God's Everlasting Love

Last weekend, Nov 14th, Stephanie, Heidi and I attended a concert at the Tabernacle entitled, "God's Everlasting Love." The BYU-I choir sang the words to text written by Elder David A Bednar. I loved the words, and wish to share them here.

God's Everlasting Love

I
God's everlasting love: We will make an earth whereon these may dwell, and prove them to see if they will do all things that God shall command according to the plan. For that purpose was the earth created. For that prupose we are here. Will our natures be transformed, bringing us closer to God the Father and His Son? Subject to desires of the flesh, we yearn for a mighty change of heart. Our hearts are changed by His love, God's everlasting love. The natural man declines - a Saint arises. Through the Atonement of Christ the Lord, our fallen nature is changed - bad to good, good to better. We become new creatures through His love.

II
As God's love strengthens us, we act - we change. We become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon. We are strengthened to change our circumstances.

III
I pray for strength to burst these bands. I am bound; I am weak. With and through and by God's love I receive strength. I can burst these bands. I can; I will. I pray for the strength of His love. His love changes me.

IV
Through the power of God's love, burdens are made light. We are strengthened to bear burdens with ease. Though challenges may not be removed, we are patient. We submit cheerfully to the will of God.

V
Contemplation: Jesus, Once of Humble Birth

VI
Christ invites us to come unto HIm and be changed. His yoke is easy; the burden is light. He invites us to learn of HIm. He is meek and lowly in heart.

VII
At the last supper in the upper room, Christ spoke of comfort and peace. Perhaps He was troubled in that moment, knowing what lay ahead. Yet the Master reached out and offered the very blessings that would have strengthened Him - comfort and peace.

VIII
The great love of Christ is revealed. He discerned the suffereing of others - yet He Himself was suffering. Christ reached outward and ministered, even as He experienced anguish and torment. He suffered the most - yet Christ succors all of us who suffer so much less.

IX
God's love is the source of divine help. His love provides strength beyond our own. The atoning sacrifice of Christ helps us avoid and overcome the bad. His Atonement strengthens us to do and become good. We are changed by His everlasting love.

X
Introspection: I Know That my Redeemer Lives

XI
His love conquers all, gives us strength even unto deliverance. We obtain the mind of Christ. We change; we grow; we become. We receive His image in our countenance.

XII
His love brings peace. He visits us with assurance. Our faith grows. Our hope increases. Our courage and determination are strengthened. We go forth with all our might. Christ speaks peace to our souls. The peace that passeth all understanding is ours from Him - Because of His everlasting love.

XIII
His love conquers death. The bands of death are loosed which bind his people. His soul is filled with mercy. He succors His people according to their infirmities. His love conquers all things - all anguish, all suffering, all weakness and infirmity. All things are changed by His love.

XIV
God's everlasting love: We will make an earth whereon these may dwell, and prove them to see if they will do all things that God shall command according to the plan. For that purpose was the earth created. For that prupose we are here. Will our natures be transformed, bringing us closer to God the Father and His Son? Subject to desires of the flesh, we yearn for a mighty change of heart. Our hearts are changed by His love, God's everlasting love. The natural man declines - a Saint arises. Through the Atonement of Christ the Lord, our fallen nature is changed - bad to good, good to better. We become new creatures through His love.

2 Nephi 8

Key Scriptures:

1. vs. 11 - "Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away."

I am reminded of a talk in a recent edition of the Ensign, by Elder Uchdrof, in which he said that for however deep our sorrows are in this life, the Lord will reward us with 100 fold worth of joy. I loved that concept. No matter what we endure in this life, as long as we endure it well, we will be blessed far more than we could ever imagine. I love this particular scripture that speaks of the joy we will have as we establish Zion. Can you imagine? A people of one heart and one mind? YES! Yes I can! I know that I can start small, by being unified with my husband and family. Next, as a ward family, and on and on until we are all unified as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.

2 Nephi 7

Key Scriptures:

1. vs. 6 - "I gave my back to the smiter, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting."

I love the lesson the Lord taught about turning the other cheek. I think of the many pioneers who were abused and bore it with patience. I think of Joseph Smith, who endured ridicule from community leaders from the time he was just a young boy. A man who sealed his testimony with his blood. I think of the Savior - my perfect Savior - who endured the unimaginable pain in Gethsemane, and then who endured the ridicule from men who he thought were his friends, and finally the pain of being nailed to a cross on Calvary. Throughout it all, he held his tongue, and spoke of forgiveness and love. I want to endure my trials with that same attitude.

2 Nephi 6

Key Scriptures:

1. vs. 7 - "...and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."

2. vs. 11 - "[they] shall not be suffered to perish because of the prayers of the faithful."

3. vs. 17 - "for the Mighty God shall deliver his covenant people."

