Thanks to the micromanaging hand of God, I was taught the powerful formula of thought choice (THOUGHTS -> FEELINGS -> ACTION) before my mission by my dear sister and friend Valerie Dimick. It resonated so deeply within my soul that it changed me forever. She taught me how to discern between good and evil, how to allow Jesus to free me from the darkness of Satan's grasp, and how to see myself as Father in Heaven sees me - through the gift of repentance and study of God's word (given by ancient and living prophets). The gospel of Jesus was so intertwined in her lessons, I repented and changed forever. I was transformed. I thank Heavenly Father with all the fervor of my heart for such a privilege to be taught from on High.
In my psychiatric nursing class, we discussed the very formula Valerie shared with me those few short years ago. But the difference was vast in comparison. No mention of God, of Jesus Christ, or of the conspiring devil from whence lies stem. No mention of the Atonement and the power of the Savior to change our views of ourselves, the world, and God. No spiritual witness was born to my soul. Information was given and information was received. A mortal man's name was referenced and accredited for such a formula, but not God. I hungered for the testimony of Jesus Christ - for that is what carries such principles to the soul.
A similar sense of incompleteness was felt while working on the psychiatric unit of the hospital. To the patients ill with mental disease, I've struggled to keep contained the name of Jesus Christ. Above all other remedy, they need the Savior, His atoning sacrifice and perfect compassion. They need His companionship and support in this their suffering and ailment. The medicines are divine and given by God. Likewise, the principles taught in therapy are good and inspired by Heaven. But had they been taught and administered by the power of His name and His doctrine, its effect would be profound and eternal. But rather, no mention was made of the God who is so eager to help. No mention of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His everlasting love.
I experienced the opposite while serving a mission. I had the privilege of teaching several brothers and sisters laden with mental illness: Schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. The lessons were sweet as the Spirit bore witness of the Savior. They were therapeutic in nature, and we offered simple coping skills as do the therapists and nurses in the hospitals. But our lessons purged the soul and brought heaven into our hearts, for we taught the gospel of God's only Begotten Son. His name, we praised.
The Lord said to Joseph Smith, "Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words" (D&C 6:2).
President Boyd K Packer's words also ring clear when he said, “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. … That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” (“Little Children,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17).
The experiences roll on: I recently attended a leadership conference with a friend. My spirit was left wanting. The name of Christ wasn't mentioned once in the two hours of lecture. My soul hungered for the penetrating words received in the course I (and my fellow missionary servants) attended while on the mission. The course was called Launching Leaders and it was taught by a devoted missionary couple - who had worked closely with a world renowned leader, Steven Covey. How different an experience!! On the one hand - secular, and the other - divine. Though the same principles were taught, the power of the Holy Ghost filled our hearts when Elder Ritchie bore witness of Christ the Lord. Through the grace and mercy of the Savior, Ritchie taught, we can rise up and become great leaders. In contrast, the leadership conference shied away from bearing witness of Christ. Surely, it had the "form of godliness, but.. denied the power thereof." (Joseph Smith History 1:19).
If we, as a people, truly gave glory to God in all things, how would the world change? How would the hearts and minds of mankind change?
When Jesus reigns on earth again, life, science, and everything we do will take on a new focus. Christ's name will be glorified in all things! I can only imagine what celestial school or the education we receive in the spirit world will be like. Our learning will be enhanced ten-fold when it is intwined with His glorious gospel, when the teachers teach and the hearers hear by the power of the Holy Spirit, when the glory of God is made manifest in all of His creations.
My prayer is to make such a heaven on earth in my daily interactions with my fellowman. For His grace and strength, I plead for.
Father in Heaven spoke to me through the power of the Holy Ghost during these beautiful sessions of General Conference. How great have been His promptings and loving commands.
"Between 3 Nephi chapter 11 and 3 Nephi chapter 28, the Savior used the title Father at least 150 times, making it very clear to the Nephites that He was there representing His Father.In every way possible, He was His Father’s perfect disciple. He was so perfect in representing His Father that to know the Savior was also to know the Father. To see the Son was to see the Father (see John 14:9). To hear the Son was to hear the Father (see John 5:36). He had, in essence, become indistinguishable from His Father. His Father and He were one (see John 17:21–22). He flawlessly knew which way He faced." - Elder Robbins, Which Way Do You Face?
No greater example do we have than the Savior Himself. Do we talk of and praise our Father in Heaven as often as we should? Let us follow Christ’s example and talk of Him often and regularly! We ought to let Him be the center of every conversation, we ought to remember the atoning sacrifice of His Son, always.
