This week is Easter. When I think of Easter my thoughts immediately turn to family get-togethers at my Grandma and Papa's house. They would hide eggs with spare change in them and baskets for all the grandkids, and Grandma would make up the best snacks and food for everyone to munch on throughout the day. I think of hugging relatives that I didn't see often, and running off with cousins. I think of matching Easter dresses that my Mom would make for us girls. They are happy memories.
Easters are different now. All of my grandparents and my mom have passed away. I'm all grown up (kinda...) and we aren't close to family this year at least. I feel like we should do something special to celebrate, but we're not very good at that kind of stuff with just the two of us. In a way, it makes it a little easier to focus on what Easter's really about. And when I can focus on that, I don't have to be sad that Easters are different now, because everything that I really miss about those Easters will be restored to me. Because of Him.
So, to get into the Easter spirit, which for me is one of reverent gratitude and awe, here's my list of things I have because of Him.
Because of Him, I will live again.
Because of Him, I get to be with my family for all eternity.
Because of Him, death does not signify the end -- only change.
Because of Him, I do not have to carry my burdens - sorrow, grief, pain, regret, sin - alone.
Because of Him, I can be made pure and my sins can be forgiven.
Because of Him, I can change and become the better person I want to be.
Because of Him, I look forward to an eternity of family, learning, and constant progression.
Because of Him, I am not afraid.
Because of Him, I have hope.
He did the unthinkable for us in performing the Atonement. Now it's our turn to take action. Reach out to Him and accept that gift. With it, any change is possible. With it, everyone can have hope. This Easter, discover what is possible for you because of Him.
If people know anything about the Mormon church it is usually 1) we believe in the Book of Mormon, and 2) "Joe" Smith founded the church. I've never heard anyone in the church refer to Joseph as "Joe", but it is still common to come across "Joe" on the internet, particularly when the writer is anti-mormon.
I'll be honest. My church history knowledge isn't really as good as I'd like it to be, so I am hesitant to write out a bunch of dates and events on here. I've embedded a video of a talk given at general conference last weekend about Joseph Smith, and I'll provide some links where you can learn more if you'd like. (I really should have more committed to memory, considering I took an entire course all about Joseph Smith at BYU.) Besides, this all makes much more sense than me blabbing on. :)
There is a project going on in the church, where they are making digital copies of all of the papers, letters, journals, etc. that they have from and to Joseph. It is a huge effort, and while you can buy hard copies at church bookstores, they are making it all available to the public online. It's very cool. http://josephsmithpapers.org/
I do have a testimony Joseph Smith was really a prophet of God. To be honest, it was one of the things that took me a while to have a strong testimony of. I took that course at BYU about Joseph because I wanted to learn more and be able to strengthen my testimony of him. I've had a strong conviction of the Book of Mormon for quite a long time, so I knew through logic that if it were true, Joseph Smith must have been a prophet of God, but I wanted that to be a stand-alone conviction. (Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from ancient record delivered to him by the Angel Moroni, so if the book was true, he certainly didn't make it all up.) It takes study, and earnest prayer to gain a testimony of something, and that class at BYU gave me the perfect opportunity for just that.
I am grateful to Joseph and everything he did to bring this gospel forward. I am grateful to have knowledge that would not be available to me without his efforts. Without this gospel, I would not understand why I am here and what the future (big picture) could hold for me. I would not have the peace and comfort that comes from knowing that families are eternal. I would not have the same relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we don't worship Joseph Smith, but we do have a great amount of reverence and appreciation for what he did.
Mormons believe that the heavens are open and God still speaks. That is one of the fundamental differences between the LDS church and other branches of Christianity. We believe in a continuous line of modern-day prophets, starting with Joseph Smith and continuing through the decades to Thomas S. Monson today. I am now realizing that I never actually put up the story of Joseph Smith on here, so I'll have to do that in a future post, but that's not what this post is about.
As a Church with Prophets and revelation, it would be silly if we didn't take time to gather and listen to our general church leaders every once in a while. So we have what we call General Conference every 6 months. We gather to listen to the Prophet and other church leaders including Apostles and Auxiliary leaders. (Note -- The links that I add go to more information on the word/topic on LDS.org) Come listen in next weekend if you want to. I promise that if you listen with an open heart, you will hear something that touches your soul.
Because I have the opportunity to listen to these men and women every 6 months, I have grown to know and love them. I have my favorites, that I always look forward to hearing from, but each conference I find that some of the most powerful talks are given by leaders that I am not very familiar with yet.
