Doctrine and Covenants 121:9

"Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."
Doctrine and Covenants 121:9


I think that it is cool that God cares about friendship.  In the eternal scheme of things, non-family members sometimes seem unimportant.  The scriptures are filled with genealogies of how people are tied together, and the focus of the church is so much on families... but God cares about friends, and mentions them in a few places in the scriptures.  Christ and his disciples are one instance, where he called them his friends, and we never doubt that they will have contact with each other through the eternities. And Joseph Smith, who is the one being comforted by the Lord in this verse, also talked about sociality being something that lasts beyond the grave.  There isn't anyone who comes into our lives without a purpose. Today, let's take the time to nurture our friendships... they are one of the things that can help us through this life... and perhaps eternity. :)

Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
Jeremiah 1:5


Scriptures that make reference to our lives before birth are fascinating to me... I think that it gives me this overwhelming desire to be true to my former self... although sometimes I feel like I know very little about who I am now, and discovering who I was before this life is an even larger blank. Luckily (okay, more than luck), we have God there to help us understand a little of what it was like... or at least who we were and where we stood on some of the major issues. :)
I has a roommate when I was 18 or so who kept asking how things could be fair if God already knows everything about us... asking "what if I was a fence-sitter in the War in Heaven?"  How do I even have a chance to come out okay in this life?" ... although I think the question itself is flawed.  It's asked, assuming that God is out to get us, that he is as biased as we ourselves are.  I think that is untrue, and I also think that none of us were fence-sitters.  I think that is what scares me... not wondering if I wasn't quite all on God's side before, but having an absolute conviction that I was completely on his side, and wondering where my current fear and resistance comes from.  We have a relationship with God that stretches well beyond the boundaries of our current consciousness, which is one reason that God knows us better than we know ourselves, and we can trust that the things he asks us to do are things that will help us become who we wanted to be... even though we can't see everything clearly now.

Alma 38:12

"Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness."
Alma 38:12


The whole bridle your passions things seems hard to understand, and I think that it is because our human culture is dramatic.  Feeling things strongly and deeply... giving yourself over to the emotion, is seen as a romantic gesture, or an uncontrollable thing.  "Crimes of Passion" we hear in the news all the time.  I think that we come to believe that is what love is made up of... drama and uncontrolled surges of emotion... if we don't feel that, then we don't really know what love is.  But here in this scripture God tells us that in order to be filled with love, that we have to bridle our passions.  Not get rid of them, but control them, keep them in check. So, we have to revise our vision of love and emotion.  Obviously, God is the one who has it right... but how does that work?  Sometimes in our quest for drama and depth of emotion things can get kind of scary.  We do things that are completely irrational and even hurtful, in the name of love.  The very fact that there ARE crimes of passion attests to the fact that passions need to be controlled.  If we are truly filled with love, there are no crimes of love. :) ... precisely because we can't gain that love until we have learned to control the drama-seeking part of ourselves.  Something to think about on this fine day. :)

Doctrine and Covenants 49:20

"But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin."
Doctrine and Covenants 49:20


Isn't this interesting?  God is about equality, and things that make us "above" someone else in some way are contrary to his plan.   So, really, the whole world lieth in sin, because why else do some clothing lines and luxury cars exist? :)  Also, amounts could be called into question here.  Story problem: Me, walking down the street with fifty bucks in my pocket and Joe, a guy with 34 cents to feed his family with for the week.  Isn't there something just inherently wrong there?  God values each of us equally, as his children.  He blessed us each with a spirit and talents and opportunities... but here on earth we try to separate into factions and classes and cliques, for little more than the desire to feel like we are better or that we belong when someone else doesn't.  Today, let's try to equalize things a little.  Let's include someone we don't usually include... separate ourselves from the rest of humanity less.  Anything, no matter how small, will help us to bridge the distance.

