29 July 2011

Sailing

 A sailboat without any wind, goes nowhere.  Its no different for us in this life.  Without wind, we go nowhere.  An experienced sailor can get from point A to B regardless of which direction the wind is blowing;  even if the wind is directly against him, he can still move forward.  It doesn't matter what our lot is in this life.  For some its seems the wind is always blowing in their favor while you struggle to make do with an opposing wind.  But the Lord has promised us in 1 Nep 3:7 that whatever he commands, he will provide a way to accomplish it, even if the wind is against us.
Fortunately, there is a man has sailed these waters before us.  He knows how to rig your boat, where the reefs are, and which direction will bring us an unfavorable storm.  All these things are written for us in the scriptures.  All we have to do is read them to learn how to better navigate the waters of life.  Read the scriptures.  They bring so much peace and understanding to us.  And remember, that no matter how adverse the wind is, we can always move forward.
_Elder Halbert 

06 July 2011

Remember Who You Are

One of the best principles that we can learn in this life is expressed very well in the movie "Lion King".  Simba is the son of Mufasa and heir to the throne. Simba runs away from his old life, not willing to face the mistakes of his past, leaving the throne to his "wicked" uncle Scar. One evening, years later while Simba is wandering around, he is confronted by the spirit of his father Mufasa.  Mufasa teaches Simba an important lesson.  It is a lesson that all of us need to know.  Mufasa, speaking very plainly says
"You have forgotten who you are, and so have forgotten me.[...], you are my son...  Remember who you are.
 I wonder how many times our Father in Heaven would like to say the very same thing to us.  By forgetting who we are, sons and daughters of God, we forget God. We deny ourselves the blessings that come from knowing who we are.  God is our Father in Heaven.  He is not just some unknown being in the skies, He is your Father.  The Bible Dictionary on the subject of prayer states
"As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship."
Children in the church are taught from a very young age about their relationship with God through the song "I am a Child of God".  We are His children and He loves us.  How dramatically would our lives change if we treated or Remembered that everybody around us is a child of God.  How much heart ache could we save ourselves if we looked at ourselves the same way?  There would be no being made fun of, no put downs, no self-esteem issues.  There would be respect towards one another. The world would be so much better if remembered who we are all.  We are children of God.  He loves you.  I know who I am.  I give the same advice that Mufasa gave his son, and that God gives to us today.  Remember who you are. You are a child of God.
_Elder Halbert