So why do we believe in modern revelation? Well, I could ramble on for a while, trying to put my understanding of it into words, or I could let you listen to one of my favorite Apostles, Elder Jeffry R. Holland explain it. In short, we have modern revelation because God still lives, He is still involved in our lives, and navigating this changing world required continuous inspiration from Him.
So the Prophet is the only one who has the authority or right to receive revelation for the church as a whole. However, we are each entitled to seek for and receive personal revelation. I pray for personal revelation all the time. I prayed for it when I was trying to decide what college to attend, what major to choose, and if I should marry my husband. It's not like I just pray and get answers to all my questions without any consideration on my part. The link I placed back there is a talk that addresses how we can receive personal revelation. I seek personal revelation and comfort when I feel sad. I pray all the time to know how to prepare for motherhood and other changes that are coming in my life. I pray to know what educational path is right for me and my family. Our Heavenly Father is invested in us. He wants us to be happy and he will help us find the path to get there if we ask Him to. Some of that path will be personal, but some of it is not so individualized. The parts that pertain to everybody are revealed through the prophets, old and current.
Tonight was the General Women's Meeting of the Church. This is a new meeting that has replaced an annual General Relief Society Meeting (women ages 18 and up) in the spring and a General Young Women's Meeting (ages 12 to 18, plus mothers and leaders) in the fall. (They might have been opposite times of the year). Anyway, it is now a semi-annual meeting for all women of the church, ages 8 and up! Millions of women gathered around the world to watch it in dozens of different languages. It's pretty amazing, and the messages were beautiful.
I don't know about you, but I go through periods of life when I just feel a little down. Or inadequate. Or... not quite up to par for some reason. I can't always put my finger on why I feel that way. Sometimes it's because of changes in life, and other times I think it's because I'm anticipating changes rather than enjoying the present. I dunno, but it happens. And lately I've been in one of those slumps. Probably because I'm anticipating all sorts of changes coming in the next few months, and because I don't feel like I'm doing much right now that is useful. (Not to mention the bouts of inadequacy and worry that I sometimes feel when I contemplate becoming a mother in about 5 months.)
Anyway, I've been in this slump, so I have been praying that something in this meeting and in General Conference (next weekend -- I can't wait!) will help me somehow. That someone, as they are addressing millions of members across the world, would speak directly to me. That someone would address the fears and worries and questions in my heart. Well, tonight they did. And I fully expect that I will experience it again next weekend. Miracles happen all around us.
So here are some of my thoughts on the meeting. There was a lot of focus on keeping our covenants (formal promises made to God at baptism and in the Temple) and about serving others. The very first speaker, Sister Wixom, said something like as we strive to keep our covenants our feelings of inadequacy will cease. (I took some notes, but I usually paraphrase them in my notes.) Well, there you go, Abbey. Focus on keeping your covenants better. Be more Christlike. Look for more opportunities for service. Have more charity. Be a better friend. Get to know the people around you, and instead of focusing on your own needs and wants, focus on theirs. Learn more about the words, life, and examples of Christ and His prophets by studying the scriptures harder and attending the temple.
The next speaker, Sister Oscarson, mentioned that we will always feel inadequate when we compare ourselves to others, and that it isn't Christlike to be so hard on ourselves (or others). That kind of struck me. It's not Christlike to be so hard on ourselves. I had never thought of it like that before. She also spoke about serving others. I guess it would do me good to focus on my gifts and talents, figure out what more of them are, and use them to help others.
Sister Burton spoke about being a disciple of Christ. She said the best way to strengthen a home is to keep the covenants we have made. That was a welcome reminder. Of course it's important to strengthen your home no matter what stage of life you are in, but with a little one on the way, I've been thinking more about it. How do you show your children the love that you have for Christ, and the love He has for them? How do you keep them safe from all the evil things in our society but still encourage them to go out and find the good? How do you teach them to be a force for good in the world? You keep your covenants and have faith. And pray. A lot.
President Eyring spoke last. He gave the sweet reminder that our Heavenly Father sees greater potential in us, in each of us, than we could ever imagine. We are surrounded by others that are here to help us along our path home. Before this life, we lived with our Heavenly Father, and he taught and tutored us, preparing us for the challenges that we are facing now. It is always comforting to remember that we have God on our side and that He believes in us.
So, for me the meeting was filled with a spirit of comfort and peace. I'm sure that others "heard" different messages than I did, depending on their needs. That is how personal revelation works. The Holy Ghost can speak to our hearts through the words of others, and I am so grateful for that.
Next Saturday and Sunday, there will be 4 General Conference sessions, which anyone and everyone is welcome to attend/ tune into. They start at 10am and 2pm each day (MDT). You can find various ways of listening or watching on this page here. Past conferences are also available as text, audio, or video on LDS.org. Come check it out!
