Ether 3
Ether 3
What an amazing experience, to see the Lord face to face and talk with Him. I thought it interesting that the brother of Jared wasn't 100% righteous, but his faith was strong. The brother of Jared saw the Savior because of that faith- not because he was so righteous and didn't make mistakes.
I think sometimes we look at our mistakes and think they define us. True, as we become more like our Savior, we make better choices on the whole, but we will never be perfect in this life. But- we can have amazing faith, even when we are imperfect. In fact, it's because we are imperfect that we need to have faith, for that's the only way we can use the power of the Atonement in our lives.
I thought is was interested that the Savior said he had never shown Himself unto man like that before. He did when Adam and Eve were in the Garden, but not after they were cast out. But, the brother of Jared lived after Noah. I guess I always kinda thought that Noah has seen the Lord, but here it says he didn't. That makes me admire Noah even more, that he had the faith to follow the Lord without seeing Him face to face.
Again, it comes back to faith.
What an amazing experience, to see the Lord face to face and talk with Him. I thought it interesting that the brother of Jared wasn't 100% righteous, but his faith was strong. The brother of Jared saw the Savior because of that faith- not because he was so righteous and didn't make mistakes.
I think sometimes we look at our mistakes and think they define us. True, as we become more like our Savior, we make better choices on the whole, but we will never be perfect in this life. But- we can have amazing faith, even when we are imperfect. In fact, it's because we are imperfect that we need to have faith, for that's the only way we can use the power of the Atonement in our lives.
I thought is was interested that the Savior said he had never shown Himself unto man like that before. He did when Adam and Eve were in the Garden, but not after they were cast out. But, the brother of Jared lived after Noah. I guess I always kinda thought that Noah has seen the Lord, but here it says he didn't. That makes me admire Noah even more, that he had the faith to follow the Lord without seeing Him face to face.
Again, it comes back to faith.
I think our church is way too obsessive about the whole idea of "perfection". We talk about it way too much. If we talked about Christ every time we talked about perfection, we would be in a much better spot emotional. Christ shows us our weakness so we may know that it is by his grace we are saved.
ReplyDeleteAnd when I say church, I mean the members, not necessarily the leadership.
DeleteI think you have a point, Ben. But, our goal is to become perfect - eventually. People can be put off by that word/goal because they don't understand what perfect means. Perfect means whole..complete. With that definition in mind, we can have moments of perfection here and now, as we apply the Atonement on our lives. The Savior makes us whole. Then, we make mistakes and repentant again, etc, etc. It's actually a hopeful word, and it's what we should strive for every day. People think that being perfect means you have your food storage done, you can food, you are out of debt, you never make mistakes, etc. That's simply not true. Perfection isn't being sinless or faultless. It can't be measured in worldly belongings. Perfection is your relationship with Christ, and your willingness and work to apply the Atonement into your lives.
DeleteLately my mistakes are the only way I can find to define myself. I can't forget the things I have done and said; all the people I have driven away and all the harm I have brought upon myself. I wish I had faith. I lost it with every bad choice I have made and I can't seem to get it back. Not even a little bit. I'm lost. I'm sorry for filling your comment section with my sob story. You don't know me, but thank you for the insights you share on here... It is helping me in my attempts to study the book of mormon.
ReplyDeleteHi Amber. Welcome to my blog! First of all- don't apologize about writing here. This blog is open to everything who is searching and studying.
DeleteI hope you take a moment to read my reply to Ben above- it pertains a little bit to what you are feeling.
I understand from what you've read that you are hurting, and that you haven't made the best choices in the past. In that respect, you and I are a lot alike.
You mentioned you wished you had faith. Did you know that my simply wishing you had faith, you actually have hope? And hope is the beginning of faith? So, you are getting it back- you just haven't realized it yet :) The fact that you are studying the Book of Mormon, and commenting here, are both acts of faith. Faith doesn't mean that you have a total knowledge of something. Faith means that you act in accordance with what you choose - or hope- you believe is true.
Enos verse 6 is one of my most favorite verses in all scriptures.
Here is a man who had been taught by his father, Jacob, and his uncle, Nephi, and perhaps even his grandpa Lehi. I take it that he hadn't always made the best choices, and he wrestled with them. He hungered for forgiveness.
Enos knew what his father taught was true. That is why his pain was so deep. He did not hunger for truth, but for a remission of the heavy burden of sin (verse 2). He wanted the sweetness of forgiveness so badly that he prayed for hours and hours to get it.
Finally, he did, with a simple statement by the Lord in verse 5: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
You are beating yourself up - not letting things go. It seems you forgive yourself. And it's causing you pain. That's not what Heavenly Father wants for you. He wants you to bring your sins and burdens to the Savior, so you can find relief.
This is why I love verse 6 so much. The Lord tells Enos he is forgiven and this was Enos's response: And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie, wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
How beautiful, to have such trust in the Lord, and to have such a love for Him, and for oneself, that he could let his guilt go. I think Enos set a perfect example of the price of repentance, and what forgiveness really means.
You are weighed down with a heavy burden, Amber. Do what you can to begin to apply the Atonement into your life: See the bishop if you need to, make amends if you can. But start now.
Another favorite verse of mine is Alma 34:31: ...now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, IMMEDIATELY shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you."
I LOVE THAT! That means you don't have to wait. Start now, get on your knees, pray, keep reading the scriptures, breathing in and out. Allow yourself the peace of forgiveness.
We cannot go back and change the past. But, we - you- have the power to direct your future. Do not hold your future hostage to the old you. That would be a tragedy.
One of favorite sayings is, "The guy at the bottom of the stairs looking up is in a better position that the guy at the top of the stairs looking down."
It seems that you feel you are at the very bottom of the stairs, and you are hopeless and distraught. You may be at the bottom of the stairs, but what matters most is the direction you are looking. If you are looking up, which way will you head when you take then next stet? Up! And guess what? You are looking ahead. You are reading the scriptures, reaching out, pondering and having hope. All of these things are wonderful!
I hope you come away from reading this feeling a little better about things. The adversary would have you believe that it is hopeless. And there is nothing farther from the truth. You can let go, you can heal, and you can be forgiven. It might be a difficult road- but it is oh so achievable!
You can do it. You are worth it. Strengthen the faith you already have, keep looking up, and walk up those stairs. A greater joy than you've ever know is waiting.
It is amazing how words can be so encouraging. Sometimes having someone remind you of the "hope shining brightly before us" really can make a difference. Thank you for taking the time to share the things you have. I look forward to studying the Book of Mormon and using your blog as a study guide.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you saw my comment! I wasn't sure if you'd get some sort of email or notice or something, or if you just checked back in. Either way, I'm glad you were encouraged. :) And I'm also glad you'll be studying with me from now on. I love to hear the words of others as well :)
Delete