Luke 18:13-14

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
Luke 18:13-14


This is interesting... that he who humbleth himself shall be exalted, but he who exalteth himself shall be abased.  Isn't it staggering how different the world's rules are from God's rules sometimes?  Two men go before God, and one is confident in his eternal reward, telling God all the good things that he does, and there are many... and then the man in the first verse here, not even daring to lift his eyes to heaven because he knows he hasn't done the greatest job.  Not to be cynical, but which one of these men is going to become the CEO of some major Fortune 500 company? :)  And then in this verse, which is justified?  The world seems to reward confidence and even arrogance at times, whereas God rewards us for recognizing that we have not attained what we need to attain... that we still have far to go.  He definitely doesn't want us to be without self-esteem, but he also wants us to recognize that we are on a journey of improvement, and there is never going to be a point in our lives where we can look at ourselves and say that we're perfect as is. :)  We're works in progress... and we don't know everything, hard as that is to believe sometimes.  You can't give time limits to God or set a goal to be perfect by a certain day, because God works in his own way and on his own time.  We have to keep an open mind, and accept what God has to give when he gives it... because no matter how it works out in our minds, his timing is always perfect.

Romans 10:10

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Romans 10:10


This, to me, seems to show the connection that we have to make between our inward and outward selves in order to be true and consistent in dealing with God... and all of life, really.  We have to have our heart involved, so that we are sincere and so that we can truly dedicate ourselves... and we have to have the mouth and the outward signs as well, so that we aren't split into internal factions... the heart and the rest of ourselves working against each other.  I think that is one of the things that goes wrong with us when we stray from God's path.  Part of us is wanting to go back on the path and part of us is walking off, and we start having severe internal struggles, until we can reunite ourselves again.  Also, we just aren't able to be honest with ourselves or others unless we have that kind of internal unity.  So, today... let's try to just be one person, and not change with the tide, time, or situation. :)

Psalms 3:1

"Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me."
Psalms 3:1


It is easy to start thinking that the world is out to get you, or that bad things happen in our lives because God is displeased with us or something... but you know, bad things happened even to the very very good in the scriptures.  Bad things happen to everyone.... it's part of learning, growing, and becoming who we can be in this life.  Daniel got thrown into a den of lions... Jonah got swallowed by a big fish and lived inside it for three days... Job lost everything he had, including his family.  If those men had given up when things got bad, there would be no story there... just as we slam the book on our own stories when we give up on the future.  Bad things happen, and they change us... and who we change into can either be better or worse.  It's only by our own choices that that happens... not by the events that occur.  When our hearts get broken or our lives fall apart around us (or both), it hurts, and it is an extremely unpleasant experience... but we can't change it by wishing it away.  And it only makes the pain worse to sit there and re-live it. :)  Eventually, after a grieving period, we have to let it go.  The present calls to us with new opportunities, new visions, and potential beauty. :)  Let's go for it, no matter what is threatening to impede our vision. :)

Romans 12:18

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
Romans 12:18


This seems to acknowledge that it is pretty hard to live peaceably sometimes... but "as much as lieth in you" also seems to indicate that some effort is required on our parts.  perhaps today is a good day to put forth that extra effort and try to overcome those non-peaceable things in our lives. :)

Romans 13:5

"Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."
Romans 13:5


Interesting.  This reminds me of Maslow and Kohlberg... hierarchy of needs and moral development.  This scripture is interesting to me because it seems like it illustrates God's willingness to talk to us where we are.  Kohlberg's lowest Moral stage is the pre-conventional "Obedience and Punishment" stage... where "wrath" and the fear of the same would probably fall.  On the other side, his highest stage is the post-conventional "principled conscience," which almost makes you think this scripture was written with the theory in mind. :)  Whatever moral level we have obtained, we still have every reason to listen to God... and I think that it is cool that he talks to us so that we can understand, no matter what level or stage or age or country or perception or choice.  And, it's another reason why the gospel is so cool... because it is true right down to the roots, through and through.  It isn't shallow so that it falls apart on closer inspection... and it's just as true after a lifetime of study as it is at first encounter.  Better than most relationships, I'd have to say. :)  God is pretty cool to us... there isn't any better individualized education in the universe. :)

