Trials

Life flows like a river, deep and rich, without beginning and without end. Sometimes it’s so cold that I feel the pain of it in my bones. It seems as though I will be overcome as my mind fills itself almost against my will with thoughts of fear, panic, escape. And then I, amidst the swirling anger of rushing chaos, close my eyes. I let the river flow on and I stand there. I breath in the earthy smells of mud and grass and listen to the splooshing and sputtering of never wearied currents that spend an eternity beating against rocks that spend and eternity allowing themselves to be sculpted into the beautiful glistening smooth objects that I feel beneath my no longer aching feet. There is no more fear. The river is the same but I have changed, I have adapted.  The coolness of the water invigorates me with a sense of freedom that pushes me ever forward seeking the knowledge that saturates with every bend surpassed. I see only beauty as I watch sunlight dance and play on the water’s rippling surface and I wonder why I didn’t see it before.

I wrote this as I was pondering the trials we often experience in life. While we are going through difficult times we can become incredibly distracted by the pain and fear that often accompany adversity. If we can just take a moment and close our eyes to that which is distorted by pain in order seek out He who is all knowing and an endless source of peace and comfort, our vision will clear and eternity will lay itself before us.

Filed under: Uncategorized , adapting, adversity, freedom, growth, jesus christ, llife, nature, overcoming, peace, prayer, river, struggles, trials, water

Read Scriptures Together

I’ve been trying to find a way for us to be able to share insights on the scriptures in a format that would allow the pages themselves to be a method of studying the scriptures.  This is a challenge, because pasting the chapters onto the website would be a big project, and starting from nothing and expecting everyone to pick up the idea and run with it is unrealistic.

So when I came across a site that’s already doing it, I realized that all the work needed for the project is already done!  It really looks like a great site, and it’s a great opportunity to study scriptures and participate in a discussion about what you read.

I highly recommend that everyone check out readscripturestogether.com, and join in the discussions.  It is set up and controlled by Tom Johnson, a faithful member of the church, and follows the Sunday School lesson schedule.  It is fairly new, and this is a great opportunity to share the gospel and discuss it’s principles with other members.

http://readscripturestogether.com/

Filed under: Uncategorized , Book of Mormon, insight, lds, mormon, scriptures, study, sunday school, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, tom johnson

D&C 38:7

Filed under: Uncategorized , D&C, eye, magic, scriptures, see

His Will

The sun reaches out with arms of light,

dazzling fingers of blinding white

that peirce the black of endless night

with the frenzied power of fiery might

and bends it’s will to His.

The rolling clouds of thundering grey

claw at the earth in stormy play,

bending trees that stand in their way,

spitting winds of sputtering rain

and bend their will to His.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Christ, Jesus, LDS poetry, nature, obedience, photography, potential, pride

Mick Jagger Meets a General Authority

This is an excerpt of a talk given by Elder Gene R. Cook of the 1st quorum of the seventy at Ricks College several years ago. He tells of an experience where he sat next to Mick Jagger of Rolling Stones on a plane for 2½ hours, discussing the effect of rock music on today’s Youth. This talk is also recorded in a set of cassettes called 13 lines of Defense: Living the Law of Chastity, published by Deseret Book.

Sometimes young people have a feeling that the music they listen to doesn’t have anything to do with chastity. And yet, as I’ve had the opportunity to interview many youth in varying countries throughout the world, I’ve found that it is just not so. I believe, without any doubt, that there is music of the Lord. I also believe there is good music that men have created–some romantic music, maybe some good cowboy music, and just plain fun songs, etc.

Those can be okay. They can cheer you up and they’re fun to be involved with. It ought not to surprise us that the devil has his own music as well. That kind of music is found throughout the world and has a great impact on young people especially. Let me try to bring this principle alive by relating a true story that happened with an individual of whom you have probably heard. How many of you have heard of Mick Jagger? I think almost everyone has as he is one of the most famous rock stars in the world. Well, you might be surprised to know that I had about 2 ½ hours with him on an airplane and it was quite an experience. I’m going to relate part of that to you to try to illustrate this important point about selecting wholesome music.

