Saturday, April 30, 2011

I'm Trying to Be like Jesus

Jesus is the perfect example. I have learned a lot from the chorus of the song "I am trying to be like Jesus."

"Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought for these are the things Jesus taught."

We are to love one another as Jesus loves others. This means that He sees the best in everyone and cares for them and wants the best for them. "The love the Savior described is an active love. It is not manifested through large and heroic deeds but rather through simple acts of kindness and service." (M. Russell Ballard "Finding Joy through Loving Service" General Conference April 2011). When we truly love someone it is easier to serve them and it becomes easier to keep the commandments. However, sometimes we need to start in reverse, which is that we need to serve them which will help us learn to love them.

The song also talks about our thoughts. I think one of the trials in this life is learning to control your thoughts. When we control our thoughts we control our bodies which control our actions. Our thoughts are the roots of who we are.

As we learn to love other people more we can see their true worth. We can see them in the light that Heavenly Father sees them. In 2 Nephi 26 :30 we are reminded that "the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they have nothing." "God is love" (1 John 4:8), so if we learn to love as he does we can develop the qualities he possesses. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin has said, "Love is the very essence of the gospel of Christ." (General Conference Report Oct 1997).

I know that as we actively seek to develop the virtue of charity we become better people and draw closer to Christ so we can become as He is.

Spiritual Strength through cleansing our lives

First off, it was never my plan to use such a pretentious moniker as you see I'm posting with; however, since our beloved capitán gave me credit for coining our group name, I feel it's only appropriate that I stick with the nickname he created for me...

Anyways, on the topic of spiritual strength, the first thing that came to my mind was one of my favorite quotes by the prophet Joseph Smith: "If I were in the deepest coal-pit of Nova Scotia, and had the Rocky Mountains piled on top of me, I would not be discouraged, and I would come out on top!"

This quote demonstrates all kinds of strength to me and the ability to, as Winston Churchill put it, “never, never, never, give up.” If we are going to reach any destination, spiritual or not, this is an important strength.

I just want to interject a quick and personal side note. This five minute fireside activity has already proved quite beneficial and quite a bit more enjoyable than I anticipated. Thoughts started popping into my head the moment I started reading the assignment for this week's post. Right as I learned it was intended that we include one quote from Joseph Smith, the previous quote I posted popped right into my head. When I learned we needed another quote from a deceased, modern-day prophet, the story I'm going to share in a moment from President Hinckley about being clean popped into my head. The only thing that didn't pop into my head instantly was an O.T. Scripture, probably because I'm the least familiar with that book of scripture. However, once I got the spiritual wheels turning in my head and dove into my morning study to contribute to this blog, I went back to find an O.T. Scripture and the thought “Joshua, Chapter 1, verses 8 and 9” immediately popped into my head. Anyways, that was quite surprising because I had no idea what these scriptures said, so I rushed to look them up and I was quite please to find that they mesh in perfectly with this topic.

Joshua 1:9 - “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the aLord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

We are commanded to be strong, and obey the Lord's law, and in verse 8 we are promised the blessings for our spiritual strength and obedience: “for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Finally, if there is any story, or theme that could tie in perfectly with the topic of spiritual strength, it would be the following story given by Gordon B. Hinckley in the April 2007 Priesthood Session of General Conference. It is a long excerpt, but I wouldn't have posted it if it wasn't worth the read. It gives a stunning example of the power gained in one's life from spiritual strength, and how such spiritual strength is achieved. And as a side note, I'm sad that I'm only able to post the text from his talk because most of the power was felt in hearing this story from his own lips. It was a very powerful talk, but I've never been able to track down a version of it in video...

The following is a story from the life of Joseph F. Smith, in his own words, quoted by President Hinckley:

I was very much oppressed [when I was] on a mission. I was almost naked and entirely friendless, except [for] the friendship of a poor, benighted … people. I felt as if I was so debased in my condition of poverty, lack of intelligence and knowledge, just a boy, that I hardly dared look a … man in the face.