Matthew 5:34

"But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:"
Matthew 5:34


I had my students read a short story today in class... we read it out loud, and I was surprised when we came to some words like "damn" and "hell" and one instance of taking the Lord's name in vain.  I read the short story this last week and I hadn't noticed them at all.  There, though, as the teacher, responsible for the corruption of 18 year old minds,  I was more aware.  :) I wonder, sincerely, why we feel that we need "swear" words ... especially ones stronger than those uttered in class today... to punctuate our speech. Whether it is really swearing... trying to call up the authority or power of something else to back up our words, or whether it is trying to emphasize what we are saying, or even when it is just filler, to fill up the voids in our conversation or thought processes, isn't most of it needless?  I wonder what we would say if we took the time to control our speech a little more. It's like verse forms.  If you put some restrictions on the poetry you write, instead of limiting what you can say, it usually makes you think more about it, and what comes out is more powerful than if you just let it tumble out.  Maybe our day to day lives could be like that if we actually took the time to think about what we were saying.  Our speech would not only be more artistic, but more deliberate... when we said something, people wouldn't need us to swear to back up what we were saying, or to fill in any gaps. We'd be communicating complete thoughts rather than tenuous opinions that change the more we think about them. :)

Psalms 107:4-6

"They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses."
Psalms 107:4-6


Life is difficult to face sometimes.  We become lost and alone... or we get hungry and thirsty, or all of the above and more. :)  But no matter what unique circumstances we are in, God can deliver us.  Sometimes it is easier to call on God when bad things are happening to us... maybe we're less distracted by trivial things, or maybe our minds take hold of that last hope... but hope it is, and when we call on him, he will help us not to be distressed. :)  Life is always better when we keep God in the loop.

Isaiah 43:19

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:19


Nothing is too hard for the Lord.  We stall sometimes in our lives, thinking that we are lost, or that we are too far into the desert to ever make it out again alive.  But the Lord provides for us even then, giving us a path to lead us to safety and water to relieve our thirst... Someday we'll realize that what we were seeking all along was God... that he is that missing part of ourselves that pains us with its absence.  And when we realize that, then we won't have to be lost or thirsty anymore, or ever again.

Isaiah 43:16

"Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters."
Isaiah 43:16


Can you imagine trying to make a path in the ocean?  Anchored buoys perhaps? Even then, in the ocean I think you would have a hard time getting them to stay in place, or finding a long enough chain for the buoys... affording that many, etc.  Not to mention the whole concept of who will use your path and where is it headed? :)  I think that part is even more amazing, actually.  God brought people to the Americas and populated the continent... Jaredites and Nephites/Lamanites.  He got a great fish to swallow Jonah, and then spit him out.  He can control every aspect of life, and yet he refrains himself and allows us our freedom of choice and action... so that we will grow up and learn to be self-governing individuals.  Just as God makes pathways in the sea, he makes pathways for our ever-shifting lives.  He knows how to lead us even in the conflicts and fluctuations of our lives. Which is a very good thing. :)  Sometimes we worry that we've wandered too far off the path, and that there is no way to get back on now... but that is never true.  God takes all of our life circumstances into consideration, and creates a path for us... which is there whenever we reach out for it, no matter how far we have strayed previously.

Luke 6:42

"Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye."
Luke 6:42


Our focus switches to other people sometimes I think because it is harder to examine our own lives... harder to observe our own faults.  We are harsh judges, and it is easier to turn that scathing eye outward than inward.  It's easier to believe that someone else is screwing up our lives, or someone else caused the problem, or just to minutely examine someone else's psychological or spiritual health rather than our own.  God reminds us here though, that we can't truly help anyone else until we become better people... so that when we try to help we do help instead of ruining everything.  When we are walking around in our lives criticizing other people, then we always, always have a bigger problem than they do.  Believing that we are perfect and don't need to change is a much harder self-deception to overcome than whatever it is we are observing in someone else.  Today, let's focus on our own beams... we can address the motes after we're perfect. :)