Mr. Jagger and I were on a flight that originated in Mexico and were headed, I believe, to either Houston or Dallas. As I sat down in the plane, the seat next to me was empty. Later a man came and sat down by me. I noticed immediately that he was reading a rock magazine. I offered a silent prayer as I often do when I try to talk to people about the Church. I prayed that the Lord would inspire me in what to say as I talked to this man.

After the prayer, I said something like, “My name is Gene Cook. I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What’s your name?”

And he said, “My name is Mick Jagger.”

Not realizing who he was I said

Filed under: Uncategorized , 13 lines, adultery, atheist, band, Book of Mormon, cook, family, freedom, gene, general authority, Jagger, jesus christ, lds, lie, mick, morality, mormon, music, Philosophy, plane, procreation, rock, rolling stones, rules, safety, scriptures, sing, song, testimony, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, youth

Father Abraham

This is a pencil drawing that I did of Abraham from the bible. He’s holding his son Isaac. I wanted to portray the joy that I imagine Abraham must have experienced at the birth of his miraculous son. Can you imagine how it must have felt when he was told by the Lord,”In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.”? -1 Nephi 15:18 What an amazing promise.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Abraham, bible, drawing, faith, fatherhood, Isaac, LDS art, parenthood

My Temples

I love the temple, and have always had a positive experience there. It is so so SO important to go as often as we can. Not only is it essential to those we do the work for, it is essential for us to go again and again and again. I believe that everything that is said and done in the temple is said and done for a very important reason. I may not know those reasons, but I trust that Heavenly Father knows what is best for me. I trust that He works with those I sustain as prophets, seers and revelators for my benefit.

I have had incredible experiences in some of the temples. Such experiences have made these individual temples mine.

Filed under: Uncategorized , lds, mormon, temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Book of Mormon Insights

Title Page -

THE
BOOK OF MORMON
AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY
THE HAND OF MORMON
UPON PLATES
TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI

Have you ever wondered why the prophets in the Book of Mormon used gold for the plates? Why not bronze or copper? Surely they would have been easier to come by. I did a little research one day, and I found a jewelry website that gave a little insight into the reasons gold is so unique. Here’s what it said:

(Information taken from Man and His Gold, published by The Gold Information Center)

“Why Gold is Unique Of all the world’s precious metals”

Filed under: Uncategorized , Book of Mormon, gold, lds, metal, mormon, plates, scripture, study, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We Do Not Doubt Our Mothers Knew It

Alma 56:47-49

Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

As a member of the church with pioneer ancestry, my testimony is occasionally downplayed by unbelievers. “You are a product of your parents upbringing. You believe because your parents made you go to church.”

When I hear that, I think to myself, “Thank heaven for such great parents.” They never made me go to church, but they taught me that if I go to church, I’ll live a better, happier life. They taught me that if I did not doubt, God would help me.

I am a product of my parents great example and teachings. Because they taught me right, when I came of age, I sought to know these things for myself – and like Enos, I received the answer I sought.

Thank heaven for such great parents.

Filed under: Uncategorized , alma 56, Example, lds, mormon, mothers, Parents, prayer, raised, stripling warriors, teaching, testimony, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Dayspring

Click here to listen to the podcast –> Dayspring

Filed under: Uncategorized , day, God, jesus christ, lds, mormon, season, space, time, universe

The Second Coming: Part 10

The Work and Purpose of the Millennium

Behold, I will liken these kingdoms unto a man having a field, and he sent forth his servants into the field to dig in the field.

And he said unto the first: Go ye and labor in the field, and in the first hour I will come unto you, and ye shall behold the joy of my countenance.

And he said unto the second: Go ye also into the field, and in the second hour I will visit you with the joy of my countenance.

And also unto the third, saying: I will visit you;

Filed under: Uncategorized , family history, genealogy, God, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, lds, millennium, missionary, mormon, ordinances, Second Coming, temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, work

The Second Coming: part 9

Conditions During the Millennium

What will life be like during the thousand years that Christ reins on earth?

