It's All About Love

Today in my New Testament class we discussed the three epistles of John, known in the New Testament as 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John. 1 John is one of my all time favorite chapters of scripture for two reasons. The first is that it is all about Living in Truth. For example, "The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth" (1 John 2:8). In my own words, when you are Living in Truth the bad things of the past are over, you don't need to think about or dwell on them, and today the true light shines. If you step out of the dark past, you are walking in light. The best part is that you can step out of that dark past anytime you want and the light is waiting for you.

The second thing I love about 1 John is that it is all about love. I never read this without feeling that some unseen power has risen from the page, wrapped arms around me and is hugging me tightly while whispering reassuring words of comfort in my ear. Verses like, "Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" (1 John 4:7). and "We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16), and "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18).

If you are every feeling discouraged, down, dismayed, depressed or any other negative feelings read 1 John 1-5 and let the words wrap you in love.

Feasting on the Word

The great prophet Nephi encouraged us to “feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:3). Obviously the first step to feasting is to read the words of scripture, but reading is more comparable to preparing the feast than it is to actually eating the feast. The word feast means, “an elaborate and usually abundant meal often accompanied by a ceremony or entertainment” or “something that gives unusual or abundant enjoyment.” 

To have an” abundant meal” you prepare many, many different dishes and then sit down and take time to enjoy eating them. This bringing together of many different foods is what gives the “abundant enjoyment.” When we put mashed potatoes on our plate alongside the broccoli and the cranberry jelly, we not only enjoy the tastes of each one, but we enjoy the aromas, the color contrasts, and the difference in texture.

Likewise when we read scripture we are preparing the mind by putting the foods on the table where they can be acknowledged and chosen from. When we feast upon the scriptures we “eat” by pondering and meditating on comparisons and contrasts in all that we have read. We savor the delicate nuances of meanings and benefit from the “nutrients” that are available. 

“Unusual and abundant enjoyment” can happen when we eat a simple peanut butter sandwich. But it is much more likely to happen at a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings filling the table.

The Beauty of Bible Words

One of the reasons I love the scriptures so much is because of the words used in scripture. The meaning of those words is, of course, wonderful, but the simple music and poetry of the words is also beautiful. Take for example this verse that describes the feeling of utter dejection:

“I am poured out like water, 

and all my bones are out of joint: 

my heart is like wax;

it is melted in the midst of my bowels”

(Psalms 21:14).

          Read that verse out loud and listen to the rhythmic cadence of the syllables. Read it again and listen to the sounds that flow around and through the vowels.  Read it again and pay attention to the beautiful metaphors. We’ve all been in dire circumstances when we feel like we are being poured out like water. We can relate to that phrase, and it sinks deeper into our hearts than the statement, “I feel horrible.” 

          But it isn’t just the Psalms or Proverbs in which beautiful language communicates heavenly and human thoughts and feelings so beautifully. The scriptures are full of exquisite language and sometimes we need to stop and savor the music of the words as well as the meaning.

          God has given us many things not only for our instruction, but for our pleasure. So today I'm celebrating the delight of the words He has given us.

Enlarging the Soul

The Good News! today is that there is no such thing as spiritual dieting! (Yeah!) 

 

While Joseph Smith was incarcerated in Liberty Jail, he received a revelation (D&C 121) that explained how power corrupts most people so that they “exercise unrighteous dominion.” The revelation then goes on to teach him and us how to properly use power and influence. It says that when in a position of authority, power should be exercised with kindness, meekness, persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, and unfeigned love. I’ve been in many discussions of this revelation that have enlightened me as to how to do this, but in all those discussion never once has anyone pointed out that the revelation also explains the blessing that will come to the person who exercises power with kindness and meekness. The blessing is found in verse 42 where it explains that doing this this “shall greatly enlarge the soul.”

I’ve thought a lot about what it means to have your soul "greatly enlarged" and I like the idea. I’ve spent a life-time trying to keep my body from "enlarging," but I don't have to do that with my soul. My soul should be as large as I can get it. Feasting on the original soul food, the scriptures, (no dieting allowed here!) is one way, and now I’ve learned another which is part of what it means to Live in Truth. By using my authority as a mother, wife, teacher, Church worker, etc. with meekness and gentleness I also enlarge my soul.

So here’s to a future of soul enlargement!

Isaiah is Good News!

Today in my Book of Mormon classes we started into the Isaiah chapters (1 Nephi 20 & 21). I always get so excited when we come to Isaiah because his writings are so rich and vibrant. Don’t get me wrong, all scripture is rich and vibrant, but Isaiah does it best which is why I think more prophets quote him than any other Biblical writer. Even Jesus quoted Isaiah more than He quoted any of the other prophets.

Isaiah speaks poetically which keeps me intrigued with the sounds and rhythm of his words. They are like music. He also teaches in what to me seems almost like code, so that every time I read him something new is decoded. This happens because the metaphors he uses take on new depth as my life gives me more experiences to use to decipher the code.

You can’t read Isaiah fast. You have to read him slowly and ponder every phrase until it sinks deep into your heart and from there seeps down into the marrow of your bones. Once in the marrow, the teachings of Isaiah are strength and vim and vigor. In short, Isaiah is amazing!

Comforted

This verse of scripture was part of my scripture study yesterday. “And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted” (Alma 15:10). As I read, these words seemed to come alive. They danced off the page and wrapped themselves around my heart and comforted me with peace and joy. And I didn’t even know yet that I needed to be comforted!

The words and the spirit that accompanied them warmed, calmed, and empowered me, but most important the feelings stayed with me all day so that when the doctor gave me the news I was fine. I wish I could give you the feeling instead of just trying to explain it because these poor words don’t even begin to describe what happened. But my testimony of the power of scripture to guide, heal, comfort, and bring joy is increased.

All of us face some sort of Grizelda, but whatever your trial the scriptures can bring you the same power to deal with the problem.

Tomorrow will be another of those in-need-of-comfort days, as I move into the treatment part of this adventure. But I’m not worried because I know He will comfort me through that, too.