Danna's Pondering Pad: Coming Together to Hear the Word of God

Monday, January 16, 2012

Coming Together to Hear the Word of God

Nehemiah 8 holds a lesson on unified hunger for God's word. Verses 1-3, 5, and 8 speaks of the congregation eagerly coming together to read the law of Moses. They were so excited and attentive that "when [Ezra] opened [the book], all the people stood up!" (verse 5). The words of hope and joy penetrated their hearts in such a way that "all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law" (verse 9). The words filled their soul; they received strength and rejoiced because the words took root! (verses 10, 12).

What happens when people come together through the words of God, when all are converted to Him? 4 Nephi 1:2-3 says, "The people were all converted unto the Lord....and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them."

Each individual had obtained a heart at peace toward everyone! They rejoiced together, with no hard feelings among them. And the result? "The Lord did prosper them exceedingly....And...the people...did wax strong...and became an exceedingly fair and delightsome people" (Verse 7, 10).

Kind of cool what a willing, open heart can do.

Hi there! Welcome to my pondering pad! "Why do I blog?" you may ask. Well, let me tell you! :) I believe we all have similarities in the human experience because we're mere mortals. Because of our heavenly roots, a desire is within us to want to be better. Yet, the Lord did not intend for us to do it alone. The Lord wants us to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light" (Mos. 18:8) & to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, & strengthen the feeble knees" (D&C 81:5). We need help & strength from each other. We need to know we aren't alone. Therefore, I share thoughts, feelings, and experiences that perhaps you might find commonality, strength, courage, & comfort to your own trials. So come, let us sup at the Lord's table together that we may find solutions in and through Him, for He is good & mighty to save!

"The Lord warned the first generation of Latter-day Saints to 'beware concerning yourselves' (D&C 84:43). I seek to remind each of us of the mortal susceptibilities and devilish diversions that can unite to produce our spiritual downfall. . . . Satan can also attack us where we think we are strong. . . . He will approach us through the greatest talents and spiritual gifts we possess. If we are not wary, Satan can cause our spiritual downfall by corrupting us through our strengths as well as by exploiting our weaknesses."
--Dallin H. Oaks, October Ensign 1994

"My dear brothers and sisters, don't get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don't feel downcast or despair if you don't feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible--and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"We ought to say in our hearts, let God judge between me and thee, but as for me, I will forgive. I want to say to you that Latter-day Saints who harbor a feeling of unforgiveness in their souls are more guilty and more censurable than the one who has sinned against them. . . . 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' This is the spirit that Latter-day Saints ought to possess all the day long. The man who has that spirit in his heart and keeps it there will never have any trouble with his neighbor."
--Joseph F. Smith

"It was the Savior who left the ninety and nine to go out and find the one. Now we are obsessed with the ninety and nine, and we are not very much concerned with the one. But the ninety and nine will go along pretty well. They don't need a lot of attention. I don't mean to suggest that you don't do your duty toward them, but it is the one that we need to help. . . . They are worth saving and bringing back. Do you know who they are? Have you identified them? Start with that step. And then put them to work. No man or woman will grow in this Church unless he or she is busy and has something to do."
--Gordon B. Hinckley

"None of us will escape tragedy and suffering. Each of us will probably react differently. However, if we can recall the Lord's promise, 'for I the Lord am with you,' we will be able to face our problems with dignity and courage. We will find the strength to be of good cheer instead of becoming resentful, critical, or defeated. We will be able to meet life's important happenings with clear vision, strength, and power. . . . .

"What a joy it is to see someone of good cheer, who, when others because of unpleasant happening or development live in angry silence or vocal disgust, meets the situation with cheerful endurance and good spirits" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986).
--Marvin J. Ashton