Both modern and ancient prophets have told us much about life during the millennium. We know “that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory,” meaning earth will become a paradise. What will that mean for those living on the earth? Here are a few of the things we know for sure:

1. Resurrection/no death or disease

2. Satan Bound

3. All things revealed and all prayers answered

4. No Sickness

5. Animals not brutal

6. No War

7. Life in the Millennium

The Resurrection

When Christ comes, the righteous, both living and dead, will be caught up to meet Him.

Gospel Principles:

“The Millennium is the thousand-year period when Jesus will reign on the earth. At the beginning of this period of time, the righteous will be caught up to meet Jesus at his coming. His coming will

Filed under: Uncategorized , animals, brigham young, celestial, Christ, devil, Doctrine, God, gospel fundamentals, gospel principles, hope, Jesus, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, journal of discourses, lds, life, lucifer, millennium, mormon, paradise, peace, prayer, resurrection, safety, satan, Second Coming, Teachings, temple, terrestrial, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Battle for the souls of men

I’m in a single adult branch and every so often my branch president sends out little uplifting emails to everyone in the branch. I thought I’d share the one he sent today.

“In a premortal council at which we were all present, [the Savior] led the forces of good against those of satan and his followers in a battle for the souls of men that began before this world was formed. That conflict continues today. We were all on the side of Jesus then. We are on the side of Jesus today.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Christians in Belief and Action,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 71

I think that’s really cool. Especially the part that says the conflict continues today. No wonder life feels like a war sometimes!

Filed under: Uncategorized

The Second Coming: part 8

Zion

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

Moses 7:18

The establishment of Zion is a major part of the last days. Before the Lord comes, Zion will be established. Though there are many spiritual aspects of the establishment of Zion in which we must become pure in heart, this discussion focuses primarily on some of the physical aspects of Zion. These include:

1. The city of Zion

2. The Church to stand independent

3. Zion as a place of refuge

4. Return of the city of Enoch

5. Two world capitals

The City of Zion

And righteousness will I

Filed under: Uncategorized , adam-ondi-ahman, capital, church, city of enoch, enoch, jerusalem, Jesus, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, lds, millennium, mormon, new jerusalem, pure in heart, refuge, safety, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, zion

Why Must There Be Opposition in All Things?

Excerpt from my Young Women’s lesson on Sunday.

Why must there be opposition in all things?

D&C 24:8

D&C 29:39

D&C 58: 2-4

D&C 136:31

D&C 78: 17-18

12 Ways You Can Overcome Sorrow and Disappointment

President Ezra Taft Benson (Ensign, Nov. 1974, pp. 65-67)

• Repentance “Sin creates disharmony with God and is depressing to the spirit. … Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Every law broken brings a particular blight. Those who are heavy laden with despair should come unto the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.”
• Prayer “Prayer in the hour of need is a great boon. From simple trials to our Gethsemanes, prayer can put us in touch with God, our greatest source of comfort and counsel.”
• Service “To lose yourself in righteous service to others can lift your sights and get your mind off personal problems, or at least put them in proper focus. ‘When you find yourselves a little gloomy,’ said President Lorenzo Snow, ‘look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, and then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated.’ (Conference Report, 6 Apr. 1899, pp. 2–3.)”
• Work “Work is our blessing, not our doom. … We should work at taking care of the spiritual, mental, social, and physical needs of ourselves and those whom we are charged to help. In the church of Jesus Christ there is plenty of work to do to move forward the kingdom of God. Every member a missionary, family genealogy and temple work, home evenings, receiving a Church assignment and magnifying it are but a few of our required labors.”
• Health “The condition of the physical body can affect the spirit. That’s why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom. He also said that we should retire to our beds early and arise early.” We should eat nutritious meals, get proper rest and exercise, and use wholesome recreation to provide a change of pace and lift the spirit.
• Reading “Many a man in his hour of trial has turned to the Book of Mormon and been enlightened, enlivened, and comforted.

