The first and great commandment

I've been thinking about how so often when people criticize religion they say something like, "you have so many 'thou shalt nots'". And when you start listing them that's true - there are all kinds of things we have been told to avoid. But religious or not, if you start to list all of the things that are bad ideas you will come up with a super long list! I think we get caught up in all of the "thou shalt nots" too much though, because Christ told us that there really are only 2 commandments - and neither of them is a "thou shalt not"!

Matthew 22:37-40 reads, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

If Christ could have his way he wouldn't have had to teach anything else but to love God, love ourselves, and love all we come in contact with at least as much as we love ourselves. If you're struggling with a long list of things you aren't supposed to do, just remember that the "thou shalt nots" are only there because we're just not as good as we could be at "thou shalt LOVE".

-Lisa

Come

I had the privilege of attending a Youth Conference as an adult leader this last weekend. The theme of the conference was “Come Unto Christ,” which is the 2014 Youth theme. 

Our conference was held in Nauvoo, Illinois, the historic site of departure for the Mormon Pioneers. This group of people were facing intense persecution by those around them, and were eventually forced out in order to find religious freedom. Having grown up in Illinois, I’ve been to Nauvoo nearly every year that I can remember. I have found this “City of Beautiful” to be a place of solace, pondering, incredible personal growth, and deep admiration. The pioneers had such a desire to follow God that they, quite literally, “came” unto Christ. They left most of their belongings, their jobs, their friends and family, in order to find a place that they could worship their God in peace.

When I think of the phrase “come unto Christ,” I immediately picture the statue, the "Christus.” 

Christ is standing there with His arms wide open, beckoning us to Him. When I think of this statue and the Mormon pioneers, a lot of symbolism comes to my mind. When the pioneers of old were asked to leave their homes, they did so with a strong & unshakeable hope of something even better to come. They would endure hardships, disease, and even death in order to get to their sacred destination, but their hope and faith in Christ sustained them.

At times, when I am striving to “come unto Christ” and become more like Him, follow His commandments, and do what He would have me do, I too have many hardships–trials that seem unbearable at times. And yet, because of my Hope in my Savior, I continue to take the steps (tiny as they may be) towards Him.

As apart of the conference, we also had a theme song which we sang every day. It quickly became one of my all-time favorite songs. The following are lyrics that particularly touched me:

So let Him in, and He will take away your pain.

When you feel His love You'll never be the same.

Come unto Christ. Come unto Him,

And by His grace Be made holy again.

He's calling your name. He's waiting for you

With arms open wide. Come unto Christ.

{Link to the music video HERE.} 

I have felt of His love many times in my life. Even at times when I did not feel deserving of His love–or any love at all. But it was His healing, the healing of my soul, that gave me the strength to overcome. I recently heard that the prayer for strength is one that is always answered & I know this to be true.

He really can heal all wounds. He is calling your name, pleading for you. To come. Come unto Him. He knows that it is His rest we so desperately need, and so He is waiting for us­—to Come unto Him.

--Aubrey 

Choose to accept His healing grace

I was reading in Mark a few days ago and was reminded of the huge miracle in Mark 6:56, "And whithersoever [Christ] entered into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment; and as many as touched him were made whole." I realized that I'd never considered just how literal the comparison is between Jesus and the brass serpent that the children of Israel need only LOOK at to be healed. And I wondered, "How many people just didn't bother to touch Jesus? How many just didn't even try to bring their loved ones? How many were just as stubborn as the Israelites that perished, rather than lift the tent flap?" But then it struck me - how often do I deny the miracles Christ can work in my life? How many times a month/week/day do I think "I'll do this myself!" instead of saying that brief prayer to invite divine guidance and support? 

There are certainly days where I find I am just going through the motions of motherhood, and the day ended up feeling empty, so much went unaccomplished, and there was contention and selfishness in our home all day. I might as well have been lying sick in bed for all the good I did anyone. Why do I have to get through, and make my family suffer through, an entire day before realizing I could've said a prayer or two at several key points during the day, could've sung a hymn instead of what I said, or could've just thought "what would the Savior say to this child?" before confronting them? Why am I so slow to invite Him into my life when I KNOW it is the Savior's healing and empowering grace that makes all the difference on the days that go well? Am I any less stubborn than those who remained in their homes or tents?