And, as always, feel free to ask me anything you'd like to know about Mormons. I'd be happy to talk or put up a post on the topic.
It's been a really long time since I've posted anything on here. So, I really try to read in the scriptures every night. The leaders of the church encourage members to hold personal and family scripture study every day. After all, God's word was recorded and preserved for a purpose, and that is so that we (His children) could have it and learn from it. Scripture study is really one of those things that you can always do better with. My husband and I have been pretty consistent lately, reading pretty much every night. We read at night because it's easier for us not to forget when it's just a part of our bedtime routine. I think I've mentioned before that we've been reading in the Old Testament this year, and that's been good. We could be better at actually studying as opposed to just reading. Like I said, there are always ways to be improving your scripture study. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it.
Anyway, my husband's been out of town this weekend, so I've been reading in the Book of Mormon the last couple of nights. We'll pick back up with the Old Testament when he gets home. I was just kind of flipping it open to choose where to read, but there were a couple verses that stood out to me while I was reading.
I read Alma chapter 26. It is an account of a missionary named Ammon who is talking to his missionary buddies and they are praising the Lord because of the great success they have had in preaching the gospel. So, the two verses that stood out to me are actually in that context, but the beautiful thing about studying the scriptures is that sometimes the words stand out to you in ways that are unique to you and your situation. The way they stand out to you doesn't have to fit into the storyline that they are told in, because in that moment, God is speaking directly to you through this scripture. That's one of the small miracles that we can experience through scripture study. I have had scriptures speak to my heart in very specific ways, and when I go back and read the same verse again, I realize that the words didn't necessarily match the message that I was given.
Verse 12 and 16 stood out to me while I was reading. They say:
12. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
16. Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
The last couple of weeks have been this really interesting combination of feeling so small and incapable at times, but also feeling so incredibly blessed. I can see the miracles growing in my life, including some that I am playing an important role in. At a particularly challenging point last week I knew, as Ammon put it, "that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak." I was forgetting to turn to God "for in his strength I can do all things." Verse 16 stood out to me as I contemplated the blessings that I have in my life right now.
I started this blog as an attempt to share some of the things I believe. It's an effort to show others what really makes me happy, and to invite them to see if it makes them happy, too. It's funny because I feel such strong emotions and convictions about this Gospel, but I sit down to try to write it, and I struggle. I don't even know if these posts make sense by the time I'm done with them, and it takes me so long to try to put my feelings into words. Ammon says it all at the end of verse 16. "Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."
With Thanksgiving being this week, the talks in Sacrament meeting today were on gratitude. I've been pondering it off and on throughout the day, and this short message from our Prophet sums up my thoughts and feelings quite nicely. I love President Thomas S. Monson and his inspired council for us today.
I am not always the perfect example of having gratitude. I have often been humbled by a sudden realization of my lack of gratitude for the incredible blessings in my life. I am trying to be a more grateful person. So, here are three aspects of this beautiful Gospel I am grateful for this Thanksgiving season.
1. Temple Sealings
The temple sealing is the ordinance through which we are tied to our families for eternity. It is only through this power that we can be together in the next life. I love my family more than I can put into words. They are everything to me, and I am so, so grateful that the Lord has provided a way for us to be together always. This knowledge is what lifted (and continues to lift) me through the trail of losing my mom and older sister. Knowing that I share this sealing with my husband sometimes brings me to tears of thankfulness, because I NEED him and I cannot comprehend losing him. Sometimes I wish I could just transfer my feelings and understanding about things right into another person's heart. If there was one thing that I could communicate in this way, it would be my testimony of temple sealings and what it means to me. I think of it, and my heart swells with gratitude.
2. My Savior, Jesus Christ
What can I even say about this? I'm not a great writer, and I have a hard time putting my feelings into words. If you have been reading this, you've probably figured that out. :) Here are the words of a hymn that expresses some of my feelings.
I Stand All Amazed
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and he died.
(Chorus)
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
(Chorus)
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.
3. Scriptures
We have this amazing gift of the scriptures in our lives. You can access the entire standard works for the LDS church online or by downloading the free app. We believe in the Old and New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants. We have the word of God, to read and to ponder. To learn from. That is amazing. Think of how many centuries have gone by where people had to depend on their ecclesiastical leaders to teach them what the Bible said. Now we each have the opportunity to read it, and other books of scripture, for ourselves. Do we take that opportunity? Lately, my husband and I have been working on reading the Old Testament, because I have never read the whole thing. It's hard and I don't understand a lot of it, but I am learning. When we read, we invite the spirit into our lives and homes, and that is something to be grateful for.
