What Does Service Mean to You?

 

This question has been floating around my noggin for about a week.  One of my first thoughts went to my mom and poppers.  They were always serving our neighbors, by taking meals, fixing plumbing, sharing fish, fixing electricity or just stopping by to check in on someone.

Mosiah 2:17 then came into my mind: “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

Then 2 Nephi 2:3 came front to my mind:  Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed…and thy days shall be spent in the service of your God.”

Then I found myself back in the Matthew 25: 34-40:  “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father…For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink, I was a stranger and ye took me in:  Naked and ye clothed me; I was sick and ye visited me; I was in prison and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him saying, Lord when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee?  Or thirsty and gave thee drink?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and come unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Today was Halloween and I dressed up as a red Christmas elf.  Received quite a few smiles but I had a special delivery from the North Pole.”  The recipient laughed and was grateful for the visit.  Upon arriving home, I received a text thanking a Christmas Elf for bringing a blessing.

The original plan was to show up at work for our Halloween party dressed as an elf but as I was leaving the temple “What does Service mean to you?” Kept ringing in my ears.so my plans were changed.

For many years now, I have promised my Father In Heaven that I would serve Him with all my heart and soul.  Some days I fall flat on my face But I vowed today I was going to do better because for me there is no greater joy than being in the service of my God.

So, in closing, what does Service mean to you?  I hope that as you reflect on that simple question you shall have a desire to “…Embark in the service of your God, see that ye serve him with all your heart mind and strength…”  (D&C 4:2) 

For as James stated, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their afflictions and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”  (James 1:27)

Are we all not Prodigals?

 

In our recent general conference Elder Uchtdorf talked about the “greatest short story ever told.”  This story was told by Our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ and is found in Luke 15.  The story begins with, “A certain man had two sons.”  Many are familiar with the story where the youngest son leaves and as Elder Uchtdorf points out “In our day he would have #Livingmybestlife! #Neverhappier! #Shouldhavedonelongago!”  But then the youngest son found himself in a well of deep despair when “A famine swept the land, and he ran out of money.”  Quoting Elder Uchtdorf, “As the problem worsened, he panicked.  The once unstoppable, jubilant high roller now could not afford a single meal, let alone a place to stay.  How would he survive?  He had been generous to his friends—would they help him now?...The scriptures tell us, ‘No man gave unto him.”  Like this son I found myself “#Livingmybestlife!” and I found myself in a different type of famine with all my “friends” abandoning me.

We know this young man found his way back to his father who was overjoyed to see him, “placing a robe upon his shoulders, sandals upon his feet and a ring upon his finger. And ordering his servants to prepare a feast…”  But the elder son was not happy with this younger let’s say troublemaker being greeted in such a manner.  As I have been reflecting on this parable my mind went to the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, which is found in Matthew..

Elder Holland gave this address The Laborers in the Vineyard in May 2012.  In this parable The Lord of the household goes out throughout the day looking for day laborers.  He started at 6 in the morning, returned at 9 am, 12 noon and 3 in the afternoon hiring more workers.  He then returned a final time “about the eleventh hour, 5 pm and hired a concluding number.  An hour later he paid all his workers who received “the same wage in spite of the different hours of labor.”

There was significant anger from the first who had “Borne the heat of the day.” And many others who felt there had been an injustice served.  Elder Holland’s first point is that “no one had been treated unfairly…”  He then shared an insight he had received reading this parable, “My friends, I am not being unfair to you.  You agreed on the wage for the day, a good wage.  You were happy to get the work, and I am very happy with the way you served.  You are paid in full.  Take your pay and enjoy the blessing.  As for the others, surely I am free to do what I like with my own money…Why should you be jealous because I chose to be kind?”

I am amazed at the changes and transformations that have been happening in my life.  Some have brought great joy, and some have been painful lessons to help me become softer and kinder.  Throughout my career I have been surrounded by those who are “jealous of another’s good fortune” and then try to tear them down.  I was sadly one who had a jealous streak in which I felt I was very justified in holding onto, but I am learning that I am not “diminished in the least when someone else is added upon.”  Quoting Elder Holland, “We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed.  The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those…it is a mistake that just keeps giving. I love his comparison he uses “what a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment!...”