  “The psalms of the Old Testament have a special food for the soul of one in distress. … The words of the prophets, particularly the living president of the Church, are crucial reading and can give direction and comfort in an hour when one is down.”

• Blessing “In a particularly stressful time, or in the anticipation of a critical event, one can seek for a blessing under the hands of the priesthood. … The sacrament will ‘bless … the souls’ (D&C 20:77, 79) of all those who worthily partake of it.”
• Fasting “Periodic fasting can help clear up the mind and strengthen the body and the spirit. … To make a fast most fruitful, it should be coupled with prayer and meditation; … and it’s a blessing if one can ponder on the scriptures and the reason for the fast.”
• Friends “The fellowship of true friends who can hear you out, share your joys, help carry your burdens, and correctly counsel you is priceless. …

  • “Ideally, your family ought to be your closest friends. Most important, we should seek to become the friend of our Father in heaven and our brother Jesus the Christ.”

• Music “Inspiring music may fill the soul with heavenly thoughts, move one to righteous action, or speak peace to the soul. … Elder Boyd K. Packer has wisely suggested memorizing some of the inspiring songs of Zion … [to help] crowd out debilitating, depressive thoughts.”
• Endurance “There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you.

  “… While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories and count the blessings that you do have with a sure hope of greater ones to follow if you are faithful.”

• Goals “Every accountable child of God needs to set goals, short- and long-range goals. A man who is pressing forward to accomplish worthy goals can soon put despondency under his feet, and once a goal is accomplished, others can be set up.”

Many problems may require only one or two of these solutions. These ideas can help you overcome sorrow, disappointment, despair or discouragement. D&C 121: 7-8

Noble characters do not alone bear trouble; they use it. Elder Hugh B. Brown

Filed under: Uncategorized

Women of God

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has
 enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough
 women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women
 who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame
 and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need
 more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough
 popularity; we need more purity."

 (Margaret D. Nadauld, "The Joy of Womanhood," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 14)

Filed under: Uncategorized , faith, purity, virtue, Women

The Worth of Souls

It has been said that every child born on this earth is Heavenly Fathers attempt to make a perfect human being.

Some would say he has failed many times.

But I would say that God does NOT make mistakes, and he has been successful every time.

Every child is born with a different set of circumstances, challenges, and fellow beings.

Jesus Christ has provided that for every person who follows Him, he/she can and will be perfect.

Filed under: Uncategorized , birth, born, lds, mormon, perfect, perfection, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, worth of souls

Being a Righteous Example

This is my talk from Sacrament Meeting today.

I was asked to base my talk on Pres. Monson’s talk from last conference, Examples of Righteousness(Thomas S. Monson, “Examples of Righteousness,” Ensign, May 2008, 65–68). His talk mostly centered on US being an example of righteousness. He said that it is our duty and our task to be good examples. The Lord doesn’t expect us to do it alone though. Pres. Monson says, “ If we are on the Lord’s errand…we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Never forget that truth. That divine help, of course, is predicated upon our worthiness. Each must ask: Are my hands clean? Is my heart pure? Am I a worthy servant of the Lord?”

Pres Monson talks about the boy in a stake conference who imitated almost everything he did. When I read this part of his talk, I was reminded of my two-year old. She is also a master imitator! She follows me around all day, saying everything I say, trying to do everything I do. At times, it can really be annoying, but it makes me think that I better be a good example to her. She will imitate me whether I’m doing righteous things or not.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Children, Christ, Example, Jesus, Parents, Thomas S. Monson

Joseph Smith

I love the prophet Joseph Smith. I love him for all that he did for us and all that he taught us. I love him for the great and couragous man that he was. He gave us the knowedge of who we are and what we can become. To me this is personal. My family will be together forever because Joseph Smith taught us how we can. Life has meaning, depth and beauty because he was willing to obey the Father and restore truth to the earth. His life was an unfaltering expression of love – for us and for our Heavenly Father and I cannot express my gratitude. I hope that someday I will have an opportunity to tell him that I love him.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Joseph Smith, prophet

Eyes to see

The light of Christ sparkles in the rivers and flashes like diamonds in the new fallen snow. The wind whispers His truth in our ears and wraps us in His arms. The trees stretch their great branches to the sky in silent worship as the celestial light of the sun glimmers on dancing leaves reminding us of what we can become if only we have eyes to see.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Christ, Jesus, Light of Christ

Train Ride

Life is like a train ride, and the train is traveling at a very high speed. Every few miles there comes an opportunity to transfer to another line, but because of the speed of the train, you often realize too late that you’ve missed a transfer that you’d planned on taking.

