First Person: Eternal Perspective

I have been thinking a lot about the gospel–what it is and how to live it and how to deal with the ups and downs of life and so forth. Four scriptures have struck me in a juxtaposition that I hadn’t considered before. The scriptures are these:

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)

24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;
25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; (Abraham 3:24-25) (emphasis added)

And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. (D & C 122:7) (emphasis added)

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (Isaiah 26:4)

This seems to me a very basic summary of this mortal life–what it is for and how to get through it. First, the Lord’s purpose–to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Second, how the Lord will fulfill this purpose–by testing, trying, and proving man. Third, a reminder to man of what is happening to him–all these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good. Fourth, a reminder to man of where help is–trust in the Lord because He has everlasting strength. (Naturally, man means mankind and includes women.)

You will be able to think of other scriptures that fit in, as well, but these four stood out to me. Sometimes as we read and study the scriptures, we forget to look at the big picture–or at any rate, I do. If we can remember where we come from, why we are here, and where we are going, we can cope better with our current situation in mortality. We have heard those three questions so often that we may not even notice them anymore, but they can help us focus on our purpose in life and remind us to keep an eternal perspective, which is so important to doing well in our lives.

We all struggle with something–it will be different for each person–but if we can remember why we have struggles and trials and adversity, and do our best to learn lessons and develop strength and virtue from these situations, we will be progressing in our journey back to our heavenly home and our Heavenly Father.

It’s not easy, but that eternal perspective sure helps!

- Mary

First Person: “Before Our Eyes”

O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers (Mosiah 1:6-7)

As I was reading this passage the other day, specifically that phrase “because we have them before our eyes,” something jumped out at me. It’s not a terribly profound insight, very simple in fact.

In order to grow my testimony of the scriptures, or, in other words, to know of their surety, I do have to have them before my eyes. It’s not enough to just have them in my heart, relying on what I have read before. There is something in having the physical volume of the scriptures open to my view.

King Benjamin bids his sons not just to look upon, not just to read the scriptures, but to search them. Specifically, he reminds them to “remember to search them diligently.” I love that use of the word “remember.” How easily I do forget. How easily I get caught up in my busy life and grow lax on such a simple observance. It is all too easy to rest on what I already know and cease to seek for more from those sacred words, but there is always so much more to be found.

It was by seeming chance that I picked up my scriptures the other day, and perhaps mere coincidence that I opened to the Book of Mosiah. Maybe, but I choose to heed the message. I hope I continue to remember, and keep the scriptures before my eyes.

-Naiah E.

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Do you have thoughts you want to share on the topic of scriptures (or other gospel themes)? Would you like to write a First Person article for this site? Please see our Sharing Our Voices feature for more information on how you can!

First Person: “Fear Not, I Am With Thee”

It seems to me that in the times of my greatest need or frustration I feel like the words I pray to my Heavenly Father are falling from my lips and onto the floor. I know in my heart that I am not really alone during the winter seasons in my life, but it can sometimes feel as though I am. I am grateful, however, to be reminded that I am not alone.

As I left Provo, Utah to go to Portugal to be a missionary, I felt a strong sense of certainty that there was in front of me a vast sea of experiences to be had. I was anxious to share the gospel that I had been taught all of my life. With a renewed sense of urgency and confidence in my ability as a servant of the Lord, I embarked on my journey.

Articles and Talks about the Savior

Jesus Christ is the center of all we do and all we believe as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following is a small sampling of talks and articles about the difference the Savior can make in our lives as we come to Him.

David A. Bednar: In the Strength of the Lord

President Boyd K. Packer: “I Will Remember Your Sins No More“

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Broken Things to Mend

Elder David A. Bednar: Clean Hands and a Pure Heart

Elder Dallin H. Oaks: He Heals the Heavy Laden

Elder David A. Bednar: Ye Must Be Born Again

President Ezra Taft Benson: “Come Unto Christ and Be Perfected in Him“

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “Come Unto Me“

President Ezra Taft Benson: Come Unto Christ

First Person: “To Struggle is the Program” (or Life is a Process, Not a Bunch of Events)

I don’t know when he started saying it, but Dad’s mantra is one that I heard often. I’m sure I will pass onto my own children.

