I read this quote this morning from Elder Richard G Scott and loved the imagry that came to my head. I got thinking about what a little poster might look like….anyway the quote says:
“Problems or trials in our lives need to be viewed in the perspective of scriptural doctrine. Otherwise they can easily overtake our vision, absorb our energy, and deprive us of the joy and beauty the Lord intends us to receive here on earth. Some people are like rocks thrown into a sea of problems. They are drowned by them. Be a cork. When submerged in a problem, fight to be free to bob up to serve again with happiness. . . . “The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. That progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether initially it be to your individual liking or not. When you trust in the Lord, when you are willing to let your heart and your mind be centered in His will, when you ask to be led by the Spirit to do His will, you are assured of the greatest happiness along the way and the most fulfilling attainment from this mortal experience. If you question everything you are asked to do, or dig in your heels at every unpleasant challenge, you make it harder for the Lord to bless you [see 1 Nephi 3:7]” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 32–33; or Ensign, May 1996, 24–25).
I love what the people of Alma teach about submitting to the Lord patiently and cheerfully. I just wish I could do it! I can on some level, but I want to be really good at it. Elder Holland’s talk in conference is the same way for me, I have different levels of obedience to that principle as well. In fact, I had to read it in stages, because I felt guilty. Yet, once I made it to the end, I found it so hopeful. In one sense, when just speaking about labor, the parable does seem unfair to me. That is a worldly view, so thankfully, he brought insight to a deeper meaning. In what he calls the 1st lesson of the parable is where I stalled out a bit. On a worldly level I am doing fine. But on a deeper level, I could see where I could be better. (Thus the guilt!) I don’t begrudge people blessings, I am genuinely happy for them. I don’t demean people to make myself feel better. So I am obedient in that respect. But I do envy. I don’t envy to the point of suffering all good things, but I do envy. I don’t envy all things, just certain things. And none of what I envy is “stuff”. For instance, I used to envy babies. After I was happy for someone else being pregnant, I would shed a few tears of envy, wishing for that same blessing. The 2nd lesson was easier. I don’t spend a lot of time looking back, or holding on to things. I think my experiences the last couple months, years, has taught me some things about that. What I need to work on is stressing about today and the future. The lessons taught by Alma and his people—submitting cheerfully and patiently to the Lord till He provides deliverance. That will actually help with the envy. The third lesson, was where I found hope. And where the parable is exactly as I hope it will be. I want there to be time to overcome sins and weaknesses. I want the Atonement to reach deep. I want it for me and I want it for my children. So, then it naturally follows that I want it for everyone. I love thinking about loved ones on the other side working out their salvation and other loved ones helping them. I wouldn’t dream of thinking it fair to deny anyone, even at the last second, the chance to change and be welcomed into His arms. I am grateful for the time I have to keep working on my weaknesses, level upon level.
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