Sometimes you pull the cord to indicate that you want to get off at the next station, only to find after the transfer that this train is not headed in the direction you wanted to go. Other times you transfer to another train hesitantly, unsure

Filed under: Uncategorized , agency, career, choice, decisions, family, lds, life, marriage, mormon, ride, stations, track, train, transfer

Fear not

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. -D&C 6:36

One of the most exciting parts of the gospel to me is the concept of eternal progression. The idea of becoming a little bit better every day is so thrilling! I may not improve quickly and I may make mistakes but through the Savior I can overcome all of my weaknesses and eventually become more than is even fathomable to me today.

I think a lot of people get caught up in the fear of what will happen to them if they don’t live a perfect life. They fret and worry over every little mistake they make thinking that they are dreadful sinners who will never be able to live up to what is expected of them.

I believe these people are missing the mark. We aren’t expected to be perfect on our own. If we were perfect on our own we wouldn’t need the Savior and His atonement would be pointless. He knew we wouldn’t be perfect before the earth was ever formed and that’s why He came up with His plan. We understood this in the premortal life and even fought for this brilliant plan. We knew we couldn’t be perfect on our own but we had faith in Him that He could. He was perfect, He still is and He always will be. This means that everything is okay! If we just do the very best that we can and have faith in Christ, faith that He will make up for our weeknesses and failings then we’ll be okay.

Now I’m not saying that we shouldn’t feel remorse when we committ sin, that’s part of the repentance process. It’s part of recognizing the need to change. The problems occur when we dwell on the guilt and regret. Fear is not progressive it’s regressive. It’s not what the gospel is about. In fact fear is the opposite of faith. If we have faith in Christ and try everyday to be a little better than we were yesterday He will make up for what we lack and all will truly be well.

Filed under: Uncategorized , fear, mistakes, perfection, progression, repentance

The Scriptures are Like an Ocean

Behold, I say unto you that you shall let your time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures…
(D&C 26:1)

The scriptures are like an ocean; hundreds of thousands of miles of water. Most of us who have accepted the gospel are sailing those seas. Some have sailed in cruise liners and others in lifeboats. Some have floated aimlessly as the wind carries them while others have sailed to specific destinations.

Some have spent their lives in an effort to cross every foot of the ocean, and others have concentrated their efforts on knowing and understanding all the weather patterns of certain regions. Some have mastered the winds on the surface, while others have probed the abyss and submarined in the the deepest ocean.
Those who know the ocean best have sailed the expanse, studied it’s patterns, and plunged it’s depths. They have seen remarkable storms, vast horizons, and incredible sea life. They have worn out their lives in the study of these great waters.

How often do we find ourselves living our lives on the dry land, only occasionally visiting the beach to collect a few broken shells? The sea is too great to see and experience all of it in one lifetime, but lets be where it is, fully engaged in it’s exploration.

Filed under: Uncategorized , beach, lds, mormon, ocean, scripture, study

“…choose you this day…” -Joshua 24:15

“We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.” - Nelson Mandela (1994 Inaugural Speech)

I think about that quote a lot. As children of God our potential is limitless. We have within us the power to choose. What an amazing gift. What dignity the Father has bestowed upon His children in giving us this power. Each person, no matter who they are or what their station in life, has the power to choose. Even an infant chooses whether or not to cry, smile, kick his legs,etc.

With this great blessing comes great responsibility. Each and every choice we make has a consequence. Even deciding not to choose is a choice that carries a consequence.