To struggle is the program.

Of course, you can imagine the kinds of conversations that brought on that teaching. Who wants to hear that the pain and struggle they are going through is supposed to be part of life? I sure didn’t. I wanted things to be easier, period. (I would often wonder (and still sometimes do): This is what I signed up for in the premortal world and shouted for joy about?)

In moments of spiritual clarity, however, of course I know he is right. We are here to be tested, to learn from our experiences, to learn faith through the trials that come. Of course, life is also full of rich and wonderful blessings, so it’s not like he was trying to be pessimistic or gloomy. We are that we might have joy, right? But still, sometimes it is in the struggle that we learn to appreciate the joy all the more. I look at my life and really can see blessings that struggling has brought, and I am (usually) grateful for the growth.

Lately, Dad’s words have been distilling on me in a slightly different way, thanks to some discussions with my husband, who has been reflecting on how life is a process, not a bunch of events. How often are we focused on the events in life: the next appointment, the next project, the next piano lesson for the children, the next family scripture time, the next big opportunity, the next stage of life when “all of our troubles will fade”? The list of “things to do” or “things we want” or even the goals we set can sometimes dominate our lives and our thinking. As my husband and I have talked, we have realized, perhaps more profoundly than ever, that it’s possible that a focus on events could also cause us to miss the purpose of life and the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from the journey, and especially to build relationships with God and the people around us.

Sharing Our Voices: Donny Osmond’s “My Beliefs” Site

Donny Osmond has created a website that addresses many of his/our beliefs as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here is a link to various multimedia presentations, narrated by Donny, about beliefs such as the purpose of life, the Book of Mormon, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, priesthood, and many other topics.

Current Exhibits at Brigham Young University’s Museum of Art

inerva Teichert: Pageants in Paint

American Dreams: Selected Works from the Museum’s Permanent Collection of American Art

Masterworks of Victorian Art from the Collection of John H. Schaeffer

Dismantling Geneva Steel: Photographs by Chris Dunker

Church Museum of History and Art: Exhibit for 2002 Olympics

Here are some of the pieces that were on display at the Church Museum of History and Art for the Winter Olympics that were held in Salt Lake City, Utah (the location of the Church’s headquarters).

Current Exhibits at the Church Museum of History and Art

For a list of exhibits currently on display, click here.

Personal Revelation

One of the most important things we can build in this life is a personal relationship with our Father in Heaven. He has given us the gift of prayer so we can talk to Him anytime, anywhere, about anything. And then we learn through experience, over time, how He communicates with us. For each person, this may be different. And it may be different depending on the circumstances as well.

We can prepare to receive personal guidance, direction, and communication from God — what we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints call personal revelation — by reading scriptures and pondering them, praying often, fasting, and gratefully recognizing the blessings in our lives. The scriptures also teach us that we need to “ask in faith, nothing wavering.” That faith is essential to receiving answers to prayers, and to building a personal relationship with God.

How do answers come?

Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said this in a recent talk:

By unwavering faith, we learn for ourselves that “it is by faith that miracles are wrought.”¹⁸

Generally, those miracles will not be physical demonstrations of God’s power—parting of the Red Sea, raising of the dead, breaking down prison walls, or the appearance of heavenly messengers. By design, most miracles are spiritual demonstrations of God’s power—tender mercies gently bestowed through impressions, ideas, feelings of assurance, solutions to problems, strength to meet challenges, and comfort to bear disappointments and sorrow.

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For more information on this topic, please see the following links:
Elder David A. Bednar: That We May Always Have His Spirit to be With Us (audio link, >video link)Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Personal Revelation (audio link, video link)Gerald N. Lund: The Still Small Voice: Revelation and How it Can Come (audio link)
“Does God answer my prayers?” – Jennifer shares her experience with receiving answers to her prayers at a critical decision point in her life when she was learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“How can I feel closer to God?” – Noelle shares her experiences with receiving answers to her questions