Christ Commands

This characteristic of Christ jumped out at me as I read about Samuel the Lamanite in the book of Helaman.

Even after being cast out of the city, the Lord commands him to go back. He was obedient to that commandment: return to Zarahemla and "prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into [your] heart" (Helaman 13:3). 

Christ commanded, and he obeyed.

As I thought about this more, I realized that Christ commands us to do things for various reasons.

- To fulfill/further His work

- To help us be happy
- To help others
- Through the Spirit to answer the prayers of others

. . . And many more . . .

Christ commands us to do many things, but I believe two of the biggest things He commands us to do is to 1) Remember Him, and 2) Love Him.

It really is that simple.

And something I have come to realize is that when we do what He commands us to do, He always blesses us. The commandments are there for a reason--when we keep them, we truly lead happier and better lives because of it. To some they look restricting, but Christ really does guide us to stay within certain boundaries so that we can be free and truly happy in the end.

"I have always found that when we do the little things correctly, the Lord gives us the strength to accomplish big things... You might not always understand the reasons for some rules or commandments, but if you will follow them even in the little things you will have more strength to do big things... And you will have the great blessing of knowing that you are on the Lord's side and that He is on yours." (Donald L. Hallstrom)

Strength comes when we are obedient to the commandments He gives us.

Christ commands, but He knows that if we do what He asks of us, we will be happy in the end.

Christ Blesses

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ blesses us.

In Helaman, Nephi is left alone and he ponders. As he is pondering, the Lord blesses Nephi with a revelation. I believe this revelation came because he took the time to ponder and draw closer to God by doing so.

The Lord tells Nephi,
"I will bless thee forever." (Helaman 10:5)

It is just previous to this that Nephi and Lehi have been preaching to the wicked Nephites. The following verses are an extension of the verse quoted above. 

I love this evidence that the Lord blesses Nephi because of his faith and diligence in preaching the word of God. As we liken this to our own lives, I know that when we are faithful to the Lord and do what He asks us to, He will bless every time.
Just a few pages over, in Helaman 12:1 it states,
"And thus we can behold how false and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yeah, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him."


It is amazing that in the times of prosperity, it becomes the easiest to forget the Lord. It becomes so easy to forget the Source of all of our blessings.

The following verses are words spoken to Nephi about his diligence in preaching the word of God.

4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

Trust in the Lord results in blessings from Him.

The following verse go on to say,

2 Yeah, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people . . . sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies . . . doing all things for the welfare of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One...
(emphasis added)

Each one of those adjectives describes a blessing from the Lord. Sparing. Delivering. Softening. Doing ALL things for their welfare . . .

I find it amazing that when the Lord blesses us, it becomes so easy to forget Him. It becomes so easy to forget from Whom all of our blessings have come from. Something remarkable is that the Lord still does not fail to bless us. Even if He knows we will forget Him, He still blesses us. 

I know personally that I have been countlessly blessed by both my Father in Heaven and Savior. I feel so unworthy of the bounteous blessings which have so graciously been bestowed on me. I am in awe of mercy of my Savior and my Father despite all of the times I fall and fail and forget each of Them over and over and over again. Each of Them continues to bless me over and over and over and over again even though I have weaknesses and shortcomings. I know without a doubt as I strive to become a little bit better each day, my Father in Heaven and my Savior will continue to bless me and help me throughout this mortal life.

One thing I do know for sure. Christ blesses. And He is the greatest blessing of all.

Christ Redeems

Jesus Christ is the Redeemer.

He was sent to redeem us all.

Helaman 5: 9 - 11 states this clearly:

"There is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world."

" . . .  [T]he Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins." (emphasis added)

"And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls."

It is only through the name of Jesus Christ that we are able to be saved. It is only through the infinite debt He paid that we are able to be forgiven of our sins.

"Thank and glorify His Beloved Son, who, with indescribable suffering, gave His life on Calvary's cross to pay the debt of mortal sin. He it was who, through His atoning sacrifice, broke the bonds of death and with godly power rose triumphant from the tomb. He is our Redeemer, the Redeemer of all mankind. He is the Savior of the world. He is the Son of God, the Author of our salvation." (Gordon B. Hinckley)

To redeem means to:
* gain or regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment
* save (someone) from sin, error, or evil
* (of a person) atone or make amends for (error or evil)

Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, the Redeemer of all mankind.

Through Jesus Christ, we are redeemed. It is only through Him as our Redeemer that He has regained possession of us. Because we are redeemed, we are His. Because He has redeemed us, we are able to return to live with Him and our Father again one day.

How grateful I am for a God who has atoned for me and my sins. In my sins and weaknesses, he has redeemed me.