I believe that each choice we make takes us down a path. There is the path of truth and righteousness, and there is the path of lies and wickedness. There is no middle ground, there is no grey. Truth is truth. What is true now has always been and will always be true.

The trouble is, lies can be twisted to look like truths and vice-versa. Hence the difficulty in making good choices, choices that will lead us down the path of truth and righteousness. But I believe that the light of Christ is in each of us and that it is this very struggle for truth that strengthens us as we seek to become like Him, to glorify Him. As we search, and ponder, and sincerely seek the truth it will be made known to us, the path will become clear, and our choices will make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

Filed under: Uncategorized , agency, choice, choose

Fish Philosophy

Imagine you are a fish in a pond.

While in school, your teacher tries to convince you that it is impossible to see through water. Of course this seems ridiculous to you at first, but then he stirs up the mud at the bottom of the pond. Soon the entire pond is completely clouded. You cannot even see the fish around you or the teacher. “See?” Your teacher says, “you are in water and you cannot see. Now you know that it is impossible to see through water.”

Some of you and your classmates recognize that it is not water that is blocking your vision, but the mud that your teacher spread in front of you that makes it impossible to see. You recognize that when the mud settles, you will again be able to see again like normal, because the mud and water will again be separated.

But some of the fish begin to feel confused and lost. In panic, they turn to the teacher for help. The teacher replies, “The only safe place is the bottom of the pond. At least there, you can feel something beneath you.” They follow, because they don’t know what else to do.

As the mud settles, they are buried in the mud. Their “new perception” that mud is the same as water is therefore confirmed in their minds, and they remain in the muck ever after.

Though unhappy in their new state, they pride themselves on their new understanding, wondering how they could have ever been deluded into thinking that what they once experienced was sight. They scoff at the fish above, swimming happily about the pond. They mock them, telling them that their childish belief in “Clear” water is just a tradition that their parents convinced them of. They say, “Yeah, we once thought as you do, but now we see what water really is. Sight is an illusion. You cannot trust your senses. The only safe place is the bottom of the pond.”

The wise know the difference between the mud and the water.

Filed under: Uncategorized , fish, lds, mormon, mud, perception, Philosophy, pond, teaching, water

My Lesson on the Atonement

Heavenly Father gave me a very powerful lesson on the Atonement once. My seven month old had Rotavirus. She became very dehydrated. Her doctor told me to feed her very short meals very often to help her keep the fluids down. So I took her home and fed her for 1 minute every 10 minutes. She was keeping it down, so I gradually moved up to 5 minutes every hour. That night, I slept on a mattress on the floor with her. I had small alarm clock that I set to wake me up every hour.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Atonement, Christ, Jesus, motherhood, testimony

Scripture Journal – 1 Nephi 3:11

Nephi’s experience with the plates teaches us much about accomplishing the Lord’s will in our lives. Consider the three attempts made in obtaining the plates. It seems that their plans got better each time. But consider the reason – The first plan was to rely on themselves and their own power and persuasive ability. Their second plan was to rely on riches, the material goods of the world. But the third and only successful plan was to rely on the Lord.

Filed under: Uncategorized , Book of Mormon, God, lds, mormon, Nephi, Scripture Journal, Scripture Study, trusting in the Lord

Moving in His Majesty and Power

D&C 88:47 “…any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.”

The closer we get to the Lord, and the more we are made perfect by him, the more we will see things as they really are. Recognizing the hand of the Lord in all things does not mean seeing things that aren’t there, but rather seeing things as they really are. To see a flower as God’s creation, to see a sunset as a type of His coming, to see a mountain as a symbol of a temple, is not simply an exercise of the imagination.

This ability to see things as they really are is a sign of how close we are coming to Him, and how far we are in the perfecting process. That is why “if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God,” (Moroni 10:33) because you cannot look upon anything without being reminded of His power.

Filed under: Uncategorized , beauty, conversion, D&C, doctrine and covenants, flower, God, jesus christ, lds, life, mormon, perfection, simplicity, sunset, truth