I was reading in Alma chapter 22 this evening in German (hence the reason I type out the verses in German as well as in English). In this chapter Aaron is teaching King Lamoni's father, who is also a king. Aaron teaches him about the creation, the Fall of Adam, and the Plan of Salvation which is made possible through Christ's Atonement. After this, the king asks Aaron what he needs to do to obtain eternal life. In verse 15 the king says: "...I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy." (which in German reads)...ich will alles hergeben, was ich besitze, ja, ich will meinem Koenigreich entsagen, damit ich diese grosse Freude empfangen kann.
In the next verse Aaron explains to the king what it is that he should do: "...if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest." (which in German reads)...wenn du dich vor Gott niederbeugst, ja, wenn du von all deinen Suenden umkehrst und dich vor Gott niederbeugst und glaeubig seinen Namen anrufst, im Vertrauen darauf, dass du empfangen wirst, dann wirst du die Hoffnung empfangen, die du wuenschst.
I got kind of confused. In verse 15 the king says that he desires Freude (joy) but then in the next verse, Aaron teaches him what to do so that the king can receive the Hoffnung (hope) that he desires. But I thought the king desired joy? Then I asked myself: how do Freude (joy) and Hoffnung (hope) relate? Are they connected in any way? Of course then I had to do some research:
After making sure that I had translated the words Freude and Hoffnung correctly, I looked up the English words on dictionary.com. This is what I found:
Freude = joy = the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying
Hoffnung = hope = to believe, desire, or trust
As I read the definition for joy I thought about what it is that is exceptionally good or satisfying. I think that having hope, in the gospel sense, is exceptionally good and satisfying. But what does is mean to have hope according to the gospel? I could go on a whole other tangent about what hope means but I'll explain it with a quote and a scripture:
"The gospel is the good news of Christ. It is the revelation that the Son of God came to earth, lived a perfect life, atoned for our sins, and conquered death. It is the path of salvation, the way of hope and joy, and the assurance that God has a plan of redemption and happiness for His children." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Way of the Disciple", Ensign May 2009
Ether 12:4 - "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."
Continuing on the topic of hope, I found another quote which teaches more about how hope and joy are connected. The author had been talking about the pioneer Saints and then said, "These early Saints were indeed homeless, but they were not hopeless...They had learned a profound and important lesson. They had learned that hope, with its attendant blessings of peace and joy, does not depend upon circumstance. They had discovered that the true source of hope is faith - faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His infinite Atonement, the one sure foundation upon which to build our lives." Wilford W. Anderson, "The Rock of Our Redeemer", Liahona May 2010
So here we learn that the 'true source of hope is faith'. In 2 Nephi 2:25 we read, "...men are, that they might have joy." How do we have this joy? From the quote we learned that one of the blessings that comes from having hope is joy. In "True to the Faith" we also learn that, "With hope, you can find joy in life."
So by having faith in Christ, we obtain a hope, which gives us peace and joy.
After all this research, I thought about what had triggered this whole thing. I was confused as to why Aaron told the king that he would obtain the hope which he desired when really the king had said that he desired joy. Aaron was promising the king more than just joy. He promised him that if he would: bow down before God, repent of all his sins, call upon God's name in faith, and if he would believe that he would receive these things, then the king would receive hope. Which we know that one of the many blessings of hope is joy.
I've been thinking about why this caught my attention (and why after midnight which has lead me to now...almost 2am). I've probably read this chapter in Alma almost a hundred times. Lately I've realized that I'm not as happy as I would wish to be. It's not that I'm unhappy, because I'm not not happy. I've been happier. I've also been less happy. Anyway, as I was doing my research about hope and joy, I read this:
"Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope." Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God", Liahona Nov 2009
I then thought, when was the last time I felt the love of God? I need to do more than I have been. I need to stop just going through the motions of praying every morning and night, reading my scriptures every day, and going to the temple every week. Those aren't bad things. But just going through the motions of doing them because I'm suppose to probably isn't the best. In General Conference this weekend I learned from Elder Scott that you get what you pay for. If I want to feel this 'unparalleled joy' that comes from love (which for me right now means the love of God) then I have to put forth the effort to feel it.
