I was studying Elder Bednar's talk "Meek and Lowly of Heart" in the April 2018 General Conference. I loved all of the principles which he discussed and the scriptures he used. Elder Bednar gave increased insight into my understanding of meekness. He highlighted so many different aspects of meekness that I had never thought of before.

In one part of his talk he said, "Whereas humility generally denotes dependence upon God and the constant need for His guidance and support, a distinguishing characteristic of meekness is a particular spiritual receptivity to learning both from the Holy Ghost and from people who may seem less capable, experienced, or educated, who may not hold important positions, or who other wise may not appear to have much to contribute." I had never even thought of this definition as being Christlike especially because Christ was perfect, so why would he need to listen to anyone else? Why would he need the guidance of anyone aside from the Spirit? Yet throughout my study I learned that Christ did listen to his Father and in so many other stories of Christ the attribute of meekness really is quite evident in this aspect. I hope that I can become meek enough to listen to others when they speak truth. That I will be meek enough to heed their counsel and direction.

I was also very grateful that he quoted the two scriptures Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:and ye shall find rest unto your souls" and D&C 19 :23 "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me." Upon reading these verses I found it interesting that the promises of being meek were rest and peace. If we are meek we will find peace and rest! What an amazing gift and promise!

All of these definitions and principles of meekness really have touched me. They have given me a greater desire to become meek and lowly of heart. I want the much needed blessings of peace and rest in my own life and I know that as we all strive to become meek, these blessing will come. We will find peace. We will find rest. I strongly encourage those who will to study Elder Bednar's talk and to strive to become meek. I know so many unforeseen blessings will stem from these efforts. 

As a part of my study for my class this past week I read Matthew 6, which is a part of the sermon on the mount. Verses 19-21 of this chapter really impacted me.

They say, "19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

I've read and heard these verses so many times that I have grown to really take their message for granted. Yet, as I read it this time, I was reminded of the powerful principle which it teaches, which is that we, as disciples of Christ, should be seeking after the things of heaven, we should be seeking to become like Christ and to do those things which exemplify Him rather than worrying about worldly things. When we become so focused on clothing, entertainment, social status, or anything of this world that we stop worrying about becoming like Christ we show that our heart and soul are laid up in unimportant things. Just as the scripture says “...where your treasure is, there will your heart be also...” For me personally, I realized that I often place value in many worldly things and I have already begun to re-prioritize what I value and have noticed such a difference in my commitment and love for my family, Heavenly Father, Christ, and His gospel. I would also like to add that we all can apply that important principle, to treasure up those things which are most important. I would exhort all of you that find yourselves following that which is fleeting, temporary, or unimportant to reevaluate your priorities and treasures. I plead with you to seek for those things of heaven, seek to become like Christ, seek after all good things that will draw you closer to others and to Christ, seek to place value in service and in strengthening relationships with family and friends. I know that if you do so, your will and our heart will become aligned with Heavenly Fathers and you will find true joy in heavenly treasures. This joy will become lasting and ever-increasing as you seek to treasure up that which our Father would have you do.

In my personal study of Jacob 2, I was quite affected by verse 17 which says, "Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you."

This verse teaches several important lessons. The first is that we should view all of the children of God as we do ourselves. We should see others as our brothers and sisters and not as people who are below us in any way and we must be familiar with ALL. We must minister and strive to befriend all of the children of God not just those who "look like us..think like us.. act like us". In conjunction to all of that, this verse teaches beautifully that we must use our substance freely to lift and help our brothers and sisters.

After reading this verse I felt a strong desire to look at people through Christs eyes and not my own, to become familiar with all of my brothers and sisters who I come in contact with, and to give freely to those in need all that I can of my own substance. I have a long way to go before I will be perfect at living any of these principles of the gospel, but upon reading this scripture I have grown to understand more fully how important it is that I make a conscious and a sincere effort to incorporate these actions into my life.

I know that this verse is not just applicable to the brethren of Jacob, but that it is applicable to all of us. Let us refrain from any sort of prideful interaction with our brothers and sisters, let us make an effort to be familiar with all of the children of God, and let us give our physical substance to help others where we can.  If any of us are not striving to apply these principles, I plead sincerely with all of us that we might make a sincere effort to do so. I know that with the aid of Christ these beautiful teachings can truly draw us closer to Him. I know that the action of these principles are a remedy to the pride which can so easily beset all of us. Let us apply them as Christ would so that we can be more fully united as brothers and sisters and children of God.

