Time Out for Women

Do you share all of this wonderful insight each week? Or is this a one time thing? I love it if you do! I read some of the articles today and loved them. Thanks for sharing them. Are you a gospel doctrine teacher?

egillespie

Posts: 3340

Posted: 11 Mar 2008 03:22 PM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

Allow me to introduce you to our Whit. Gospel Doctrine teacher? Always. Sometimes officially or as a substitute. She is the link queen of all link queens. AND she has great thoughts. AND she is funny. AND she is very compassionate. AND, (drum roll please), she has taught us all the invaluable lesson of TIMERS. That's right. She does not waste any time. She even sets a timer to her message board time! And she loves to clean house (we had her evaluated and she checked out but we are still seeking further evaluation...).

Uh, what else? She rocks. She has kids and husband. I think they like her!

ctr2002

Posts: 14241

Posted: 11 Mar 2008 03:41 PM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

Wow E! You really like Whit! :)

She's awesome eh!

E has lots of deep, insightful comments to add to this thread too. Another powerhouse is E.

ctr2002

Posts: 14241

Posted: 13 Mar 2008 08:15 AM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

I was reading 2 Nephi 31:19...

And I was thinking. I don't know if everybody does this, because I haven't spoken to everybody about it, so I can only refer to me. So the question I pondered was, why do I do something that I'm "supposed" to do and then stop and say, "well, I did it. I'm done. I'm just going to rest" maybe not literally but...

I guess I'm wondering what it is about us when we do something that might be difficult that we then expect the rest to be easy? Maybe not consciously... wow. Sorry if my thoughts aren't making much sense. They aren't to me either.

2 Nephi 31:19-20

19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

whitlarson

Posts: 5155

Posted: 13 Mar 2008 08:28 AM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

Hello corker!! I am currently serving in the Primary organization where I've been serving for the past 11 or so years. I love Primary, but I often miss Gospel Doctrine class so I decided to keep myself going by setting up this little group online. I am so grateful for those who join in with me!! Please feel free to leave as many comments as you'd like! The more the merrier!!

Thanks for the facetious letter of reference, E. I got a kick out of it.

Okay, I am going to actually attempt to post some serious thoughts today... from my reading... I know it's been awhile so bear with me.

The first verse that really jumps out at me in my reading is (31) v. 3. Once again - I LOVE the scriptures about light because in my life light represents such a healing for me. The scripture says, "The Lord God giveth light unto the understanding;" - I could spend a long time writing about that word, "understanding" but if you want some fun go work through the topical guide for it (to make it easier, click here: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/tg/u/17) ... I really like the concept of light increasing our understanding. It is very easy to picture a room in darkness and as the light comes on our knowledge of the room increases. I see this so much in my own life... as I let the light of the Savior come into my life I can see those corners that need cleaned out and I can understand more about myself and others. Light and understanding are tightly bound.

I also like the next part of the verse, "for he speaketh unto men according to their language" - the way the light brings forth understanding is specific to each of us. He knows us individually and he knows the language that we understand - the language of our spirits. I love that. I love the concept of speaking with the "tongue of angels (v.13-14)." As the Spirit comes into our lives and we gain understanding - we can then become teachers by that same light and understanding with the same ability to teach "unto men according to their language." Beautiful thought carried through this chapter. Such an excellent reason to not lean to our own understanding - but to live in, and teach by, the Spirit.

AND, starting in v. 13 we see how we can truly "follow [him], and do the things which [we] have seen [him] do."

We must take upon ourselves the name of Christ. Not just by baptism by water and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost - but that third part of baptism (see Moses 6:59)... being cleansed by His blood. We must repent constantly so that we might have that mighty change - see Elder Bednar's pickle talk: http://tinyurl.com/28b3tw. This also took me to Romans for Paul's testimony matching up so well with Nephi's.

v. 17 made me think. We always talk about repenting and being baptized... but I think that it's important to remember that we repent and are baptized and then we repent. I started thinking about what remission means in a medical context... Wikipedia says remission is, "the state of absence of disease activity in patients with a chronic illness, with the possibility of return of disease activity." I loved thinking of this in the context of sin and the remission of sin. The "fire and... the Holy Ghost" help keep us clean from the disease of the natural man thanks to the loving plan of the Father and the atonement of the Savior.