Synergy is far more powerful than the efforts of one man alone. As Elder Wong emphasized in the story of Christ healing a man with palsy lowered from the roof, the scriptures read: "When Jesus saw THEIR faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Mark 2:5.
In my psychiatric nursing class, we discussed the very formula Valerie shared with me those few short years ago. But the difference was vast in comparison. No mention of God, of Jesus Christ, or of the conspiring devil from whence lies stem. No mention of the Atonement and the power of the Savior to change our views of ourselves, the world, and God. No spiritual witness was born to my soul. Information was given and information was received. A mortal man's name was referenced and accredited for such a formula, but not God. I hungered for the testimony of Jesus Christ - for that is what carries such principles to the soul.
A similar sense of incompleteness was felt while working on the psychiatric unit of the hospital. To the patients ill with mental disease, I've struggled to keep contained the name of Jesus Christ. Above all other remedy, they need the Savior, His atoning sacrifice and perfect compassion. They need His companionship and support in this their suffering and ailment. The medicines are divine and given by God. Likewise, the principles taught in therapy are good and inspired by Heaven. But had they been taught and administered by the power of His name and His doctrine, its effect would be profound and eternal. But rather, no mention was made of the God who is so eager to help. No mention of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His everlasting love.
I experienced the opposite while serving a mission. I had the privilege of teaching several brothers and sisters laden with mental illness: Schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. The lessons were sweet as the Spirit bore witness of the Savior. They were therapeutic in nature, and we offered simple coping skills as do the therapists and nurses in the hospitals. But our lessons purged the soul and brought heaven into our hearts, for we taught the gospel of God's only Begotten Son. His name, we praised.
The Lord said to Joseph Smith, "Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words" (D&C 6:2).
President Boyd K Packer's words also ring clear when he said, “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. … That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” (“Little Children,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17).
The experiences roll on: I recently attended a leadership conference with a friend. My spirit was left wanting. The name of Christ wasn't mentioned once in the two hours of lecture. My soul hungered for the penetrating words received in the course I (and my fellow missionary servants) attended while on the mission. The course was called Launching Leaders and it was taught by a devoted missionary couple - who had worked closely with a world renowned leader, Steven Covey. How different an experience!! On the one hand - secular, and the other - divine. Though the same principles were taught, the power of the Holy Ghost filled our hearts when Elder Ritchie bore witness of Christ the Lord. Through the grace and mercy of the Savior, Ritchie taught, we can rise up and become great leaders. In contrast, the leadership conference shied away from bearing witness of Christ. Surely, it had the "form of godliness, but.. denied the power thereof." (Joseph Smith History 1:19).
If we, as a people, truly gave glory to God in all things, how would the world change? How would the hearts and minds of mankind change?
When Jesus reigns on earth again, life, science, and everything we do will take on a new focus. Christ's name will be glorified in all things! I can only imagine what celestial school or the education we receive in the spirit world will be like. Our learning will be enhanced ten-fold when it is intwined with His glorious gospel, when the teachers teach and the hearers hear by the power of the Holy Spirit, when the glory of God is made manifest in all of His creations.
My prayer is to make such a heaven on earth in my daily interactions with my fellowman. For His grace and strength, I plead for.
Father in Heaven spoke to me through the power of the Holy Ghost during these beautiful sessions of General Conference. How great have been His promptings and loving commands.
"Between 3 Nephi chapter 11 and 3 Nephi chapter 28, the Savior used the title Father at least 150 times, making it very clear to the Nephites that He was there representing His Father.In every way possible, He was His Father’s perfect disciple. He was so perfect in representing His Father that to know the Savior was also to know the Father. To see the Son was to see the Father (see John 14:9). To hear the Son was to hear the Father (see John 5:36). He had, in essence, become indistinguishable from His Father. His Father and He were one (see John 17:21–22). He flawlessly knew which way He faced." - Elder Robbins, Which Way Do You Face?
No greater example do we have than the Savior Himself. Do we talk of and praise our Father in Heaven as often as we should? Let us follow Christ’s example and talk of Him often and regularly! We ought to let Him be the center of every conversation, we ought to remember the atoning sacrifice of His Son, always.
Synergy is far more powerful than the efforts of one man alone. As Elder Wong emphasized in the story of Christ healing a man with palsy lowered from the roof, the scriptures read: "When Jesus saw THEIR faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Mark 2:5.
No comments:
Post a Comment