I have often turned to the scriptures when important questions are weighing me down, or when I am going through difficult times. No matter what my problem is, I have found peace in the scriptures. It is not always a direct answer to my question. Sometimes it is a reminder to trust the Lord. Sometimes it is a reminder to look outside of myself and serve others like Christ would. Sometimes it is a simple, but powerful reminder that God knows and loves me. Always, it is what I needed at the time.
Yes, we go to 3 hours of church every Sunday. I never realized this was so strange until I got older. I grew up with it, and I only went to other churches a handful of times. My grandparents were Lutheran, and we attended with them some Easters and for special occasions like cousins' confirmations. When it would come up to my friends, they would usually respond with an incredulous face and, "You go to church for THREE HOURS???" (Yeah, and we drove 45 minutes to get there.)
Our church gathers in congregations called wards or branches. Branches are kind of like small wards, and they are organized slightly differently because of their small number. Ward (or branch) boundaries are geographical, so you can find out which ward you would belong to by putting your address into this map.
We have no paid clergy in our church. If you attend an LDS ward near you, every person you see presiding, playing music, teaching lessons, etc. are volunteers. We are extended callings, or responsibilities in the church. Of course, accepting a calling or not is up to you, but those who are extending the callings are instructed to prayerfully consider it and seek inspiration. So, I believe that whatever calling I am given, it is because I am the needed to help someone or to grow personally from it. General Authorities (world-level leaders) are given a stipend because their church responsibilities make it impossible for them to work. All local and regional leaders maintain careers in addition to the hard work they put into the church.
Here are the three meetings.
1. Sacrament Meeting
This is the most important meeting. Everyone gathers together in the chapel, and the main purpose of the meeting is to take the sacrament. The sacrament is basically like communion in other churches. Water (instead of wine) and bread is blessed and passed to the congregation. This is our sacred time each week, to reflect on our Savior's Atonement, to repent, and to renew the covenants we made at baptism. We also pray, sing hymns, and listen to talks. The talks are given by members of the ward or branch. When a member is asked to speak, they are given a topic and a time limit. Youth (12 to 18 year olds) typically are asked to give 3 to 8 minute talks, while adults will usually give 10 to 15 minute talks. Some people are better public speakers than others, but I find that if I attend with a desire to learn something, I always do.
2. Sunday School
For sunday school, we split into several classes. The children and youth are assigned classes based on their age groups. Adults often can choose between a few classes the ward is offering at that time. Some common classes are Gospel Doctrine, Temple Preparation, Marriage and Family Relations, Mission Preparation, Family History, etc. Each of these classes has a manual published by the church with lesson outlines. Members of the ward are given a calling as teachers for one of these classes, and class participation is common. I've been attending Gospel Doctrine lately. Sunday school is a chance to learn from one another.
3. Relief Society/Priesthood/Primary, etc.
Priesthood meeting is for the men, and Relief Society is of for the women. Children ages 3 to 11 attend Primary, and youth attend Young Men or Young Women's. In each of these meetings there are prayers, hymns, and a lesson given. I'm going to talk about Relief Society, since that's what I attend. Relief Society is a sisterhood of women. We support and encourage one another. We are all about love and service. It is a beautiful organization. It is impossible for me to attend Relief Society, to sit in that room full of wonderful and strong women, and not feel the spirit. I am reminded of the divinity of my role as a woman, and of the love that God has for me.
There is also nursery for 18 mo. to 3 year olds during the last two hours of church. They have snack time, play time, music time, and a little lesson that usually involves coloring something. :)
LDS Church services are open to everyone. If you are interested in attending one to learn more you can find information (where and when) by using the map I linked above. You can also contact the missionaries who would be so thrilled to take you, sit with you, and answer any questions you have. We are asked to wear our "sunday best" out of respect for the Lord. This is typically a dress or skirt and blouse for women and a suit and tie for men. However, you would never be turned away for wearing something else. After all, my sunday best may be different than yours. It is a personal decision.
I love church. I think I usually did as a kid, too, because I got to see my church friends. Sometimes it can feel long, but if I go with and open heart it doesn't. I love the Gospel, and I also love the support system the church becomes. No matter where we move next year as we finish school, we will have a ward (or branch). There will be women who will become my friends. There will be people willing to help us if a need ever arises. Heck, if we call up the ward we will move into and ask, they would send over a whole crew of people to help us move our things in and unpack. And I'd be willing to do the same for someone else. We are not just a congregation of people who believe the same things. We are brothers and sisters, and we are all striving to be more Christ-like. Heaven knows we aren't perfect, but we're doing our best.