I love these scriptures that speak of the Lord protecting and watching over his people. We must never be ashamed of the Lord. He has sacrificed everything for us. He has lived a perfect life as an example for us. He has provided the way so that we may receive mercy as he has performed the Atonement so that the demands of justice may be realized. By comparison, the Lord has asked very little of us. It is time to lift up our hearts to the Lord. Pray for our enemies, and those who despitefully us, and for those who have strayed from the path of God. I must stand against evil and actively fight against Satan and his dark angels. I will not be ashamed of my Savior.

2 Nephi 5

Key Scriptures:

1. vs 9 - "And all those who were with me did take upon them to call themselves the people of Nephi."

2. vs. 16 - "And I, Nephi, did build a temple."

I was thinking about when Nephi and some of the people left from the presence of Lamen and Lemuel. Once they were separated, the people chose to be called the people of Nephi. Why did they do this? I think it was because they saw in Nephi a righteous man and leader. I think they took upon themselves his name so that they would remember him and when they did so, they would remember his legacy and try to act and live as he did. Similarly, I think of myself. Ever Sunday, during the sacrament, I promise to take upon me the name of Christ. I do this for the same reason. The Savior is my advocate before the Father. He loves me even though I have made and will continue to make horrible mistakes in my life. BUT, by taking upon me his name, I promise to try to remember his always. As I remember the Savior, I will remember his sacrifice, love and service towards me. When I remember these things, I hope that my heart will be stirred to try a little bit harder to one day become like him. That way, I will not only carry his name, but I will be the same in thought, word and deed as well.

"I love to see the temple. I'll go inside someday. I'll covenant with my Father, I'll promise to obey. For the temple is a holy place, where we are sealed together. As a child of God, I've learned this truth - a family is forever." I love that as soon as the righteous fled from the unrighteous, they built a temple unto the Lord. I love the temple and the blessings I receive as I go and learn more of the true nature of God and of his plan for me.

2 Nephi 4

Key Scriptures:

1. vs. 33 - O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way - but that thou wouldst clear my way before me and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemies.

2. vs. 34 - O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

WOW! I need to put these scriptures up on my wall, because I fall SO often! This was actually really helpful re-reading this (I read this chapter awhile ago, blut am just now updating the blog with thoughts on it). I am currently working from home, but am planning to quit in January to be home with Danny. I get worried about the money situation because Kenneth will be working less than part time due to work restrictions until he is hired on full time in May. Just yesterday I was getting stressed about it, and was wondering if perhaps I should keep working longer so that we will have more money. Either way, I know we will be fine because we have enough money is savings, but I wanted to keep as much there as possible. Re-reading these scriptures has helped immensely! I have been trusting in the arm of man, and we are told specifically NOT to do that! We are to trust in the Lord. I think back to the 12 Apostles in Jesus' day, and the early missionaries of the restored gospel. They were sent out to preach without purse and script. They trusted in the Lord, and their needs were met as they followed the commandments of the Lord. I know the same will occur for me. The prophets have counseled that where possible, mothers are to stay in the home with their children. I know that if I follow his counsel, even if our "purse" may be a little more empty, that we will be blessed by the Lord. I am grateful for the reminder.

I also love the first line, "O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robes oof thy righteousness." What an amazing image. I love it.

2 Nephi 3

Key Scriptures:

1. vs. 5 - "...the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the last days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness until light - yea out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.

2. vs. 12 - "...and that which was written by the fruit of thy loins [Book of Mormon], and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah [Bible]shall grow together,unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace..."

3. vs. 13 - "And out of weakness he shall be made strong."

4. vs. 24 - "And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God..."

I love any and all scriptures that speak of the Savior and especially those which remind me that through the Savior, we may find the course out of darkness and into his glorious light. I love the phrase "out of darkness and out of captivity unto freedom." I know that when I sin I am bound to Satan. He wants me to be "miserable like unto himself." When I reach out to the ever-stretched forth hand of the Savior, and repent of my sins, I am brought forth out of the darkness and am freed from the bounds of Satan. No one else could do that for me. I cannot do that for myself. I am completely dependent upon the Lord.

As part of this challenge I have set forth for myself, I am trying to be better with my scripture reading and to also gain a greater testimony of God's word. I love the Book of Mormon and I also love the Bible. I know that these two books of scriptures work hand-in-hand to convince me of the truthfulness of the gospel and also of the necessity of the Savior in my life. I know that through studying BOTH sets of scripture, I will gain knowledge and will also receive peace to my soul.

Plain and simple - I am weak. I can be made strong if I allow my life to be guided by the Spirit, and when I put aside my will, and instead seek for the Lord's will be done.

Verse 24 is referring to the Prophet Joseph Smith, however, when I read it, I thought that it is an amazing scripture to try to base my life off of. I can be a mighty person when I trust in the Lord. I can do much good as I put my life in the Lord's hands and become his instrument for good. I can work each day to increase my faith and to work mighty wonders as I serve God's children.