Latter Day Mormon: Blessings

November 19, 2009

Blessings

The Gospel of Jesus Christ Blesses Families and Individuals.

   I thought it to be appropriate to start off my blog by discussing the blessings that come from god to all mankind. As many of you know, Mormons don't have the corner on blessings. Every Individual on this earth is son or daughter of a loving heavenly father. He wants what is best for each of us. The ultimate blessing was the coming of christ to the earth. He suffered for all mankind. He provided a path to return to God. It is only through Christ that anyone can live with God again.

     If we open our eyes to realize what a blessing from god is, then we can begin to count our blessings daily. Something may seem to have happened scientifically, but who made the science that brought about a blessing from God. A child may be healed from a deadly illness because of a doctor’s expertise. A house might be warmed by a heating device. Whatever it is, it can be linked to God. It was God who provided the Enlightenment needed to bring good to all mankind. What we may look at as man-made, is really provided by God. We are all the tools of God for him to bring blessings to others. I often ask myself if I am allowing God to use me as his tool. Am I doing my best? What can I do to be an even better tool? Am I gaining the highest education I can personally achieve? Am I searching the scriptures and seeking for gods will in my life? Do I know what god wants me to do?

     We can't know the answer to each of these questions all at once. It’s a life-long process, but we can be a blessing to someone today. And we can acknowledge blessings that come from God in everyday life.

     My blessing of the day is that I was blessed with understanding to understand a concept I learned in school. God has provided a way for me to obtain knowledge. How great God is.

     This blog entry was just a basic introduction. I hope to delve into the scriptures and share insight that may help in the world we live in today. I hope those who read this find something that applies to them, that can inspire each of us to be a little better every day.

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Quotes

For God So Loved the World

“There is no greater evidence of the infinite power and perfection of God’s love than is declared by the Apostle John: ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son’ (John 3:16). Another Apostle wrote that God ‘spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all’ (Romans 8:32). Think how it must have grieved our Heavenly Father to send His Son to endure incomprehensible suffering for our sins. That is the greatest evidence of His love for each of us!”

Dallin H. Oaks, “Love and Law,” Ensign, Nov., 2009, 26

The Light of the Atonement

"[Jesus Christ] is the Light of the Atonement fulfilled in the Garden of Gethsemane and on Golgotha, who took upon Himself the sins of the world, that all mankind may obtain eternal salvation. He is the Light of the empty tomb. . . . He is my Light, my Redeemer, my Savior--and yours."

Robert D. Hales, "Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light," Ensign, May 2002, 71–72

Topics: Atonement

Learning by Personal Experience

“It is clear that for us to have [God’s] gift [of eternal life] and to be given [the] trust [of our Heavenly Father], we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do. We are prepared for so great a trust by passing through trying and testing experiences in mortality. That education can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Adversity,” Ensign, May 2009, 24

Topics: Righteousness, Atonement, Sacrifice

Agency

"We tend to think of agency as a personal matter. If we ask someone to define 'moral agency,' the answer will probably be something like this: 'Moral agency means I am free to make choices for myself.' Often overlooked is the fact that choices have consequences; we forget also that agency offers the same privilege of choice to others. At times we will be affected adversely by the way other people choose to exercise their agency. Our Heavenly Father feels so strongly about protecting our agency that he allows his children to exercise it, either for good or for evil."

M. Russell Ballard, "Answers to Life's Questions," Ensign, May 1995, 23

Topics: Agency

Decisions

"Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say, 'No,' the courage to say, 'Yes,' Decisions do determine destiny. The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. It has ever been so, and so shall it ever be."

Thomas S. Monson, "The Call for Courage," Ensign, May 2004, 54-55

Topics: Choice and Accountability, Courage, Agency

Being Grateful Will Make Us Happy

"Mercies and blessings come in different forms--sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things' (D&C 59:7). All things means just that: good things, difficult things--not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love."

Bonnie D. Parkin, "Gratitude: A Path to Happiness," Ensign, May 2007, 35

Gratitude Defines Noble Characters

"Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Live in Thanksgiving Daily," Ensign, Sept. 2001, 8

Topics: Gratitude

Believe in God

“If you cannot remember believing in God or if you have ceased to believe or if you believe but without real conviction, I invite you to seek a testimony of God now. Do not be afraid of ridicule. The strength and peace that come from knowing God and having the comforting companionship of His Spirit will make your efforts eternally worthwhile.

“Even more, with your own testimony of God, you will be able to bless your family, your posterity, your friends, your own life—all those you love. Your personal knowledge of God is not only the greatest gift you will ever give, but it will bring you the greatest joy you will ever have.”

Robert D. Hales, “Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 32

Topics: Testimony

Meeting Your Goliath

“The battle for our souls is no less important that the battle fought by David. The enemy is no less formidable, the help of Almighty God no farther away. What will our action be? Like David of old, ‘our cause is just.’ We have been placed upon earth not to fail or fall victim to temptation’s snare, but rather to succeed. Our giant, our Goliath, must be conquered.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Meeting Your Goliath,” New Era, June 2008, 5

Topics: Courage, Opposition, Adversity

Be Believing

"I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He 'would fight [our] battles, [our] children's battles, and [the battles of our] children's children' (D&C 98:37; emphasis added). And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to 'search diligently, pray always, and be believing. [Then] all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted' (D&C 90:24). The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Ministry of Angels," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 30

Topics: Prayer, Faith, Courage