Luke 6:24

"But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation."
Luke 6:24


Sometimes the gospel perspective seems to be so foreign to "rational" thought.  Take this scripture for example.  It is basically saying that it is too bad if you are rich because you have been rewarded and don't have your reward to look forward to. :)  In a world full of the philosophy of "now," that is difficult to understand.  A similar (to me) thing happens to me in traffic sometimes.  I'll be driving down the road, thinking about how to jockey for position, how to get in front of this or that car... and then I will realize that God blessed me with the bus or the minivan or whoever it is in front of me, to get me to slow down and to keep me safe.  It's such a change in viewpoint that I have to laugh at myself for actually caring whether I am three car lengths ahead of where I am or not.  Today, let's stop and try to consider God's ways... maybe it will help us bring our lives more into focus and into perspective. :)

1 Peter 4:9

"Use hospitality one to another without grudging."
1 Peter 4:9


Grudging... ick. :)  I'm not sure if it means holding a grudge or just resenting having to be nice, but either way is yucky.  I wonder why it is so hard to be nice sometimes... because it is, I know.  It's almost always easy to be nice to the people we love, but since we aren't perfect at loving everyone, and we just aren't perfect at a lot of things, sometimes it is hard.  So maybe one of the things that we need to do is just to practice being hospitable and nice, even when we don't much feel like it.  And practice not grumbling about it later. :)  So many problems in this world would be solved or lessened if we could let go of past offenses.  It's difficult... to let go, to trust again, to find something else to bond us together rather than a mutual enemy... but we can do it, we can learn to leave the past in the past and work toward a better future.  We just have to practice. :)

Luke 6:29

"And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also."
Luke 6:29


This is interesting.  I don't know if this is a cultural thing or just a me thing, but whenever there is a possibility that I could be "taken advantage of" I get kind of anti-people.  I don't want to buy a car at a dealership because I assume that they will be trying to rip me off... things like that.  I could elaborate, but then this would be a personal essay rather than the scripture of the day. :)  Anyway, today this scripture made me think about that, and I think that God is trying to tell us not to worry about people trying to rip us off... If they do, then let them have whatever they need.  Perhaps they need it more than you do.  But more than that, and even if they don't need it at all... we are hurting ourselves when we throw up walls against other people.  We need to be able to love the car salesman just as much as we love anyone else, and we can't do that if we are paranoid and distrustful of them.  Again, it is about risk and vulnerability.  We have to allow ourselves the possibility of being hurt in order to set sail to discover new lands.  Yes, the crew might mutiny... yes, the boat might leak... there are a thousand things that could happen, some more likely than others... but if we spend our whole lives trying to build walls to protect ourselves, we'll never find the promised land... we'll never even begin the journey.  Sometimes we *will* get embarrassed, and fail... but we learn from those things and go on, they aren't the end of the world, or even the end of the journey.  I think that part of my ideal for a long time has been to find safety and refuge from the world, but that is getting it backwards.  I can't be out there trying to protect myself from the lessons that I should be learning... and saving myself from the journey that I need to take.  Instead, I should accept the bad with the good, and keep going towards my destination.  Anyway, I could go on... but then this would be a dissertation and not the scripture of the day. :)

1 Chronicles 4:10

"And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!  And God granted him that which he requested."
1 Chronicles 4:10


I think that this scripture kind of teaches us what to ask for.  Jabez and Abraham seem similar to me in what they prayed for, and in the fact that they prayed at all.  It takes some measure of humility to just admit that God is there and that you need his help.  Abraham covenanted with God for land, posterity, and priesthood power.  Jabez requested similar things, but the differences are interesting.  I wonder if he wanted to be kept from doing evil, or just kept away from it. :)  And "enlarge my coast" could be interpreted many ways.  Could be land, could be posterity... could be an entreaty to enlarge his comfort zone. :)  Or safety... the safety of the shore.  I think, actually, that the most interesting part of this entreaty is not the content of the prayer, but the fact that he prayed and that God granted his petition.  Think about what God did for the Brother of Jared when he prayed, or Moses when he prayed, or Noah... Humility, Faith, and asking for good things.  It works. :)  Sometimes I think that we fail to ask God for what we need because we either thing that we can swing it ourselves, or we assume that God is too busy or too displeased with us to listen.  But God always listens, and answers when the time is right.  We just have to be bold enough to ask, like Jabez... like Abraham.  He is our father, after all. :)

