Hold On ~ Part Two

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post may take longer than three minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on October 2009 General Conference talk, and it is called "Hold On" by Sister Ann M. Dibb. This post is part two and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

On the contrary, He knows your skill, He realizes your devotion, and He will convert your supposed inadequacies to recognized strengths. He has promised: ‘I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up’” (“Sugar Beets and the Worth of a Soul,” Liahona, July 2009, 3–4; Ensign, July 2009, 5–6).

"JUST HOLD ON, God knows what
he is doing." 

Heavenly Father has not left us alone during our mortal probation. He has already given us all the “safety equipment” we will need to successfully return to Him. He has given us personal prayer, the scriptures, living prophets, and the Holy Ghost to guide us. At times, using this equipment may seem cumbersome, awkward, and horribly unfashionable. 

Its proper use requires our diligence, obedience, and persistence. But I, for one, choose to use it. We must all choose to use it. In the scriptures we learn about another key piece of safety equipment a “rod of iron.” 

Disciples of our Savior, Jesus Christ, are invited to hold on to this rod in order to safely find their way to eternal life. ... Through divine personal revelation, the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi and his son Nephi were each shown a vision of our mortal probationary state and its accompanying dangers. 

... From Lehi’s vision we learn that we must take hold of this safety railing this iron rod, found alongside our individual straight and narrow path and hold tight until we reach our ultimate goal of eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Nephi promises that those who hold fast to the iron rod “would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction” (1 Nephi 15:24).

I invite you to read again the full accounts of this inspired vision. Study them, ponder them, and apply them to your daily life. In modern terms we might say we are invited to “get a grip.” We must hold on tight to the iron rod and never let go. ... Holding to the iron rod is not always easy. We may let go because of peer pressure or pride, thinking we can find our own way back later. When we do so, we are leaving our safety equipment behind. 

In Lehi’s vision he saw many who let go of the iron rod. Nephi says, “And many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads” (1 Nephi 8:32). In difficult times in our own lives, we may find we are also “wandering in strange roads.” Let me reassure you that it is always possible for us to find our way back. 

Through repentance, made possible by the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can regain and recommit to a strong grip on the iron rod and feel the loving guidance of our Heavenly Father once again. The Savior has extended an open invitation to us: repent, hold on, and don’t let go.

I, like Nephi, exhort you with all the energies of my soul that you will “give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things” (1 Nephi 15:25). Use the safety equipment He has provided for you. Hold fast, and believe that Heavenly Father will bless you for your diligence. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2009/10/hold-on

Stay Tuned until next time.

Hold On ~ Part One

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.

What is your definition and understanding "Hold On"? What does "Hold On" means to an immediate relative? 

Have you ever hold on to something that meant so much to you? If so, what was it?

This post focuses on October 2009 General Conference talk, and it is called "Hold On" by Sister Ann M. Dibb. This post is part one and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Sister Dibb has mentioned the following; "... While most of us will never face such a dramatic, life-or-death situation, many of us feel that we are going through a scary time in our personal lives. We may feel as though we are holding on to what may seem to be a one-inch lip of steel girder. 

Our mortal probation is not easy, and it is not brief. We are blessed to come to this earth and gain a mortal body. This life is our opportunity to prove ourselves and exercise our agency. We can choose to follow Heavenly Father’s eternal plan of salvation and redemption, or we can try to find our own way. We can be obedient and keep His commandments, or we can reject them and face the consequences that will surely follow. 

"HOLD ON things will get better."

Because of this, we too have a hazardous job description and duty. We must deal with challenges. We may experience loneliness, strained relationships, betrayal of trust, temptations, addictions, limitations of our physical body, or the loss of much-needed employment. 

We may be challenged with feelings of disappointment because our righteous hopes and dreams have not been met in our personal timetable. We may question our abilities and fear the possibility of failure, even in our Church and family callings. 

... These are just as precarious and real as the threat of falling 125 feet (38 m) to certain death from a high bridge. My life is not perfect. I deal with many of the same challenges. We all do.I know that the temptations of the adversary and the difficulties of mortality are ever present and beset each of us. 