My dear friends, both parables have amazing points we can reflect upon to help us become kinder and better friends.  As we become “more Savior like thee.”  I hope each of you can find the time to sit down and read the inspired words from both these great men and the parables which inspired them.

 

Elder Uchtdorf The Prodigal and the Road that Leads Home

Luke15

Elder Hollland The Laborers in the Vineyard

Matthew 20

Heavenly Laws

 In Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21:

"There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundation of the world, upon which all blessings are predicated--And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."

As I have been feasting on our General Conference messages President Oaks message struck a chord with me.  His message pertained to the "Kingdoms of Glory."  Where he addresses our Fathers plan in which all His children come home to Him and live with Him in His kingdom of glory.

For many years my heart has been troubled with various things involving our returning to our Heavenly Home.  I have found myself pondering on the Parable of the workers and the Parable of the prodigal son and then my mind returns to Elder Uchtdorfs conference message of the "The Prodigal and the Journey Home."   As I have been reflecting I found myself going back to Elder Oaks talk and then to the scripture passage in D&C.  I have re-listened to his inspired words and printed out a copy so that I could re read his inspired words.

I have shared with many friends who do not share my beliefs that there is more than just "heaven and hell."  and how a loving Heavenly Father would not allow just those two options.  As President Oaks shared, "In my Father's house are many mansions."  That thought has been running through my mind over the last several weeks as I have searched for peace for my troubled mind and heart.

In this General Conference our beloved Prophet, President Nelson encouraged us to "think Celestial."  My mind immediately jumped back to August 20, 1998 when I was sealed to my beloved mom and poppers.  That day my vision became "Celestial."  President Oaks states,  "The highest destination--exhalation in the celestial kingdom--is the focus of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints."

In his message President Oaks made a comment that struck me, "...so that all God's children will inherit a kingdom of glory whose laws they can comfortably "abide."  He went on to share the teaching of Paul:  "The Lord's teachings and commandments were given that we may all attain the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."  Elder Oaks then stated, "That process requires far more than acquiring knowledge.  It is not enough to be convinced of the gospel; we must act so that we are converted by it.  In contrast to other preaching, which teaches us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something."  I know for myself the truthfulness of his words of "becoming something."  I am amazed over the years how the Lord has been changing and molding me to become more like Him.  How grateful I am for His loving patience when I totally fail and He encourages me to get back up and "try, try, and try again."

Elder Oaks then said:  "...We qualify for eternal life through a process of conversion. (The brethren have been talking a lot about being converted)  As used here, this word of many meanings signifies a profound change of nature.  It is not enough for anyone to just go through the motions.  The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account..."

He then referenced a passage found in the Book of Mormon, "this life is the time for us to prepare to meet God." In his talk he referenced a thought President Nelson had wrote in regards to the three kingdom of glory, "Mortal lifetime is barely a nanosecond compared with eternity.  But what a crucial nanosecond it is!  Consider carefully how it works;  During this mortal life you get to choose which laws you are willing to obey--those of the celestial kingdom, or the terrestrial, or the telestial--and, therefore, in which kingdom of glory you will live forever.  What a plan!  It is a plan that completely honors your agency."  Here is where my struggle began as I began to think about those I loved who with their agency has chosen to follow lesser laws with no desire to come to know about the beautiful plan of salvation.  I began to feel that each step I took to try and live a higher law would take me further and further away from those here in mortality that I loved and cherish but then I would think how I would feel not being able to live with my Heavenly Father and my best friend Jesus Christ.  The two that has always been there for me.  I remember when my brother made his choice to end his life I questioned, "why wasn't my love enough?"  Oh, how I would love all my friends to come home and live our Heavenly parents in the highest degree of glory if I could but as I learned with my beloved Poppers it has to be their choice.

I found my answer and peace in Elder Oaks closing remarks:  "Salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter."  "We have a loving Heavenly Father who will see that we receive every blessing and every advantage that our own desires and choices allow.  We also know that He will not force no one into a sealing relationship against her will.  The blessings of a sealed relationship are assured to all who keep their covenants but never by forcing a sealed relationship on another person who is unwilling or unworthy."

