I love this talk- given in 1971 by Elder Sterling W Sill titled "THOU SHALT NOT"
1971 was a long time ago- but still these words touch me! I first read this talk when I was studying the Ten Commandments. I wanted to know how these commandments fit into my life- or even if they were relevant for today. My study was extensive- and I learned so much- and I can tell you that YES! these commandments are very relevant and very necessary for today.
In a nutshell- Elder Sill states this:
If you were contemplating starting a new business, one of the first steps to be taken would be to decide definitely on those things that should NOT be done under any circumstance. There are certain dishonest and improper practices that should be definitely and permanently ruled out of bounds- in advance. The same would be true in a marriage- there are dis-loyalties and infidelities that must never be entertained.
"WHEN ONE HAS DEFINITELY ELIMINATED THOSE THINGS HE WILL NOT DO, THEN HE CAN CONCENTRATE ALL OF HIS TIME AND ENERGY ON THE THINGS HE SHOULD DO"
There was once a minister on a radio show who stated that he never spoke of the Ten Commandments- one reason being that they were dated. The other reason he mentions is that the language is too harsh. He suggests that maybe God would have better luck with his children if he did not command- but maybe if he used kinder language such as I suggest, or I recommend or I advise you to follow these commandments.
I, for one, disagree with Mr. Minister.
These 67 words can be read in 30 seconds or less- yet IF they were followed, they would quickly transform our earth into Gods paradise.
1)Thou shalt have no other gods before me
2)Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images
3)Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
4)Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
5)Honour thy father and thy mother
6)Thou shalt not kill
7)Thou shalt not commit adultery
8)thou shalt not steal
9)Thou shalt not bear false witness
10) Thou shalt not covet
These are the things that God has placed "out of bounds" and frequent visits with these words will help keep us on the path the He has paved for us!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Mosiah 1:5
...."were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief".....
Isn't it incredible that we have these words to guide us?
I read a quote last week on facebook that I just cant get out of my head.
"What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things that you were grateful for today?"
This has me re-evaluating gratitude. If I woke up tomorrow with what I am grateful for today I would have the scriptures. I am grateful for many things in my life- as we all are- but to know that these words have been preserved by my Father- so that I can learn, so I can understand, so I can have the commandments before me always- that is pretty awesome!
Isn't it incredible that we have these words to guide us?
I read a quote last week on facebook that I just cant get out of my head.
"What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things that you were grateful for today?"
This has me re-evaluating gratitude. If I woke up tomorrow with what I am grateful for today I would have the scriptures. I am grateful for many things in my life- as we all are- but to know that these words have been preserved by my Father- so that I can learn, so I can understand, so I can have the commandments before me always- that is pretty awesome!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Hebrew 5:8-9
"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him."
My chosen word "atonement" has had me studying and learning and, yes, I admit- crying more often than normal. I cannot place into words the reasons that this word "atonement" sets me into tears- but, why not? Jesus Christ, my brother, did something for me that I could not do for myself. He suffered for me so that he could, in turn, advocate for me. He paid a price for me and my happiness that no person I know would be willing to pay. He LOVES me! It is amazing and beautiful and absolutely more than I can fully comprehend!
As I studied I became fascinated with the idea of OBEDIENCE. We have all heard the song "By strict obedience Jesus won."
And I actually took a little turn in my testimony- thinking that Christ was simply being obedient to His Father- and somehow that equaled atonement for me. Sometimes I am an idiot!
The laws were in place from the beginning- Sure Christ was aware of those laws and of the need for a redeemer- He absolutely knew that we were dependent upon his desire to be obedient.
He was not forced to apply himself, he was not in anyway forced to "do his fathers will."
He chose to be obedient.
He CHOSE IT!
And in turn, that application of pure obedience on his end led to a great deal of suffering- unimaginable for you and I- yet he stuck to it and finally when the battle was won he didn't jump up and down and shout "I DID ID!" He kindly and thoughtfully said "I did this for you, I hope you will accept this gift!"
I love this man! I will forever and ever feel grateful for the atonement!