... We learn and grow by overcoming challenges with faith, persistence, and personal righteousness. I’ve been strengthened by President Thomas S. Monson’s endless confidence in our Heavenly Father and in us. He

has said: “Remember that you are entitled to our [Heavenly] Father’s blessings in this work. He did not call 

you to your privileged post to walk alone, without guidance, trusting to luck."

Stay Tuned until next time.

Holding On and Letting Go ~ Part Three

     Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a BYU (Brigham Young University) Hawaii Devotional from September 2019, and it is called "Holding On and Letting Go" by Elder L. Todd Budge. This post is part three, and I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the Devotional. Elder Budge has mentioned the following; Now, let’s shift gears and discuss four things prophets and apostles have admonished us to hold on to that will increase our joy and our power to let go.

First, hold on to the Holy Ghost. 

President Nelson pleads with us “…to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.” ... The Holy Ghost is our modern-day Liahona. As we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost will tell us all things we should do. 

In other words, he will tell us what to hold on to and what to let go of. President Nelson warns that “…in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” ... It is a matter of survival. 

We hold fast to the Holy Ghost by honoring our covenants, repenting regularly and often, sincerely seeking guidance through earnest prayer, and then acting on those promptings. If you haven’t been very diligent in these areas of your life, don’t give up! Pray to know what you need to stop doing, or start doing to welcome the Holy Ghost back into your life. ...

Second, hold on to your faith. 

When we have questions, we should not assume that means that we are abandoning our faith. Not at all! Questioning and doubting are not the same thing. It is perfectly acceptable to have questions about the Lord’s doctrine, church history, church policies, etc. However, the lens through which we see those questions is the determining factor of whether our faith is strengthened or weakened. 

Do our questions come from the perspective of doubt, or from a willingness to allow the benefit of the doubt? 

... Conviction comes from the witness of the Holy Ghost that the things we do know and understand are true. 

Nephi acknowledged that he did not know the meaning of all things, but that he knew that God loves his children. 

Nephi is a great example of one who was willing to move forward in faith despite having an incomplete understanding of the meaning of all things. Hold on to your faith by seeking answers with a believing heart, in the places of light where the truth can be found, and in qualifying to be taught by the Spirit. ...

This brings us to the third thing to hold on to the word of God.

In the secular world, the first source we tend to go to for answers is the internet. But we need to keep in mind that the information we find there is often, in fact, misinformation, and is subject to the interpretations and philosophies of men, or worse - based on an agenda designed to manipulate the truth.

Instead, in seeking greater light we should go to the source of light and truth - the word of God as contained in the holy scriptures, in the words of His living apostles and prophets, and in answers received through personal revelation. ... I testify that there is power in God’s word. 

The secular things you learn here at BYU Hawaii will bless your lives in many ways, but if not understood and applied in the context of eternal truth, they will not be sufficient to bring you the joy God desires for you. ...

Fourth, hold on to your covenants. 

President Nelson admonished us “to keep on the covenant path”. He said, “Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual privilege and blessing available to men, women and children everywhere."

“Our covenants bind us to Him and give us godly power...” As you partake of the sacrament each week, review the covenants you have made and recommit yourself to keeping those covenants. Making and keeping sacred covenants helps rivet our focus on Jesus Christ and His covenant promises. 

I testify that as we hold fast to our covenants, we will have the power to live joyfully. However, please remember, the covenant path is not a path of perfection but a path of repentance. God’s expectation of us in mortality was not that we would never sin; if so, there would have been no need for Christ to sacrifice Himself to pay the price for our sins. 

Heavenly Father’s expectation is that we continuously repent as we progress down the covenant path towards him. In conclusion, let’s summarize the four things to let go of and the four things to hold on to in order to increase our joy.

Regarding letting go: First, let go of our sins. Second, let go of our guilt once we have sincerely repented. Third, let go of any grudges and forgive everyone. And fourth, let go of our will, and submit it to God.

Regarding holding on: First, hold on to the Holy Ghost. Second, hold on to our faith. Third, hold on to the word of God. And fourth, hold on to our covenants.

Neal A. Maxwell said, “With our steady pursuit of joy and with each increasing measure of righteousness, we will experience one more drop of delight one drop after another until, in the words of a prophet, our hearts are ‘brim with joy’ (Alma 26:11). At last, the soul’s cup finally runs over!”

