One Liners

To continue the series I decided to post a few simple truths that I was reminded of. One liners to be exact. Some are short, some are not. Good reminders even if they mean more to me than others. That is usually how it goes. Unless the reader is in the same frame of mind those one liners end up being a nice thought rather than something that touches their soul. So here goes.

   The Holy Ghost is the testifier and it is through him the mysteries of God are revealed.

   When we have faith and are seeking for knowledge, we can be privileged to receive the same    information or witness as others.

   The vision, inspiration, knowledge that comes as a result of others vision, inspiration, knowledge often is added to or expanded when we seek for understanding or confirmation.

   When we are hungry for food we don't think clearly.

   The Lord can still communicate with us when we don't think clearly or are too hurt or angry.

   Sometimes we don't know the purpose of a command until later.

   Living after the manner of happiness means work.

   When there is nothing you can do then prayer is all that is left. So pray.

I'm going to finish off with a thought that is a bit longer.

   Sometimes we have to escape through the back way. By that I mean we find ways that are not obvious escapes. We plan a strategy that we DO NOT ANNOUNCE to the enemy. It is my theory when we announce good things out loud Satan is then informed. For him that is a signal that the games begin. So watch out, be prepared, be strong, choose best.

The Series

Yes, I know, I know. Two years is a long time to ignore the blog. It wasn't that I hadn't thought about it or planned to write, but now that I have "retired" I have oodles of time to catch up on things like Archie's Hangout. With that in mind I decided to do a series all based on things I've recently learned, been reminded of, or understand in a completely different way. It is all based on my studies of The Book of Mormon. As a preface let me explain. Last year as I began reading the Book of Mormon I was encouraged through the Spirit to write down impressions or thoughts as I went along. I decided to do it my own way which means I was not obedient. For the 8 months of my study every day I was reminded that I was not being obedient. As I concluded I promised Heavenly Father I would study the Book of Mormon his way and so I immediately opened to the beginning and started over. Right away I got a little scold while reading  First Nephi. This is what I wrote: "When we are given a vision or inspiration or visited by angels it is possible to still doubt and not be obedient." Then in parenthesis I wrote "or in my case laziness, inconvenience, or deciding when I'll be obedient. How silly is that? Why would I want to postpone the blessing?" I wrote a scripture down with my thoughts, "The Lord is able to deliver us."Thankfully, Heavenly Father accepted my efforts to be obedient now and because of that I have been blessed immeasurably.

So, the first in the series starts just like Nephi. I was born of "goodly parents". Goodly does not mean perfect. We do hold our parents to a higher standard. But just like us they've struggled, fallen, repented, and struggled some more.  It may be difficult to see our parents as people who have changed or become new through the atonement. We hold onto the old stuff feeling justified which means we won't or don't accept them changed. Over the years I have learned to accept what was good and let go of the judgements. I quit blaming my parents for stuff that was hard. When parents are teaching correct principles that means they are following God's command's too. One piece of advice my mother gave me, which she rarely did, but I have learned to appreciate now is "You can't change the past. The only thing to do is move forward." It made me mad in the beginning but I've learned she is right.  In a nutshell, she simplified the atonement.

When we concentrate on the good, we can accept the efforts of our parents. They are trying to do the best they know how. All of us are continually learning and growing. We are all works in progress. Even our parents.

And as a side note be obedient the first time. Our Father in Heaven has things he wants us to know right now! That's my parental advice.