Today (yesterday, really) wasn't any kind of special day...I woke up with a rotten headache and tired from being up so late with a child that didn't want to sleep in her big-girl bed. We hadn't been to church in 2 weeks because of travelling, so I was actually looking forward to being there and feeling the Spirit. Our stake high-councilman spoke to us in Sacrament meeting about Repentance, and it hit home. I'm obviously not perfect, with my share of things to repent about. He spoke about 3 things we can do to make our repentance more meaningful:
1~Sacrifice. Sacrifice the worldly things to make room for the spiritual. (examples: sacrificing time to go visiting teaching, sacrificing 2 meals a month in fasting to help the needy, etc.)
2~Study the Book of Mormon. It's never too late to challenge yourself to read. The Atonement is mentioned numerous times throughout the pages, thru it we can truly understand the Infinite Atonement that was made. (2Ne 9:7)
3~Live each day with remembrance of what the Savior paid for the things we've done and will do. Accept that great debt and lovingly acknowledge what we owe to the Lord. Cleave to the pure. Testify of the Atonement to others.
Some real noteworthy stuff.
In Primary, our theme for this week is: My family and I will be resurrected.
The scripture: Alma 11:43, which reads:
"The spirit and the body shall be reunited again it its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt."
I read this scripture 3 times today during primary, once in our presidency meeting. Once during Sis. Smith's talk, talking about the resurrection brought her to tears and she couldn't get thru the scripture, so I stepped in to read it for her (her husband is in the ICU, unresponsive for over 2 weeks after a stroke). The the 3rd time with a child who was giving the closing scripture and prayer.
Reading 3 times the words, "and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt" with conflicting feelings. A feeling of joy...thinking of standing there, with God, in my perfect form. But also a feeling of sadness, not wanting to have that bright recollection of guilt.
So, for me, Sacrament meeting and Primary merged completely and perfectly together. And I have this feeling in my soul of happiness for these truths that I know and have learned. Repentance is key, just as living a worthy life is key to salvation....emphasis on LIVING, the ACTION.
6 comments:
Very cool that even though you had had a rough night, you were able to get so much out the meetings! I really means alot when that happens for me as well!
I love when I leave church feeling refreshed! It's even better when you walked in feeling rotten. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing! I needed that!
I've always liked the thought that we go to church to be healed and make use of the Atonement as we partake of the Sacrament. I am always so grateful when I leave feeling full and fed instead of just time that was used in a day. Of course for me it usually has a lot to do with the effort I put into the listening and learning parts.
Thanks for the extra encouragement...it's always a good thing to hear things over and over again!
Thanks for this. It made my day.
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