At one time in my life I looked at the strait and narrow path as confining. Now I look at it in a different "light" I suppose. I realize that commandments bring us freedom, rather than confinement. It makes me think of D&C 59 - "Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel; for they shall receive for their reward... commandments not a few." YES, the more we obey - the more we are given to obey and through that... more blessings.

And then, the end of chapter 31 tells us that we must keep pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ. We must endure to the end if we are to live with Heavenly Father again. This is the only way back to our Father.

And I love the final verse:

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

whitlarson

Posts: 5155

Posted: 13 Mar 2008 08:31 AM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

Thanks for the post, ctr... good thoughts this morning! I definitely think it's the natural man kicking in. I know that I do it. I am in the middle of visiting Ward Conferences right now - 9 wards and I'm getting to the end (two weeks left) and I'm starting to look forward to the REST... which is silly. They are so spiritual and so "good for me" and yet...

I think of the Apostles sleeping in the Garden... and the Savior saying, "Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."

whitlarson

Posts: 5155

Posted: 14 Mar 2008 10:30 AM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

Chapter 32 reminds me of a book I am quoting from all the time... Mary, Martha and Me - by Sister Camille Fronk Olsen... She talks about how if we put God first in our lives the rest falls into place... We will KNOW what comes 2nd and 3rd and 4th on our lists if we are living in the Spirit. "The words of Christ will tell you all things what y should do."

It also reminded me of something Elder Holland said last year in the worldwide leadership, "That triggers a thought that I remember from President Marion G. Romney, who said once, "I always know when I've spoken under the influence of the Spirit because I learned something I didn't know.""

I have had this happen to me on more than one occasion - as I am speaking to someone under the influence of the Holy Ghost - I will say something and in my mind think, "WOW, I never knew that!" But as I bear my testimony, I know that what I am saying is true.

I continue to pray for the gift of speaking with the tongue of angels... I hate miscommunication and long for that pure language which we will all surely speak someday. :)

Nephi's testimony at the end of the reading for the week is, as always, beautiful. He is speaking to US ("the voice of one crying from the dust") and reminding us that if we do not repent and endure to the end we will be condemned - because we have the truth.

In order to partke of the "goodness of God" we must study the Bible ("words of the Jews") and the Book of Mormon ("[Nephi's] words") and all other scripture ("the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God").... Don't you just love the scriptures??

verily

Posts: 1402

Posted: 15 Mar 2008 02:07 AM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

bump

I don't have time to write right now...too tired but want to tomorrow hopefully.

chapter 31 is a major missionary scripture. read many many times with investigators....brought back memories...

ctr2002

Posts: 14241

Posted: 16 Mar 2008 08:02 AM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

Thinking of feasting.

My institute teacher told us a story a bit ago about feasting. He has two little daughters. One picks at her food and hardly eats anything. He's surprised sometimes that she is as healthy as she is with the amount of food she eats. The other daughter eats with gusto, enjoying every morsel of food that passes her lips.

He compared this to feasting on the scriptures. We can read enough to just get by. To survive. To get the nourishment that we need to make it through the day feeling ok.

Or, we can eat with gusto. Savoring and delighting in that which we read. Letting it fill us up and nourish our hearts and souls...

Just thinking...

looney_tunes

Posts: 478

Posted: 16 Mar 2008 10:38 PM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

Hi Sisters. I had my post all ready on Tuesday, and my computer went kapoot! By the time I got it fixed, I was on to other things, preparing for my disability meetings this week. We had Stake Conference this week, so we will have this lesson coming up I think.

There were some key words that popped out at me during my study: steadfast, hope, love of God and all mankind (charity), endure, faith...

