And He Will Come Again....

 

The Living Christ finishes on the exultant claim that He Lives and that He will come again to rule and reign. 

"We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

"We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

"We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."

I know that Jesus Christ lives. That He is my hope, my life, my light, my song, my joy, my purpose. I know that as I prepare to meet Him, my life will be filled with faith to do my best in this moment and hope that the future is in His hands! 

Artwork link: https://www.tapestryproductions.com/product/the-second-coming-of-jesus-christ-artwork-by-ron-dicianni/

He Succors Me in Weakness...

 

In overcoming an infection, and trying out a new med, I have been experiencing a lot of weakness lately, which feels like my body and soul have been battered and bruised. There is One who understands what that feels like. Who knows the stress of managing a debilitating chronic illness, motherhood, and going back to school. He is willing to heal and deliver. He has come to save. He won't take away the trials of this life- no, instead He willingly set an example of choosing to take them on so He would know how to succor me. 

It isn't easy to trust in Him. This week, I have actively turned to distraction and worldly wisdom, I have almost been afraid to turn to God. 

Because I was angry. Because I was disappointed. Because I felt unworthy. 

Yet, I know He came and lived among us and suffered our sins and afflictions and temptations so that He would know what it feels like to be angry, disappointed, doubting worth. 

The Living Christ continues: 

"Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24)."

Because of Him, I am a daughter of God. He has paid for me with His precious blood. As His daughter, I have infinite and eternal worth in His sight. 

Can I repent of my doubt, and have faith enough to reach out to Him and be healed?

Likely not healed of narcolepsy, as amazing as that would be. 

But healed of the doubt and the fear and the anger?

Healed to let Him into my story. 

Artwork link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1636116956/woman-healed-digital-print-jesus-miracle?click_key=506d772bcccf438a42bede3af51d02ced7fd2deb%3A1636116956&click_sum=c18b6f96&external=1&rec_type=ss&ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-1&pro=1&sts=1

Easter Sunday Thoughts

 The living Christ continues, speaking of Easter Sunday. I am so excited to celebrate Easter with my family! I am grateful for the promise of resurrection that I have because of Easter Sunday. One day, my body will be perfected in Christ. I will be whole and clean and nothing will be lost. I cling to this promise on hard chronically ill days. 

"He rose from the grave to “become the first fruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4)."

Jesus Christ is my advocate with the Father. I think through the stress and emotions and sleep deprivations of trying out a new medication, I have forgotten this a bit. When I start to struggle, my pattern is that I get angry and in my anger and am unwilling to turn to God. Yet Jesus Christ is my advocate! He wants to help me precisely in these hard times when I feel cursed and unlovable. I want to remember to turn to Him rather than turn away. Satan would have me believe that my brokenness makes me unworthy to call on Christ. Yet it is my brokenness Christ came to redeem. His purpose is to make things whole. He is called the Physician. The Prince of Peace. The Light of the World. I need to let go and let His light back into my story. 

He Lives!

 As I continue to study the Living Christ as we move toward Easter, I am touched by the knowledge that Jesus Christ LIVES!

"He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world."

Like Jesus Christ, my life did not begin at birth and will not end at death. The glorious message of Easter is this: because HE LIVES I too will LIVE. I have the blessing to come to God, repent, to keep trying in this life and to continue growing in the next. Kelley reminded me on Sunday, every experience, every blessing will one day be ours as we are faithful to our covenants. As we are faithful to Christ. I currently write from our back deck to the chorus of bird song welcoming the new day, the new Spring, new life. 

It is because of Jesus that I too rejoice in new life! HE LIVES!

What I Believe

 I have appreciated the chance to explore my own personal beliefs. To write these down in meaningful ways. Here they are, in order:

I believe that God is my eternal Father, who knows and loves me throughout the ages. I chose Jesus Christ as my Savior and Redeemer and continue to trust in His grace in my life. I rely on the gift of the Holy Ghost to help ground me in my Savior and to turn my heart to God. (AoF 1:1)

I believe that my choices in this life matter. I believe that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ I have been given the gift to choose for myself, as have all those around me. I honor this gift as I seek to be obedient to God's commands, come to know God through the scriptures, and participate in the ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Joshua 2:24, AoF 1:3)

I believe that God loves all His children regardless of their background, race, religion, politics, gender-identity, sexuality, or any other earthly factor. I believe that His plan of happiness allows the chance for every child of God to return to Him if they are willing to humbly accept Him as their God. I don't know the meaning of all things, but I know that God loves His children. (1 Nephi 11:17, 2 Nephi 26:33)

I hold firm to my temple covenants and to the temple marriage I am building with Kelley John Ballard. I choose to love him each day, to encourage and uphold Him as the priesthood leader of  our home and as my best friend and true love! (Doc & Cov 131:1-4)  

I trust that God has trusted Elena, Allie, and Tae to my care because He knows my potential for goodness as a mother. I believe that there are many upon the earth who He trusts me to serve and that He has angels around me (seen and unseen) to buoy me up when things are hard.(Alma 56:47)

I'm intentional about only keeping objects that support my family in building a home where the spirit of the Lord can dwell. I find peace flows more readily to my heart when our home is kept free of worldly distractions. (Moroni 7:47, 1 Nephi 2:15)

As I seek to follow Jesus Christ, I find hope and faith in good things to come, even as I face life's trials. I strive to give patience and grace to others as Christ and God give these gifts to me. I believe in a Gospel that sees and celebrates the beauty in the people and world around me and I seek after the good, wonderful things that God has given to His children across the globe. (AofF 1:13)

Finishing the Articles of Faith and My Own Value Statements

 The final three articles of faith are as follows: 

11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

As I seek to follow Jesus Christ, I find hope and faith in good things to come, even as I face life's trials. I believe in a Gospel that sees and celebrates the beauty in the people and world around me and I seek after the good, wonderful things that God has given to His children across the globe. 

Continuing to Find My Own Value Statements

 I feel like the next articles of faith have much to do with the organization and structural beliefs of the church. Here they are: 

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

I trust that God has trusted Elena, Allie, and Tae to my care because He knows my potential for goodness as a mother. I believe that there are many upon the earth who He trusts me to serve and that He has angels around me (seen and unseen) to buoy me up when things are hard.

I hold firm to my temple covenants and to the temple marriage I am building with Kelley John Ballard. I choose to love him each day, to encourage and uphold Him as the priesthood leader of  our home and as my best friend and true love! (Doc & Cov 131:1-4)  

I believe that God loves all His children regardless of their background, race, religion, politics, gender-identity, sexuality, or any other earthly factor. I believe that His plan of happiness allows the chance for every child of God to return to Him if they are willing to humbly accept Him as their God. I don't know the meaning of all things, but I know that God loves His children. (1 Nephi 11:17, 2 Nephi 26:33)