It is my prayer that all I love will have a desire to come to know our Lord and Savior and enter into an eternal covenant with Him but it is ultimately their choice.  But I also know our Father in Heaven has a plan and there is much that I do not understand and all that I need to do now is to trust in Him and continue with my journey to return to Him and be reunited in a joyous reunion in my Heavenly home. 

"Think Celestial"

 I recently listened to Presidents Nelsons Conference message where he has asked us Latter-Day Saints to "Think Celestial."   Me being me I was inspired and grateful for his inspired words but as I was scrolling through my FB feed I found posts where his inspired words had angered many and made them feel even more isolated and left out of the kingdom.  My heart was saddened as I read their bitter words.  

Unlike them in my dark days of inactivity I had no contact with the church and I never remember my family and I listening to or watching general conference, so them watching general conference each year was an interesting tidbit for me.

As I was reading their frustrations at the truthfulness of his words I found myself checking boxes:

1,  I'm married to a person who does not share my beliefs

2.  I walked away from the church for 20 some years

3.  I was raised in part member family

4.  I have been hurt by members

5.  I have felt that my Father in Heaven had let me down

Then I found myself thinking "Celestial."  

1.  The Savior himself stated, "anger and contention are from the devil"

2.  The Lord does not take away our agency we choose which kingdom we want to be associated with

3.  The Lord does not tear families apart

4.  The Lord will not allow His prophets to lead us astray

5.  The Lord never walks away from us.  We walk away from Him

My heart aches for these individuals who are making their choices and then blaming the brethren or Heavenly Father for their situation.  I for many years blamed the Lord for my situation.

I can honestly say that I found myself in the gaping mouth of hell for a period of my life where I had no hope and found myself filled with despair.  But even when I was in that dark hopeless relm my Heavenly Father sent me a life line which put me on the path back to Him.

One vivid memory I have is a near death experience I had in which I panicked because I was in no way  shape or form ready to return to my heavenly home.  But then something wonderful happened.  I found myself surrounded by loved ones who informed me that I needed to "go back."  I didn't not want to come back but wanted to stay there with them because of the love I felt there.  But as you can see I came back.  During that period I was nowhere near a "think Celestial" person but yet here I was still loved with a celestial love.

Many years later I had an experience that totally changed my life and I found myself walking on the Covenant Path and thinking "Celestial" many years before President Nelson's invitation.

As I stated before I was part of a part member family but due to my choice and my inactive popper's choice, I am now sealed to that family who is now no longer a part member but all in Celestial family that is truly when my vision changed to Celestial.

A few years ago I wanted out of my marriage due to the difficulty of me being me and my husband being him and not understanding our differences along with other issues.  The Spirit had other ideas and through conference talks I was told to stay and work on my marriage and as I followed the brethren and the whisperings of the Spirit we are doing better and better each day.  I am still very active and he is still very not interested.  But the Spirit has changed my perception and continues to guide me through conference talks and his whispers.

I have sat in meetings where I felt totally isolated and out of place due to I did not fit in the mold of those surrounding me but as I have listened to the counsel of the brethren and the Spirit I have learned and I have found comfort and reassurance that there are many mansions in our Father's kingdom and He has one for me as long as I stay on the Covenant path.

One of the lessons I have learned over the years is that I am responsible for which kingdom I choose to reside and in order to obtain that kingdom I must stay true to the covenants I have made and even though I have chosen to "think Celestial" and my spouse has not, I have chosen to place my faith in my Father in Heaven because just as I am a beloved daughter of His, my spouse is a beloved Son and our Father in Heaven loves him just as much as He loves me and he like me will have the opportunity of choosing where he would like to reside.

How grateful I am that no one can ever out run the reach of our Heavenly Father's loving arms.  All we have to do is to chose Him and amazing blessings follow.  I hope those bitter brothers and sisters in time, will come to know their eternal value to their Heavenly Father and of His great love for them.  If they would choose Him, He would heal them and they would come to find that He is the greatest counselor who utilizes His chosen Seers to educate and bless us.  He is not a God of contention and anger.  He is a God of pure love and peace and if you trust in Him amazing blessings follow.