I testify that as you steadily progress along the covenant path, holding fast to that which is true and letting go of that which is not, that you will find joy along the way. No, life will not always be easy, and you will have your share of trials, sorrows and afflictions; you will also make your share of mistakes. 

But I testify that our covenants, together with the atoning power of Jesus Christ will enable and ennoble us to find joy one drop at a time. ... On the one hand, there has never been a time in the history of the world where we have been more greatly blessed. On the other hand, Satan has never worked so hard to make us miserable like himself. 

... Hold fast to that which is of God, and let go of those things that will interfere with your happiness. God and Jesus Christ love you. President Nelson loves you and I love you. I pray that you will look to God and discover the joy that He has prepared for you. ..."

If you would like to read the whole devotional either now or in your own time, here is the link below. 

https://speeches.byuh.edu/devotional/holding-on-and-letting-go

Stay Tuned until next time.

Holding On and Letting Go ~ Part Two

     Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a BYU (Brigham Young University) Hawaii Devotional from September 2019, and it is called "Holding On and Letting Go" by Elder L. Todd Budge. This post is part two, and I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the Devotional. Elder Budge has mentioned the following; ...

Third, let go of grudges. 

In other words, forgive everyone. The failure to forgive others will rob us of joy and canker our souls. ... We need to repent of not trusting God to mete out justice better than we can. God has not only commanded us to forgive everyone, but he has commanded us to love everyone. How can we love the neighbor we have not forgiven? 

... I find it so instructive to view forgiveness this way. Repenting of the failure to love removes our perceived need to be the judge and redirects our focus to keeping the second great commandment. Letting go and letting God be the judge allows us the freedom to love others.

If there is anyone you have not forgiven, I invite you to let go of your judgment of that person, leave that to God, and allow yourself to love them instead. I testify that you will be much happier when you do. ...

Fourth, let go of your will and submit it to God. 

It can be very difficult to trust God’s plan for us when life is not going as we expected or desired, especially when our expectations and desires are righteous and are founded on true principles or promised blessings. 

For example, we may desire to be married but haven’t found “the one”, we may desire to have children but cannot, we may desire to be free of sickness and disease but it persists, or ...

The list goes on. In difficult circumstances such as these, we sometimes turn away from God rather than turning toward Him. Instead of trusting Him we may blame him or think He does not care. ... President Nelson said, “To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. 

But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you even miracles will follow.” ... His promises are sure. 

If we truly believe this we can rejoice in our yet-unrealized promised blessings. In the middle of the wilderness, long before reaching the promised land Lehi said, “I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice.” He trusted God so much that he was rejoicing in a blessing he had not yet received. That is a very happy way to live!

Do not let go of your righteous desires and God-given expectations. But do let go of your attachment to them as a condition of your happiness. Life is much more joyful when we choose to trust God and His plan for us. Remember you are free to choose. You can choose to trust in God and walk in His light or choose not to trust in God and walk in darkness. Trusting God is a lot more joyful way to live!"

Stay Tuned until next time.

Holding On and Letting Go ~ Part One

    Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 
this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a BYU (Brigham Young University) Hawaii Devotional from September 2019, and it is called "Holding On and Letting Go" by Elder L. Todd Budge. This post is part one, and I would like to share with you some highlights whilst I was reading the Devotional. Elder Budge has mentioned the following; "... I bring the greetings of our dear prophet, the other members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. 

I am sure they would rather be here today, but I am very grateful that they assigned me to come and represent them. I hope you had the opportunity to hear or read President Russell M. Nelson’s remarks to the young adults
of the church given last week. He expressed his profound love for you. He also testified of the love that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you, and of their desire for you to be happy.”

The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob taught: “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” Do you believe it? Do you really believe that our purpose is to have joy? Now I will add one word to this verse, and see if you still believe it. “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy now.”

Do you believe that God and Jesus Christ want us to be happy now, in this life? ... In other words, we will not be restored from a state of unhappiness to a state of happiness. This implies that the gospel is designed to make us happy now, and to prepare us for even greater joy in the eternities.

... President Nelson has taught that it really is possible to have joy in a fallen world. He boldly proclaimed that, “When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation…and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening or not happening in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him.

"IT HURTS TO LET GO, but sometimes it
hurts more to hold on."