Ezekiel 38:10

"Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought."
Ezekiel 38:10


I know that I should probably be used to God being amazing, but this just boggled my mind as I read it.  This chapter is talking about the gathering of Israel and the war of Gog and Magog against Israel in the last days, and here God predicts that Gog will think an evil thought. :)  And, really, not only that because he goes on detailing what that thought will be and all the things that will happen because of it.  And he knew all of this zillions of years ago (if time existed at all of course).  Somehow when God is predicting what people will be thinking it becomes more real than theoretical to me. :)  It also helps me to see the immense gap between God's understanding and my own.  Sometimes I don't fully comprehend the difference and I start wondering why God can't just come out and explain things. :) But at times like this, when I feel the gap, then I know that he is wise to not overwhelm me by trying to explain everything. :)  Just like I can't explain Bloom's Taxonomy to my less-than-two-year-old nephew, God can't explain Advanced Creation Application to me.  I won't get it until I learn a lot more about myself and about the world I live in.  There are some answers that we have to find out for ourselves, the journey is the lesson. Hopefully I will remember this for a longer period of time and not get overly frustrated again at my lack of understanding. :)

Mosiah 27:14

"And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore , for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayer of his servants might be answered according to their faith."
Mosiah 27:14


Isn't it interesting that the Lord intervened in Alma the Younger's life, not because he himself had prayed to know the truth or attempted to understand, but because his father and the rest of the people were praying for him?  It's exceptionally cool that instead of writing him off and deciding that he was doomed that they kept praying, not only for the church he was trying to destroy, but for him.  I wonder if I do as well in my life.  Do I write people off, thinking they don't want to change, without petitioning God for them?  Sometimes we probably even write ourselves off without considering God's power to change our lives... to change our lives at any point.  Alma the Younger was actively trying to destroy the church, and because of the prayers of so many people, God sent an angel to him and he was converted and changed utterly.  We can change, no matter where we are... and Alma the Elder's example is a remarkable reason to pray for the people that we love.  God can soften hearts and change lives even when we can't do a thing.

Doctrine and Covenants 109:14-15

"And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of the best books, and that they may seek learning even by study, and also by faith, as thou hast said;
And that they may grow up in thee, and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost, and be organized according to thy laws, and be prepared to obtain every needful thing."
Doctrine and Covenants 109:14-15


I think it is cool that God wants us to learn.  He doesn't gain our devotion by keeping us in the dark or by making sure that we don't find out the truth. :)  He wants us to walk in the light, and find all the truth, because he knows that it will bring us closer to him.  He has nothing to hide or to be afraid of. :)  Also... in the second verse, can you imagine what "a fulness of the Holy Ghost" would offer?  We know that the Holy Ghost helps us to remember things and identifies truth when we come across it... if we had a fulness of the Holy Ghost, would we know all truth and have perfect memories? :)  Interesting as well that we have to be prepared to obtain every needful thing... I think that there are some things that God wants to give us that would overwhelm us or confuse us now, but as we learn more and more, we will be more and more ready to receive those gifts. :)  Sounds like a really good reason to continue to learn. :)

Romans 12:17

"Recompense no man evil for evil.  Provide things honest in the sight of all men."
Romans 12:17


This verse makes it pretty hard to justify misdeeds. :)  It is easy to behave badly and claim that "they started it" or that we're just reacting to someone else's actions. :)  We figure if someone else can do it that we should be able to as well.  Fortunately for us, it doesn't work that way. Christ showed the example there... he had the power to do anything that he wanted to the people that were trying to hurt and kill him, and he didn't seek their deaths.  He never returned evil to anyone, no matter how much was flung at him.  We don't have to become evil when other people present evil to us.  We can react in a good way instead.  The other part... things honest in the sight of all men.  That helps us to not justify things like "well, *I* don't think it is bad." :)  It helps us get away from private interpretation and perhaps be more honest than we would be with only ourselves around. :)

Matthew 5:16

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16


One of my friends who runs a religious site on the Internet emailed me the other day regarding the recent controversy in the US about having God intricately intertwined in some of our Nation's traditions.  It was interesting because that day we had sung "The Star-Spangled Banner" in church, which talks about the "heav'n rescued land" and attributes the preservation of our Nation to God.  This scripture talks about letting our lights shine... sharing our light with others, but also makes it clear who is the source of the light. :)  God is behind our light and our goodness. :)  As we strive to build communities which embrace truth and light, let's remember who the author of all truth is.

