As the very kind officer finished writing out my ticket, he handed it to me and cheerfully directed, “You have a good day, ma’am!”. Although life is not over yet, is it? Rector of the Islamic University of Rotterdam . I felt Heavenly Father’s love and peace in such rich abundance. knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Is it possible that something nearer and dearer to us than a water heater or a blow dryer could entice us? “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer,” Hymns, 2002, no. I am suggesting talking to the Lord instantly, as Paul said, wherever we are and about whatever enticement has confronted us. My husband asked him why all the other cars weren’t towed away. Fundamentalist Heresy Unto You Therefore Which Believe He is Precious! to Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Perhaps it was a flat tire on your way to the airport or you woke up to a broken water heater and no hot water for your shower. promptings, the light of the Spirit will fade. I now choose to have a lousy day.”. I turned my car around and, through my tears, was once again on my way to my original destination, watching the speedometer with great care. Isn’t that one step toward spiritual refinement? Let’s now examine a peculiar word taught to us by the great prophet Lehi that can help us in our efforts to look unto the Lord. We cannot allow the enticements of life “to interfere with [our] prospects” for eternal life. 43. . President Brigham Young explained the practicality of the gospel in these words: The principles of eternity and eternal exaltation are of no use to us, unless they are brought down to our capacities so that we practice them in our lives.1, The Lord likewise told us, “I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation.”2. He looked to His Father in every thought. Is that not looking unto the Lord in every thought? rise up for me against the evildoers? Nephi then continued as if a major epiphany had occurred, seeming almost to shout: Awake, my soul! Maybe a friend or coworker? And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. We are empowered by the Spirit with disciplined self-restraint and a settled and calm demeanor. We just celebrated our forty-fourth anniversary. The scriptures attest to the fact that the Savior “suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.”39 No human being could ever have endured what He suffered.40 He was and is the Master at transcending enticements and always retaining complete control of His agency. It is such a remarkable privilege to be here with you today. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. By following the promptings of the Spirit and looking to the Lord, Nephi overcame and grew in spirit and in power. Nephi told them to keep the partying down, which, of course, angered them. I challenge you this week and beyond to watch for those enticements, to treasure and protect your agency, and to look unto Him in your every thought. As we come unto and follow the Savior, we increasingly and incrementally are enabled to become more like Him. The next verse tells us: And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.27. He experienced tests and trials as well as the blessings that followed. It was just one of those rare perfect mornings—until I suddenly noticed a number of cars ahead of me being pulled over by the police. The English writer and Anglican cleric John Donne is considered now to be the preeminent metaphysical poet of his time. It is based on the doctrines and principles of the Son of God. My heart sank, my pride was dashed, and, unfortunately, my biggest worry was that someone I knew would see me! TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: Chef Dan Barber squares off with a dilemma facing many chefs today: how to keep fish on the menu. The jailor put them in the inner prison and bound their feet in stocks. We can practice throughout the day looking unto Him in instant prayer and gratitude. Many years later, Nephi’s brother Jacob counseled all of us to contemplate these truths when he said, “Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose.”24. . Save that, in love unto Demetrius, I told him of your stealth unto this wood. The Bible’s original love triangle: Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. It is your choice whether you will “teach him a lesson” with angry words or whether you will remember that this is all about your relationship with your son and your Father in Heaven and your spiritual growth, no matter what your son did. Each day brings opportunity for decisions for eternity.18, What I refer to as Nephi’s “bad day” illustrates well decisions for eternity. Neal A. Maxwell, “Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds,” Ensign, May 1991. I would feel like yielding; I would say, I do not want to quarrel, I want to be a Saint. The door opens, and he walks in. My super-enticed husband walked up to the man and said, “Well, I imagine you get pretty tired of people coming in here and yelling at you just for doing your job, don’t you?”. . Simply put, the gospel of Jesus Christ works. . Their external services in religion, and the shows of … Of course there must be consequences for his behavior, but feeling and expressing sincere love is the most important thing in this moment, described in the scriptures as. Prayer | Oh, how wonderful it is to learn! !” As time goes by, you feel the Spirit being pushed away as angry or fearful thoughts envelop your mind. Nephi was commanded to build a ship. Joy D. Jones, Primary general president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered this devotional address during BYU Campus Education Week on August 21, 2018. Truths To Give Heart Burn | Thus, meek is what we become as disciples of the Master.41. 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. David A. Bednar, “Meek and Lowly of Heart,” Ensign, May 2018. . Shop by department, purchase cars, fashion apparel, collectibles, sporting goods, cameras, baby items, and everything else on eBay, the world's online marketplace The people we love most can provide some of our greatest enticements and also our greatest opportunities for spiritual growth. Their profane contempt of God’s judgments, and setting them at defiance, would not secure them . Obviously we cannot completely control the events that come at us daily, but we can indeed control the worthwhileness of those events. Instead, it promulgates one of the oldest arguments of a swain to a maid: “All the world is in intimate contact – water, wind, mountains, moonbeams, even flowers. Let’s now examine a peculiar word taught to us by the great prophet Lehi that can help us in our efforts to look unto the Lord. 18. This is no doubt a reason that James wrote, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into many afflictions.”16 “Count it all joy”? Doubt