" and look for all the symbolism I could. I was blown away. I saw so many symbols with so many meanings it made my head spin and I had to stop. All in just one hour! I couldn't even grasp how much meaning there must be in all the temple symbols. Mostly I saw symbols of life and of gathering.

I am motivated to open my eyes and my mind a little wider to see all the incredible depth in what is around me--symbols and people.

Loving the Individual

In between General Conference Sunday sessions there is always a documentary of some kind. I remember the documentary during the Conference before last--it was about President Monson and how he cares for the "one," the individual. Hearing those stories, I felt much closer to President Monson.

In Sunday School today we read the scriptures in 3 Nephi 17-19 when Jesus Christ comes to the Americas and teaches and blesses the people. He takes time to bless them individually. Reading about Christ's compassion reminded me of the Atonement and how it was given for humanity as a whole, but also for each one of us individually.

Loving people is not very difficult for me. However, I am a very private person, and I easily get wrapped up in my own needs and wants and I often neglect to show my love. I am going to try to be better at caring for people individually--to talk to my family, friends, and acquaintances one-on-one, to do little things to make their lives better. In this way I hope for my love to be increased and to become more like Christ.

Family and the Sermon on the Mount

Today in Sunday School we talked about Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I have been thinking how applicable Jesus' words are for family. How much less contention there would be in my family if I did not get angry with my brothers and sisters! How much more joy we would find in each others company if I did not judge my brothers and sisters!

I can imagine what blessings of tenderness and closeness my family would have if I would turn the other cheek. One of my favorite movies is Gandhi, although I do not watch it frequently because it is so long. Near the beginning of that film Gandhi is talking to a Christian missionary and they walk by a group of men looking for trouble. When Gandhi remarks that he will turn the other cheek if attacked, the missionary says that he thinks Jesus was being metaphorical. Gandhi says that he will take Jesus' words literally. And they work.

I am sure we all agree that Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount are beautiful and true sentiments, but I believe our lives would be much happier if we took them literally and acted on them. Our families would be more happy, the world would be more peaceful.

Gathering

It seems to me that a major theme in the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints right now is gathering. I am thinking especially of President Uchtdorf's talk in the Priesthood session of General Conference to "stand together and lift where you stand," and President Eyring's talk about unity.

The way I see it, there are two main reactions to gathering (if one takes the call seriously). The first is what happens at my house when my parents dress in their "work" clothes and announce that today we are going to work in the yard. Basically we either scatter with a cast-iron excuse or we reluctantly help. Sometimes I think we respond to the call of church leaders in the same way, reluctantly if at all. It can be only too easy to drag our feet and rationalize why we are not better. We can so easily become overcome with the magnitude of the work.

The second possible reaction to the gathering call is what happens when my sister pulls a cake out of the oven, or my dad asks who wants to go to a particular movie--people suddenly materialize, no matter what else they were doing. The call to gather really ought to be responded to with joyful haste. After all, when we combine our faith and our skills, all the burden will be lighter.

General Conference

I always love General Conference. General Conference is twice a year (April and October) when the whole Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathers to hear revelation from the Lord. This revelation is given by the leadership of the Church after prayer and meditation. Members of the Church can watch General Conference on the internet, in church buildings, and in some places on TV, and can listen in on radio.

When I was younger I liked it because we got to stay home and watch it on TV. We kids were always able to maneuver our parents into buying special treats because it is a very special weekend, after all.

Now that I'm older I love General Conference because it gives me the motivation I need to try to be a better person. I very much appreciate what was said in the closing prayer of the Sunday afternoon session (there are four 2-hour sessions--two on Saturday and two on Sunday). The prayer said something along the lines of thanks for proud hearts being humbled, weak hearts being strengthened, and comfort given to all.

General Conference is a treat for me. I love hearing what is most important for me to do during the next six months until the upcoming conference. I always come away with so many ways to be better, but without fail I come away with a feeling of love from God and courage to do those things.

Priesthood as a Male Responsibility--A Matter of Trust

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. I am a Mormon. I am not an oppressed woman. In my Doctrine and Covenants class we are reading about the restoration and duties of the priesthood. We believe that God restored the priesthood, the power and authority of God to minister and conduct ordinances, in the 1800's to Joseph Smith. We believe that the priesthood is a male responsibility.

I have heard many different reasons that the priesthood is a male responsibility. One is that men needed to be officially given the duty to take care of those who need it, and women will just do it anyway. Another reason I've heard is that it makes men on equal footing with women to do what God wants them to do, because women do so through motherhood. There are probably many other reasons that I have not heard. I have never been taught that the priesthood is like golf, "Gentleman only, ladies forbidden," a men-only club.

I do not know the "real" reason that the priesthood is given to men and not women, and that has never really bothered me. I love the Lord, and I trust Him. I know that the Lord loves and trusts me. Therefore, that God says the priesthood is a male responsibility is enough for me. I don't worry that it's because I'm not good enough to have it, and I am not threatened that the men in my life have it. Rather, I am grateful that I am blessed to have access to the power of God.

Feasting or Force-fed?

I am always pleasantly surprised when I enjoy reading the scriptures, although I know I shouldn't be. At church everyone always says how wonderful the scriptures are, and in Sunday School we try to make the scriptures interesting and pull out moral truths. And reading the scriptures is one of the "Primary answers" that are learned when five years old and answer any question.

"What should I do if I'm feeling lonely?"

"Read the scriptures, pray, Jesus."

"What do I do when something bad happens?"

"Read the scriptures, pray, Jesus."

Reading the scriptures is pounded so heavily they must be vital. But I am always surprised when I actually enjoy them, find answers and comfort, and feel like I get to know God better.

I think it's in the same way that I am always pleasantly surprised when I like one of the "classic" books that are crammed down our throats in school. I know that theoretically the classics are called so because they are good by any age's measures. But I am rather amazed when I find that I still like a book after plodding through worksheets, papers, symbolism discussions, and tests that all try to force feed the reader the wonders of the book.

Jane Eyre, for example. I was expecting a Gothic romance-tragedy stripped of all humanity--much like the black and white movie of Jane Eyre I watched for a bit on TV once long ago. I wasn't expecting that every now and then Charlotte Bronte would write something and . . . that's just what I was thinking! I would feel a connection between myself and an author long dead because of an immortal character.

In my Doctrine and Covenants class we are reading the personal words from the Lord to some of the early church members. I feel like the scriptures are more applicable to me when I read what the Lord said to so-and-so, another person just trying to do their best. As I read the words of the Lord I feel His Spirit testifying that these are not the words of an author long dead--these are the words of a living God.