My chosen word "atonement" has had me studying and learning and, yes, I admit- crying more often than normal. I cannot place into words the reasons that this word "atonement" sets me into tears- but, why not? Jesus Christ, my brother, did something for me that I could not do for myself. He suffered for me so that he could, in turn, advocate for me. He paid a price for me and my happiness that no person I know would be willing to pay. He LOVES me! It is amazing and beautiful and absolutely more than I can fully comprehend!
As I studied I became fascinated with the idea of OBEDIENCE. We have all heard the song "By strict obedience Jesus won."
And I actually took a little turn in my testimony- thinking that Christ was simply being obedient to His Father- and somehow that equaled atonement for me. Sometimes I am an idiot!
The laws were in place from the beginning- Sure Christ was aware of those laws and of the need for a redeemer- He absolutely knew that we were dependent upon his desire to be obedient.
He was not forced to apply himself, he was not in anyway forced to "do his fathers will."
He chose to be obedient.
He CHOSE IT!
And in turn, that application of pure obedience on his end led to a great deal of suffering- unimaginable for you and I- yet he stuck to it and finally when the battle was won he didn't jump up and down and shout "I DID ID!" He kindly and thoughtfully said "I did this for you, I hope you will accept this gift!"
I love this man! I will forever and ever feel grateful for the atonement!
Monday, October 3, 2011
D&C 76:40-42
"And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, of which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us- That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; That through him all might be saved...."
The week before conference I began my scripture study of the atonement. The General Women's Conference came and added to my thoughts on the atonement- and then the week flew by. I have struggled to find the time that I want to spend studying this. General Conference also added to my desire to truly understand the atonement.
This is a word that I will study for at least a few more weeks- there is so much to learn!
The word ATONE means to ransom, repair, to satisfy, to reconcile, redeem.
My poor brain. It must define everything- so I begin with ransom.
A ransom is the release of a person in return of payment. I have heard and sang those beautiful words- "That so fully He ransoms me" and I have always thought of this as a payment, a gift really, that Christ gave to me through the atoning sacrifice- but I had not yet placed myself in that as the person being ransomed, the person being released-
Christ freed me!
He released me of sin.
Of course there are steps that I must take to receive the full blessings of that ransom, but that is a small price to pay in comparison to the price that Christ paid for me.
As I study I read many articles that help me to understand the "word" that I am studying. The following I share with you from Elder Kikuchi:
"Imagine, in the center of the universe, our loving and kind Heavenly Father must have wiped His holy tears. Imagine the great gratitude of the Father for His Son’s willingness to give Himself for all of the Father’s children. The Father could have sent multitudes of the hosts of heaven to rescue His Son from that awful situation. But our Father must have closed His eyes in those final moments in order that you and I and other sons and daughters could have hope."
December 2009 New Era "Do We Know How Much He Went Through?"
The week before conference I began my scripture study of the atonement. The General Women's Conference came and added to my thoughts on the atonement- and then the week flew by. I have struggled to find the time that I want to spend studying this. General Conference also added to my desire to truly understand the atonement.
This is a word that I will study for at least a few more weeks- there is so much to learn!
The word ATONE means to ransom, repair, to satisfy, to reconcile, redeem.
My poor brain. It must define everything- so I begin with ransom.
A ransom is the release of a person in return of payment. I have heard and sang those beautiful words- "That so fully He ransoms me" and I have always thought of this as a payment, a gift really, that Christ gave to me through the atoning sacrifice- but I had not yet placed myself in that as the person being ransomed, the person being released-
Christ freed me!
He released me of sin.
Of course there are steps that I must take to receive the full blessings of that ransom, but that is a small price to pay in comparison to the price that Christ paid for me.
As I study I read many articles that help me to understand the "word" that I am studying. The following I share with you from Elder Kikuchi:
"Imagine, in the center of the universe, our loving and kind Heavenly Father must have wiped His holy tears. Imagine the great gratitude of the Father for His Son’s willingness to give Himself for all of the Father’s children. The Father could have sent multitudes of the hosts of heaven to rescue His Son from that awful situation. But our Father must have closed His eyes in those final moments in order that you and I and other sons and daughters could have hope."
December 2009 New Era "Do We Know How Much He Went Through?"
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