While in that condition I dreamed [one night] that I was on a journey, and I was impressed that I ought to hurry—hurry with all my might, for fear I might be too late. I rushed on my way as fast as I possibly could, and I was only conscious of having just a little bundle, a handkerchief with a small bundle wrapped in it. I did not realize … what it was, when I was hurrying as fast as I could; but finally I came to a wonderful mansion. … I thought I knew that was my destination. As I passed towards it, as fast as I could, I saw a notice [which read B-A-T-H], ‘Bath.’ I turned aside quickly and went into the bath and washed myself clean. I opened up this little bundle that I had, and there was [some] white, clean [clothing], a thing I had not seen for a long time, because the people I was with did not think very much of making things exceedingly clean. But my [clothing was] clean, and I put [it] on. Then I rushed to what appeared to be a great opening, or door. I knocked and the door opened, and the man who stood there was the Prophet Joseph Smith. He looked at me a little reprovingly, and the first words he said: ‘Joseph, you are late.’ Yet I took confidence and [replied]:

“‘Yes, but I am clean—I am clean!’

He clasped my hand and drew me in, then closed the great door. I felt his hand just as tangible as I ever felt the hand of man. I knew him, and when I entered I saw my father, and Brigham [Young] and Heber [C. Kimball], and Willard [Richards], and other good men that I had known, standing in a row. I looked as if it were across this valley, and it seemed to be filled with a vast multitude of people, but on the stage were all the people that I had known. My mother was there, and she sat with a child in her lap; and I could name over as many as I remember of their names, who sat there, who seemed to be among the chosen, among the exalted. …

[When I had this dream,] I was alone on a mat, away up in the mountains of Hawaii—no one was with me. But in this vision I pressed my hand up against the Prophet, and I saw a smile cross his countenance. …

When I awoke that morning I was a man, although only [still] a boy. There was not anything in the world that I feared [after that]. I could meet any man or woman or child and look them in the face, feeling in my soul that I was a man every whit. That vision, that manifestation and witness that I enjoyed at that time has made me what I am, if I am anything that is good, or clean, or upright before the Lord, if there is anything good in me. That has helped me out in every trial and through every difficulty” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 542–43).”

May we each do our best to be clean and obtain spiritual strength in our own lives.

Michael

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

In the Service of the Savior


In the song I’m Trying to Be like Jesus I specifically love the line in the second verse-

I’m trying to love my neighbor; I’m learning to serve my friends.” (Children's Song, #78)

The love that Christ has for each of us is ever present in the love others show us and the love we show through service of our own. In “trying to be like Jesus” we help to accomplish and further his work.

In the June 2010 Ensign Alison Palmer wrote,

 “Accepting service and giving service back lightens our own load, and, in turn, lifts those who serve us. Everyone is blessed as we strive to listen to the Spirit and do things as the Lord would have us do them.” ("Accepting and Giving Service," Ensign, June 2010)

Letting people serve you gives them the chance to be Christ-like, if we do not allow others to help us, we are depriving them of the opportunity to be a tool in the hands of the Savior and we are not giving ourselves the chance to humbly acknowledge the hand of the Lord expressed through the love of others. 

To further address this, M. Russell Ballard says, 

"It is only when we love God and Christ with all of our hearts, souls, and minds that we are able to share this love with our neighbors through acts of kindness and service—the way that the Savior would love and serve all of us if He were among us today.
When this pure love of Christ—or charity—envelops us, we think, feel, and act more like Heavenly Father and Jesus would think, feel, and act. Our motivation and heartfelt desire are like unto that of the Savior. He shared this desire with His Apostles on the eve of His Crucifixion. He said:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you. …
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34–35).
The love the Savior described is an active love. It is not manifested through large and heroic deeds but rather through simple acts of kindness and service.
There are myriad ways and circumstances in which we can serve and love others." (Finding Joy through Loving Service, April 2011 General Conference)
As I read and studied this song I was eager to serve. I wanted to be as “like Jesus” as possible by serving. But, due an accident I've recently been in, I am now extremely limited in my capacity to help even myself, let alone anyone else. So, in an attempt to do all that I can, I have been observing and doing my best to show gratitude for those around me that are striving to “be like Jesus.”  I have watched numerous doors be opened without a second thought and seen a touching eagerness to help in my new roommates. Just this morning one of them graciously helped me pull back my hair. It is humbling to have to accept help for a task you have, in the past, so easily done for yourself. It creates an appreciation for what you have, had and what is currently being given to you. In developing an appreciation for the things you have you draw closer to the Lord, expanding your ability to feel the spirit and, in turn, recognize how to better serve. What a beautiful circle of Christ-like love.