Because all of these key words are virtues that I have pondered as I have studied my beloved "virtue cards" I went to them to see what they had to say. I have debated whether or not to share them on this thread because they are not "gospel doctrine." But I decided that I will, just because I think they help me make practical application of these principles.

So these are some of the thoughts from The Virtues Project on these topics.

STEADFASTNESS

Steadfastness is being steady, persevering, and dependable. We remain true to our purpose through whatever happens. Steadfastness grows whenever we rise to a challenge. It bolsters our will to keep going when life tests our resolve. We choose a direction, then keep a steady pace. We are faithful and enduring with those we love. We commit ourselves to something for however long it may take. We are like a strong ship in a storm. We don't allow ourselves to be battered or blown off course. We hold on and ride the waves.

I am thankful for the gift of Steadfastness. It gives me the strength to endure.

ENDURANCE

Endurance is our ability to withstand adversity and hardship. We practice perseverance and patience when obstacles arise, open to the lessons they bring. We don't give up or feel helpless about ourselves. We hold on. Endurance hones our character and seasons our souls. Weathering the inevitable challenges in our relationships deepens trust and loyalty. It makes love abiding and strong. The early navigators who plotted their course with nothing but the stars became strong, confident sailors. When trouble comes, endurance gives us the strength to stay the course.

I am thankful for the gift of Endurance. It fortifies my will.

FAITHFULNESS

Faithfulness is being loyal to our beliefs, remaining firm and steadfast regardless of what happens. When our faith is tested, we stay strong, and learn from the experience. We do our work with meticulous care and excellence, faithful to its true intent. With the people we love, we are abiding and trustworthy. They know we will not abandon them or violate the sacred trust between us. Faithfulness through the changes and tests of time is a sign of lasting love. Faithful friendship is one of life's greatest treasures.

I am thankful for the gift of Faithfulness.
It makes me a covenant person.

CHARITY

Charity is a giving heart, a generous way of viewing others and caring for their needs. Unless we are charitable, no matter how much excellence we acquire, it is without purpose. Charity springs from cmpassion for the suffering of others, even those we don't know. Charity moves us, and we respond to their needs, giving help and kindness. we make a genuine difference in their lives. When we are charitable, we don't judge others. We give them the benefit of the doubt. Charity is caring made manifest. It begins with those closest to us and includes ourselves. Charity creates a circle of love.

I am thankful for the gift of Charity. It makes my life a blessing.

****************

whitlarson

Posts: 5155

Posted: 17 Mar 2008 09:02 AM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

Thanks to everyone who has shared. This thread will go for another week so that we can get back together now that Ward Conferences are over for most people. I have been a week ahead of my class for awhile, so I'm ready to get back with them. :)

sentimental

Posts: 2105

Posted: 17 Mar 2008 10:13 AM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

Sitting in Sunday School class and the enduring to the end topic came up...my feelings on this have changed so much... i used to hate this phrase...endure to the end...it made it seem to me that all this life was going to be was nothing but pain and misery and that it was my job to wade through it as best i could...it seemed unfair...but as time has passed i see it differently... it does not mean wallowing through life in a state of dispair hoping that things will turn out in the end...it does in fact mean pressing foreward...not just standing still hoping for things to get better....it means developing our testimonies and strengthening our faith to the point that we can pass through our trials with a sense of peace and joy because of the knowlede we have of the gospel... i now have a strong determination to ENDURE whatever i may be asked to endure because i know it will strenghthen me and help me to find joy in the journey....

whitlarson

Posts: 5155

Posted: 18 Mar 2008 07:49 AM
Subject: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ - BOMSG - Lesson 11

I liked your thoughts about enduring to the end. Sunday I had the thought that we repent, are baptized and when we repent again and again and again - that's part of enduring to the end. I love how the scriptures say, "press forward."

"Just keep swimming..." Okay, that isn't a Church doctrine quote - but I do like the sentiment. :)

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