"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God." Psalm 146:5
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Advice from Elder F. Enzio Busche
Elder F. Enzio Busche - Quorum of Seventy
BYU Devotional - 14 May 1996
It helps when, from time to time, we ponder and seek identification with the following thoughts:
Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks.
The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by Him, and nothing is impossible for you.
When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness to become acceptable for the light of Christ.
Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for Him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for Him by diligently serving in His Church.
God knows you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, He will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
God knows better than you what you need.
He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that He makes to us - everything will fall into its place.
Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm.
On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
Avoid rush and haste in uncontrolled words.
Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
When you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.
Thus, we prepare all the days of our lives, and, as we grow, death loses its sting, hell loses its power, and we look forward to that day with anticipation and joy when He will come in His glory.
BYU Devotional - 14 May 1996
It helps when, from time to time, we ponder and seek identification with the following thoughts:
Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks.
The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by Him, and nothing is impossible for you.
When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness to become acceptable for the light of Christ.
Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for Him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for Him by diligently serving in His Church.
God knows you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, He will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
God knows better than you what you need.
He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that He makes to us - everything will fall into its place.
Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm.
On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
Avoid rush and haste in uncontrolled words.
Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
When you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.
Thus, we prepare all the days of our lives, and, as we grow, death loses its sting, hell loses its power, and we look forward to that day with anticipation and joy when He will come in His glory.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Ward Opening Social
Here are pictures that we took at our ward opening social last week!
Keri, Alex, me on our way to FHE
Stephanie, Alex, Keri eating
Can you feel the love tonight?
Alex, me, Keri
me and Keri laughing :D
Keri, Alex, me on our way to FHE
Stephanie, Alex, Keri eating
Can you feel the love tonight?
Alex, me, Keri
me and Keri laughing :D
Pictures from the mission BBQ
I realized that I've taken lots of pictures recently but haven't posted them. This post is pictures that I took at the mission BBQ we went to a few weeks ago:
me, Keri, Stephanie upon realizing that we were some of the oldest missionaries at the party
Kaitlin, me, Keri
Keri behind the balloons, German flag, Stephanie
The DRIT! Angela, me, Caitlin
The Webb-Ninow Sisters: Angela, me, Stephanie, Kaitlin, Emily, Keri
me, Keri, Stephanie upon realizing that we were some of the oldest missionaries at the party
Kaitlin, me, Keri
Keri behind the balloons, German flag, Stephanie
The DRIT! Angela, me, Caitlin
The Webb-Ninow Sisters: Angela, me, Stephanie, Kaitlin, Emily, Keri
Monday, September 6, 2010
I can do anything...better than anyone
Matthew 18: 3 - "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."
Just The Way You Are
We went a little camera happy today while we were ice skating...and decided to make a music video.
We also really love this song....
We also really love this song....
Sunday, September 5, 2010
MTC friends
Last night I went to a little mission get together. The missionaries that I was in the MTC with were also there!
Here's a picture of us in the MTC: January 2008 - March 2008
(some kid I don't know), Elder Johnson, Sister Stewart, Elder Berry, Sister Doty, Elder Hafer, Elder Folley, Elder McDonald, Elder Eaton
After being in the mission for a good long while, we got to see eachother again at a mission conference!
Elder Berry, Elder Hafer, Elder Johnson, Sister Stewart, Elder McDonald, Sister Doty, Elder Eaton, Elder Folley
2 1/2 years after entering the MTC we meet again! But as 'normal' people!!
James Eaton, Cameron Johnson, Rachel Doty, Kaitlin Stewart, Robert Berry, Spencer Hafer
Here's a picture of us in the MTC: January 2008 - March 2008
(some kid I don't know), Elder Johnson, Sister Stewart, Elder Berry, Sister Doty, Elder Hafer, Elder Folley, Elder McDonald, Elder Eaton
After being in the mission for a good long while, we got to see eachother again at a mission conference!
Elder Berry, Elder Hafer, Elder Johnson, Sister Stewart, Elder McDonald, Sister Doty, Elder Eaton, Elder Folley
2 1/2 years after entering the MTC we meet again! But as 'normal' people!!
James Eaton, Cameron Johnson, Rachel Doty, Kaitlin Stewart, Robert Berry, Spencer Hafer
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