We must follow in the footsteps of the Savoir; we must learn of him, understand him and use his atonement in our daily lives. The closer we draw to Christ, the more we spend time with him, the greater his influence in our lives will be. Like living with roommates and family members, we pick up the habits- good and bad- of those with whom we spend the most time. If we diligently surround ourselves with the things of the Savior, we will slowly but surely develop his habits- serving more effectively, teaching and learning better, and loving deeper. 
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.”(Mosiah 7:48)
 I have heard my whole life that “you love those you serve” but it is only until recently that I have come to realize that if you acknowledge with gratitude the service being given, you love those who serve you. How then, can our hearts not be constantly filled with love for the Savior?

Elisabeth

Becometh As A Child



"At the same time came the disciples into Jesus saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

"And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is in greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:1-4)

These words the Savior spoke to His disciples in the midst of His earthy sojourn. In the aftermath of the destruction in the Americas following His crucifixion, Jesus Christ taught:

"Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh into me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God.” (3 Nephi 9:22)

What does it mean to become as a little child, why are children the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and how are we to become like children that we, too, may inherit the kingdom of God? The Book of Mormon prophet King Benjamin taught:

“For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been since the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)

We learn from King Benjamin that in order to become as a child, we must follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit and put off the natural man. We must try to be like Jesus and do the things that we have seen Him do (see 3 Nephi 18:24; 27:21). Children are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven because they are so precious an innocent. They are not so jaded by the world and are quicker to show love. They are closer to their Father in Heaven, trusting, humble, submissive, and possess each of the Christlike attributes that we must develop as we are trying to be like Jesus. Children are greatest in the kingdom of heaven because they are pure.

But how do we become as little children with all of our day-to-day stressors, how do we simply trust God when His teachings so often conflict with the teachings of the world, and how do we persist during those times in which we are tempted to make a wrong choice? As we are trying to be like Jesus and follow in His ways, how can we know that we are being successful in putting off the natural man even though we may not see immediate, measurable improvement?

In answer to these concerns, President Henry B. Eyring counseled:

"For all of us it may be hard to see in our lives an increasing power to love and to see ourselves becoming more like the Savior, our perfect example. I wish to encourage you. You have had evidences that you are moving along the road to becoming more like Jesus. It will help to remember how you have felt, at times, like a little child, even in the midst of cares and trials.... Think of the times you felt, perhaps recently, as those little children did singing, 'I’m trying to be like Jesus; I’m following in his ways.'... You have felt the peace of a pure little child at times when you have tried to be like Jesus.

“I hope you will go out today looking for opportunities to do as He did and to love as He loves. I can promise you the peace that you felt as a child will come to you often and it will linger with you." (“Our Perfect Example,” Ensign, Nov 2009)

We can have the assurance that we are on the pathway to becoming like the Savior as we try to love our neighbors and learn to serve our friends. Remember that all are our neighbors and all are children of our Heavenly Father. The key to becoming as a little child lies in the chorus to the Primary song quoted by President Eyring:

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”


Friends, try to remember the lessons taught by the Savior. Serve others, be kind, lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. When the path of discipleship, the road to eternal life, gets difficult, remember the day of gladness when Jesus will come again. Lose yourself in the service of others. All will be made right through His Atonement. As we try to be like Jesus, we will all receive the blessings of leading a Christlike and childlike life.

Jeremy