Because I am redeemed, I am forever His.

Christ Promises

It is amazing to me how many of Christ's glorious attributes are clearly demonstrated through the scriptures.

As I was studying today, I came across another thing that Christ does.

He promises.

This became apparent to me when I cam across two very powerful verses.

Helaman 3:29-30 states,

29 Yeah, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked--

30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.

These verses in the Book of Mormon demonstrate that Christ really does promise. He promises that if we will lay hold upon the word of God, His words, we will be able to make it back to live with Him and our Father in Heaven again at the end of this life.

What a beautiful promise that is. I know this life is only a temporary state and I can't wait to get back Home.

In my Mission Prep manual, I came across a passage that I felt perfectly fits with this.

“Success in righteousness, the power to avoid deception and resist temptation, guidance in our daily lives, healing of the soul—these are but a few of the promises the Lord has given to those who will come to His word. Does the Lord promise and not fulfill? Surely if He tells us that these things will come to us if we lay hold upon His word, then the blessings can be ours. And if we do not, then the blessings may be lost. However diligent we may be in other areas, certain blessings are to be found only in the scriptures, only in coming to the word of the Lord and holding fast to it as we make our way through the mists of darkness to the tree of life . . . I urge you to recommit yourselves to a study of the scriptures. Immerse yourselves in them daily so you will have the power of the Spirit to attend you in your callings” (“The Power of the Word,” Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986, 82).

Yet another beautiful promise.

I personally know that Christ does indeed promise. He promises better things ahead. He promises that healing is possible. He promises that hope is just around the corner. He promises that blessings come because of faithfulness. He promises to perform miracles--not always in the way we would expect Him to. He promises that as we come to Him, the Bread of Life, we will never hunger. He promises as we come to Him, the Living Water, we will never thirst. He promises as we come to Him, the Light of the World, we will never walk in darkness. He promises we will never be alone. He promises He will be with us because He has written our names on the palms of His hands. He promises we will never be alone.

Christ promises. And He will never break those promises.

Come Unto Christ

Do you ever think about the Savior? Really, truly, think about Him? I hope you do.

I strive to always remember Him, and how amazing and wonderful and incredible He is. I strive to remember how He has blessed me, and all of the miracles He has performed in my life. And how I hope to be just like Him one day. 

But lately I have been thinking about Him in a different light than I have before. 

I've been thinking about what He does.
I think a lot about what He did, and what He has done for me.
Miraculous, truly miraculous things, and I am forever grateful.

But then I asked myself, "What does Christ do?"

It seems like a very simple question with a simple answer, but there's more to it than the eye can see.

The list of things He does could go on forever. But as I thought about it, I came up with this list:

Christ . . .

| Loves | Heals | Forgives | Saves | Restores | Helps | Rescues | Feeds | Comforts | Walks with you | Listens | Answers | Strengthens | Provides Peace | Performs Miracles | Liberates | Carries | Blesses | Speaks | Prays | Is Constant | Humbles | Captains | Commands | Repeats | Gives Light | Strengthens | Anoints | Sanctifies | Aids | Helps | Serves | Consecrates | Creates | Leads | Delivers | Upholds | Provides Hope | Rejoices | Anchors | Authors | Bestows Grace | Redeems | Calls | Chooses | Ministers | Shepherds | Covers | Reaches | Never Ends | Grants Gifts | Edifies | Encompasses | Cleanses | Weeps | Knows | Shows | Tries | Tests | Shines | Reigns | Teaches | Perfects |

I am in awe of the endless qualities of my Savior, and know this list is just a glimpse towards the glorious being He is.

It is for this reason that I have chosen to embark on a journey. A journey that will help me draw closer to Christ. A journey which will strengthen my relationship with Him and help me to come to know Him better.

This journey will be centered around His words in the Book of Mormon.

I love this book with all of my heart. I know that the main purpose of this book is found in the 32nd verse of the 10th chapter in Moroni.

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."

Come Unto Christ. This book is all about this simple invitation. Come, and be perfected in Him. Perfection is a process, and we come to know Him and become like Him through this process.

As a former sister missionary once said, "You don't need to be perfect, just perfecting."

And this perfecting process is exactly what I hope to more fully embark in.

For the next six weeks, I will post a couple of times each week. Each post will be centered around a characteristic of Christ I have come to find in the Book of Mormon. Examples will be provided, verses, quotes from general authorities, and some of my own thoughts.

I invite you to join with me in more fully accepting and investing in this invitation:

Come Unto Christ.