He is the source of all joy.” President Nelson makes it clear that joy has less to do with the circumstances of our lives and more to do with what we choose to be the focus of our lives. ... Apostle Elder Gerrit W. Gong declared, “Together, our covenants and our Savior’s Atonement enable and ennoble.

Together, they help us hold on and let go. Together they sweeten, bless, sanctify, and redeem.” As I listened to his words, the phrase “hold on and let go” caught my attention. I began to ponder in my mind what we need to hold on to and what we need to let go of to experience the joy God desires for us in this life. 

So, let’s consider together some of the things I learned as I studied what prophets and apostles have admonished us to hold on to and let go of in order to have joy. First let’s consider four things we have been admonished to let go. ...

First, let go of sin. 

This sounds quite obvious but how many of us are still holding tightly to our favorite sins? ... To give away all of our sins we must give up the idea that following our way is better than following God’s commandments. Wickedness never was happiness. Which sins are you holding on to, or which sins have ahold of you? 

.. Resolve today to turn to Christ. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you and want you to be happy. Last week President Nelson said, “They will do anything within Their power that does not violate your agency or Their laws to help you…” Through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement we can become free of the chains of sin both large and small. Let go of the sins which rob you of the joy He and our Heavenly Father desire for you!

Second, once repentance has taken place, let go of any remaining guilt. 

The purpose of physical pain is to alert us to injury or disease. Likewise, the purpose of guilt is to cause spiritual pain or disease which alerts us to the need for repentance. Without guilt we would all be spiritual lepers oblivious to the sting of sin. However, once we have repented of our sins, we need to trust that the Lord has forgiven us and then forgive ourselves. 

Lingering guilt can turn to shame and rob us of joy. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “Sometimes, of all the people in the world, the one who is the hardest to forgive as well as perhaps the one who is most in need of our forgiveness is the person looking back at us in the mirror.”

... My dear friends, let us repent of failing to trust in God’s power and willingness to forgive us of our sins. ... If you have repented with full purpose of heart and real intent and continue to struggle with guilt, let go so that your guilt will not interfere with your joy."

Stay Tuned next time.

Hold On Thy Way

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

I would like to encourage you to ask yourself, think about and answer the following question either now or own time. The question is, "What is your definition of Hold on Thy Way?"

This post is on a October 2015 General Conference talk and it is called, "Hold on Thy Way by Elder Koichi Aoyagi." I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk and I hope you will learn something new. 

Elder Aoyagi mentioned, 

"We are warned that disasters, wars, and countless difficulties in the world will occur. When trials such as these suddenly come upon us, we may question, “Why do these things happen to me?” or “Why do I have to suffer?” 

I was able to clearly comprehend our Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation and understand anew this important principle. In Abraham, the Lord God declared, “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.”

The principle is that the God who created the heavens and the earth knows the grand design of this earth, that He has dominion over all things in the heavens and the earth, and that in order to bring to pass the plan of salvation, He provides us with many different experiences including some trials while we are on this earth.

"Put God first, regardless of the trials you face. Love
God. Have faith in Christ, and entrust yourself to Him
in all things." - Koichi Aoyagi. 

And the Lord said the following to Joseph Smith: “Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. “Therefore, hold on thy way for God shall be with you forever and ever.”

The trials of this earth including illness and death are a part of the plan of salvation and are inevitable experiences. It is necessary for us to “hold on [our] way” and accept our trials with faith.

However, the purpose of our lives is not merely to endure trials. Heavenly Father sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Redeemer so we could overcome the trials we face on this earth; in other words, He makes our weak things become strong, He atones for our sins and our imperfections, and He makes it possible for us to obtain immortality and eternal life.

President Henry B. Eyring stated: “The test a loving God has set before us is not to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us.” “Hold on thy way” is a key choice during times of trial. 

Turn your heart to God, especially when you face trials. Humbly obey the commandments of God. Show faith to reconcile your wishes with the will of God. Put God first, regardless of the trials you face. Love God. Have faith in Christ, and entrust yourself to Him in all things. 

Moroni makes the following promise to such people: “And if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ.”

I would like to encourage you to read the talk in your own time, here is the link.
www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/hold-on-thy-way

Stay Tuned until next time.