This is the title of a church magazine article from the Ensign Magazine. It's by Rosemary M. Wixom (primary general president) and it really touched me yesterday in Relief Society(the women's meeting during our third hour of church) there I was dressed up with my son in his car seat in a brand new Ward. Nervous, anxious and wondering if my experience would be one of what I had at a different Ward where I was made uncomfortable. (And that is almost never the case with our church) Instead all morning I was talked too and greeted. And someone on the Bishopric even invited my son and I to dinner with him and his family. The teacher was wonderful and had many of us sisters read different quotes from the article. Here are some I loved:
"God guides you, dear Mother; you are not so much in the dark as you think. The path to be followed may not always be clear at once. Pray for light; do not decide too quickly, listen to what others have to say, consider their reasons. You will always find something to help you. … Guided by faith, by prayer, and by reason with a right intention, you have enough.”
“But He does not leave you when you have questions. When anyone tries to keep the commandments, the door is wide open. Prayer and scripture study became incredibly important.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said, “Humility, faith, and the influence of the Holy Spirit [will] always be elements of every quest for truth.”
“Here are truths I love. I can still bear testimony. I will just say those things that I know and trust. It may not be a perfect offering of knowledge, but it will be my offering. What I focus on expands inside of me. It is beautiful to get back to the essence of the gospel and feel clarity.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “Hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes.”
And finally it closed with referencing a primary song entitled a Child's Prayer.
Lyrics:
1. Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel it close around me as I pray.
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
"Suffer the children to come to me."
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.
2. Pray, he is there;
Speak, he is list'ning.
You are his child;
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer;
He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n.
The discussion really focused on helping those who have maybe lost their way or were on their way to questioning. And the teacher asked what could we do for those people. I then spoke up and said "say hello, you never know just how much that means to another person. I have felt so welcome here today and it's because so many said hello. I am going through a rough time and while I don't doubt my faith I doubt my own strength."
I have been having some transitions here in my life that maybe one day will be another blog but until then just know I will "doubt my doubts before I doubt my faith"
So glad you had a good experience!! I hope all is going well for you guys! We sure miss you in Brockport!!
ReplyDeleteI think of you often and wonder what it would have been like if you stayed in Brockport and got to know each other better. I miss seeing you on Sundays and hope your experience in church continues on a good note.
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