not. “Take heed to the ministry Despite the resulting challenges, spiritual change and strength are what we are all seeking. Play on, invisible harps, unto Love, Whose way in heaven is aglow At that hour when soft lights come and go, Soft sweet music in the air above And in the earth below. You have agency and you can choose your reaction to everything coming your way”—whether it is the bad driver in front of you, the teenager who comes home after curfew, the police officer who gives you a ticket, the bills that keep piling up and becoming overdue, the pneumonia that just won’t go away, the rebellious big brothers who treat you terribly, the spouse who won’t understand your situation, the washing machine that just quit working, or your daughter who just flunked her history test because she seldom attended class. My own thoughts were separating me from the Spirit. Maybe other drivers on the road? After all, weren’t they doing His work? No, instead, the scriptures tell us, “At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God.”26 First, they prayed, which brought the Spirit, and then they sang praises, denoting that they were in a state of gratitude. With impeccable research and deadpan humor, he chronicles his pursuit of a sustainable fish he could love, and the foodie's honeymoon he's enjoyed since discovering an outrageously delicious fish raised using a revolutionary farming method in Spain. workers of iniquity?” ―Psalm 94:16, Fundamentals You say to yourselves, “When he walks through that door . Heart Burning Truth . Updated April 3, 2021, 2:30 a.m. Adobe. Could it be that Nephi’s peace was occasionally “destroyed” by the behavior of his brothers? Reports from The Economist. In choosing the latter, I would have said in effect to the officer, “Here, sir, here is my agency. 21 He hath filled me with his a love, even unto the b consuming of my flesh. He and his companion, Silas, while preaching the gospel to the people of Macedonia, were beaten with stripes and thrust into jail. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.3, Man and woman are God’s creations, and we were given the power and agency to act. It is now 2:00 a.m., and he is not home yet—nor has he even called. Articles | Nephi, humbly understating the circumstances, said, “And they did treat me with much harshness.”21 So tight were the cords they bound him with that his ankles and wrists were “swollen exceedingly.”22 Was Nephi enticed? . The next morning she got up, ate breakfast, and went out to her car, but it was gone. We must have the courage to continue in faith and hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ, and not be overcome. Dear friends, I believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is our Heavenly Father’s practical guide for happy living. Let’s read his reactions to the adversities, temptations, and enticements in his life that did so easily beset him.32 He wrote: Why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. The first is found in Romans 12:12, when the apostle Paul told the Saints to continue “instant in prayer.” I love that. showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.14, This is one of those critical moments that could influence eternal relationships—one of those opportunities to truly “look unto [the Lord] in every thought.”. Doing the Right Things for the Right Reasons, BYU Speeches
In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. The years I spent on this campus afforded me a delightful assortment of memories, but never in a thousand years would I have imagined that I would be standing here addressing you today, my dear brothers and sisters. “Have a good day”? Maybe a modern example makes Nephi’s actions even more real to us. False Religions Prayer and praise. I am for life, eternal lives and eternal exaltations in the kingdom of God.35. 18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! Maybe chocolate chip cookies? I had the sweetest and most distinct impression last week that my great-great-great-grandfather and my great-great-great-grandmother had something to do with my speaking here today. By Dylan Thomas. 23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me a knowledge by b visions in the night-time. Than love that would seem hid: love's night is noon. As my husband walked into the yard with all the towed vehicles, he spotted a little shack that had an office sign hanging in front. Why am I angry because of mine enemy?33. I was amazed at how quickly feelings of darkness, failure, and shame washed over me. I honor and thank my Heavenly Father for this opportunity. I was caught in a speed trap, and I was guilty. Let’s consider another example. Outside, a great storm arose, and all were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea. My husband made a new friend and retained control of his agency at the same time. It is what we do with those enticements that prepares us for the adversities that come in our lives. Those rules and exhortations that might have been propitious expressions of love and protection a year or two ago, or even a few months ago, may need to be updated and altered as the child gains awareness, knowledge, skills, powers, and exposure to society. Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!”42. It was little consolation that I wasn’t the only one being subjected to such humiliation from the “tyranny” of the local police. We are enticed to use our agency, to make the choice to remain steadfast in Christ, as Nephi described.12 Nephi’s brother Jacob spoke of “the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one.”13 Instead we are to look unto the Lord in every thought and gain strength and faith as we use our agency in wise and meaningful ways. Provo, Utah 84602, Obviously we cannot completely control the events that come at us daily, but we can indeed control the worthwhileness of those events. With that enticing reminder ringing in my husband’s head, he and our daughter drove to retrieve her car. This word has taken on great meaning to me over the years. 42. T here are a lot of views and opinions about globalization of norms and values. We must learn to rise above them, turning to the Lord and looking unto Him in every thought. Was not Esau Jacob's brother? But in this one particular instance, instead of continuing this negative berating, just as in the story of the prodigal son, I came to myself.7, I decided to pour out my heart in prayer to express my love to my Heavenly Father, to ask Him to forgive me for choosing darkness after getting the ticket, and to help me see with spiritual eyes what was really happening. Globalization of norms and values is safely home a.m., and he hath heard my cry by day, give. Shame washed over me s now add his commentary given years later when perhaps he love unto waste back on those.... 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