Psalms 106:11-12

"And the waters covered their enemies: there was not a one of them left.
Then believed they his words; they sang his praise."
Psalms 106:11-12


It seems like God proves himself over and over again to us, but we still can't piece together than he really is there. :)  We doubt in the face of mountains of evidence. :)  The Israelites were saved from slavery and from the horror of battle by a clear miracle... and still, in the verse following our selection, they forget him all over again.  Why, I wonder, is it so hard for us to believe and trust?  I think one of the reasons is that we have to work for it. :)  We want every moment with God to be like the miracle at the Red Sea... dramatic, saving us from something that we can't handle.  The minute God saves us we start thinking about the next thing he can save us from. :)  Instead of working towards a goal, we goof off, neglect our responsibilities, and then we wonder why God didn't step in and save us from ourselves yet again.  God isn't going to protect us from life... because we are here for a reason.  He wants to teach us, not shelter us from learning. And yet, over and over again, he does give us the miracles.  The second and ninety-fifth chances... the clean slate to start over again.  He does everything to help us learn... but sometimes we just don't want to learn. We just want to stay in our little comfort zones where we don't have to deal with anything difficult.  So that is the question then... who do we want to be?  Are we going to take the challenge and learn all that we can, or are we going to attempt to stay the way we are?  Choices are scary, but necessary, as we become more than we are.

Alma 32:37-38

"And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up and bring forth fruit unto us.  And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.
But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out."
Alma 32:37-38


In college I used to have about 12-15 plants all the time.  Before my mission they thrived... one tiny fern that I bought in the tiniest-sized pot they had at the local garden place grew up until it was the central theme of the apartment living room.  I loved those plants, and would always find someone to take care of them even if I was only going to be gone one day.
Something changed.  Now whenever I get plants they promptly die.  It isn't that the plants themselves are different... it is me.  I always manage to neglect them just a little too much.  These verses, and this whole chapter, are about the gospel, but using the analogy of a plant.  The gospel is always good, and it can grow and thrive in our care, building our faith and our knowledge, or it can die within us or become overgrown with weeds.  I think that we expect the gospel to grow to be part of us without our help sometimes... we think that if it dies within us that it must not be true or something.  But that doesn't make any sense.  We can't expect God to do all the work... give him ultimatums without doing any work ourselves.  We'll never get a testimony by demanding one.  All we can do is plant the seed... try the experiment, and see if the seed is good.  And we can't find that out without some concerted effort on our part to take care of the plant, to give it a chance.  It's the same with relationships... we think that if this or that relationship isn't thriving that it wasn't meant to be, or that the other person hates us or something, but the plain fact is that if we don't put in any effort, we can't expect anything in our lives to work.  We have to believe in ourselves and work to accomplish our dreams.  The same with the gospel.  If we give the gospel the chance it deserves, it will grow to be the greatest thing in our lives.  If we sit back and expect it to just suddenly appear and make everything better without any effort, we will be sorely disappointed.

Helaman 7:16

"Yea, how could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo?"
Helaman 7:16


We ask ourselves this same question sometimes, don't we?  It is hard to understand, when we are in the light, the choices that we make in the darkness... we hit ourselves over the head for being so stupid. :)  But that is exactly what Satan does... he works at obscuring the light, showing us limited choices, keeping us away from that truth that is so clear once we get away from the shadows.  Why would we ever listen to anyone who wants only our destruction?  We can come up with hundreds of reasons, but in the end, none of them is good enough to throw our lives away for.