     While studying in 2 Nephi 28, I was stuck by verse 32. It says, "Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts."
     Upon reading this verse I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the mercy of the Lord. Just as the Gentiles, I have often denied His hand, yet in spite of all that He has still extended it. As I have repented and come unto Him, He has never withheld forgiveness or withdrawn His love for me. He has truly been merciful.
      I would like to add that this mercy is not there for just me or even just a few of us, and it is not only there for a set period of time in this life. Even when we deny Him He does not leave us. He is always ready to extend mercy, we simply have to reach for it and accept it. I know this doctrine to be true because I have experienced it many times. I have felt the presence of His hand every time I have reached for it. He is ever ready to bring us back to Him, to strengthen us in times of struggle, and to pull us out of sin with his merciful arms.

     In my personal study of the Book of Mormon this past week I studied 2 Nephi 26. I had a lot of thoughts and insights throughout the whole chapter, but I want to focus on verse 24 because it is incredible to me. It says, "He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation."
     This verse is speaking of our Savior, Jesus Christ. What struck me about it most is that Christ doesn't do anything unless it benefits us. More than that, anything He does is out of the unfathomable love He has for us. He laid down His life, so that we could rise from the grave. He atoned, so that our spirits could rise from their spiritual grave.
      I know these doctrines to be true. I personally know that Christ loves me so much and because I know that I also know that I can come to Him in time of weakness and trial. I know that He perfectly understands because He made the ultimate sacrifice and I know that I have been and continue to be blessed by a truly loving Savior, but even further than knowing these things of Christ, we can and should directly apply this knowledge to our actions.We have been commanded of Christ to partake of His salvation. We should take this commandment very seriously and with the utmost sacredness. When we need Him we should come unto Him with a humble heart and seek for healing, comfort, forgiveness, peace, and so on. I would exhort that we all seek Christ and utilize His gift of salvation.

In my study of the Book of Mormon this past week, I studied 2 Nephi 4. The entire chapter really struck me, but I would just like to share a few verses.

In verses 27-30 it says,"27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation."

I was so grateful to read these. They were very thought provoking questions and responses for me personally and can be for all of us if we really take them to heart. Why do we give in to sin.. why are we angry.. why are we doing and being all those things contrary to the commandments of God and giving way to Satan? We do not have to yield to the devil. We don't have to become angry or sad. We too can waken our souls, we can rejoice and be glad, we can choose to do the right and to withstand temptations. We do not have to remain in a state of anger, sin, or weakness. It is a choice each and every one of us have in every single moment and situation. We can always choose the better way and we can always choose to be happy. Though I understand that we all have imperfections and won't be perfect in this life, I know that if we make a conscious effort to rejoice in the Lord as Nephi does, if we trust in Him, follow Him, and make Him our rock and foundation we can feel the spirit awake our souls from a state of despair and sorrow and sin. I have personally been very grateful for that choice as I have faced/face difficult times. I have felt that joy come from my Savior, my soul has been awakened and I testify, once again, that we all have the choice to feel that as well.

Opposition in all things

During this past week of my class Jesus Christ and The Everlasting Gospel we discussed several principles and doctrines, but one that really stuck out to me is illustrated in the passage Moses 1:1-22. These verses tell of Moses's beautiful experience with God while he was on a high mountain and of the following encounter he had with Satan. Upon discussing this, our professor pointed out that Moses had had a "spiritual plateau" as he referred to it. He had felt an abundance of the spirit as he viewed God's creations and the grandness of the universe. When he returned from this he was confronted by Satan with an extremely evil and opposite power. Our professor said that Brigham Young taught, "Whenever God gives you a very high, holy, or sacred experience either right before or right after he is going to allow the devil to tempt you or he himself will give you a trial equal and opposite in proportion to what you just experienced." Moses's experience and this quote instantly reminded me of several of my own personal struggles and spiritual highs that I had gone through recently. In recognition of those experiences, I was humbled, and it caused me to realize that I need to prepare myself now for those struggles ahead. Moses, though he felt fear and a struggle to oppose Satan, did not falter because he had prepared himself spiritually and followed the will and counsel of Heavenly Father. Our professor told us, "Don't beat yourself up when you struggle after you've had amazing spiritual experiences... let you grow through them instead of go through them." Just as Moses all of those who do experience a very spiritual high will at some point face the opposite amount of struggle or trial. We must all do what we can to prepare ourselves against those times. We must make decisions now to follow our Heavenly Father, to endure and press forward, and to allow hard times to help us grow and progress. I am grateful for both trials and spiritual experiences. I know that they are the means to growth in this glorious gospel. How we face both types of experiences will determine which way we go and who we will follow.