PC: http://jesuschrist.lds.org/bc/content/New%20Home%20Page%20Images/Final/savior-soft_edges.png

He is the Gift

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love everything about it: the snow, the twinkling lights, the hot chocolate, the coats and boots and scarves, the time spent with family and friends. This season truly is a beautiful one.

But, despite all of these things bringing excitement to the season, they aren't the real reason for it.

He is.

He, the Savior of the World.

He, the Son of the Living God.

He, my Redeemer, my Savior, my Friend.

He is the Reason for this Season.

He is the Gift. The first and greatest gift ever to be given.

He is the Gift. A gift straight from heaven. A gift given to all mankind to save them. A gift given to save even a sinner like me.

A gift given to give hope, to save, to redeem.

The greatest act of love ever seen in the world's history.

A gift that came to earth in the most humble of circumstances. A King who came to the earth not draped in velvet robes, but One who came and was wrapped in swaddling clothes. A King who deserved a palace, trumpets, and the finest bed--but instead was born in a stable, surrounded by barn animals, and a manger for a cradle.

 It was so clear when the wise men arrived
And the angels were singing your name
That the world would be different 'cause you were alive
That's why heaven stood still to proclaim

 

And of all of the wonderful gifts he could bring

Who would imagine a king?

{"Who Would Imagine A King"}

 

An infant, lowly and holy. Born is my King.

Christ the babe, the Lord of all, was born for you.

It is difficult to describe in words how grateful I am for my Savior. He has done so much for me--so much that I could never repay Him for. I love Him with all my heart. He has walked with me during the darkest and most difficult times of my life, and has helped me to recognize His hand when all was going right. He performed a miracle in my life by sparing it. How humbled I am to be a witness of His love and His grace. How humbled I am to have been given a second chance at life--another chance to serve and love Him more fully. I am eternally grateful for His infinite Atonement. I am so grateful for the second, third, fourth--however many it takes, for me to get it right. I know that His gospel is a gospel of not perfection, but progression and perfecting. And I am incredibly grateful for His infinite patience and mercy as I struggle to become better and more like Him. I hope to emulate His light and life in all that I do. I hope to bring His light, His love, and His mercy to my fellow brothers and sisters so they can feel of the life-changing power that comes from His infinite Atonement.

I love Him: my Savior, my Redeemer, my Restorer, my Liberator, my Comforter, my Shepherd, the Prince of Peace.

He is my Savior and has saved me. I am Redeemed because of Him.

May we remember that He was the first gift, the most merciful and glorious gift given to us.

Merry Christmas,

Brianna

Prone to Wander...

I have been wandering. I have been drifting. I have been distancing myself from the Heavenly Beings I so desperately need to remain close to.

I was gently reminded of how far I really have been drifting. And immediately the words of a hymn were the words which described me perfectly:

"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love."

I am prone to wander. I have wandered. And I have become proud. But I have been humbled, for I realized that I could not go on like this. I need to change. I need to change today, right now, and decide to draw closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior, not drift away from Them.

What a blessing it is to have the enabling power of the Atonement who gives an imperfect being, like myself, the chance, the privilege, the ability to participate in miracles such as repentance, forgiveness, and change.

Change. Change is hard--even painful. This wandering, this drifting, is painful. And sometimes we don't realize the pain it has caused our souls until we realize we have inflicted it upon ourselves. But at the same time, wandering teaches you. Pain teaches you. Trials teach you. All of these things help you become molded into the glorious, eternal being that Heavenly Father knows you have the potential to become.

If you think you have wandered, it's never too late to come back to His arms. He is there, waiting with arms wide open. Always.

"Take my heart, oh, take and seal it... Seal it for Thy courts above."

Brianna

Sometimes it hurts to grow

Life. Life is so different now than it was even just a few short months ago. I've changed.

The people around my have changed. My perspective has changed. My love for others has changed.

My appreciation for education has changed. My love for life has changed. My independence has changed.

My testimony has changed.

I am learning. I am stretching. I am growing. I am hurting. I am healing. I am missing.

I am lonely. I am loving. I am happy.

I am so many things at this moment in time. My eyes have been opened and my heart has been softened.

I have been proud, I have been humbled.

I fall short every single day, and yet through the grace of my loving Savior, He picks me up and says, "It's okay. I know you're trying your best. Tomorrow is another day, and I promise we will get through it together."

I am learning new things about myself every single day. And it's hard.

But at the same time, I know it will be worth it.

It will all be worth it.

Every single experience I am going through is preparing me for something else. I know I am precisely on the path my Father in Heaven needs me to be on. I am exactly where He needs me. And I wouldn't have it any other way. . .

. . . even though sometimes it hurts to grow.