"We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that 'gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.' (Cicero, in A New Dictionary of Quotations on Historical Principles, sel. H. L. Mencken (1942), 491.)"
- President Thomas S. Monson ("The Divine Gift of Gratitude" October 2010 General Conference)
It can be easy to see what is in front of us in the world and to think negatively, but lately as I have been more grateful for the things that God has given and is giving me, I have a greater desire and motivation to obey Him and do what He would have me do. When this happens He blesses me even more, which gives another opportunity for gratitude, and the pattern spirals upward. Gratitude is evidence of humility and faith, and we know what the Lord can do with us when we have those two elements (Ether 12:27).
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
The Lord's Promise of Grace
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
-Ether 12:27
What an incredible promise! Because the Lord has carried our pains, afflictions, weaknesses, sorrows, temptations, and anything else you can imagine, He understands us, and He knows how to strengthen us personally in our times of weakness (Alma 7:11-12)! All that He requires is humility and faith in Him. Sounds like a bargain to me. All I have to do is give the Lord everything I have (which in reality isn't very much), and He'll give me everything I need, and ultimately everything He has one day. I give Him my weakness, and He trades me for His strength. Do I deserve that? No, not at all -- but because of His goodness and mercy, He wants me to have what He has and to become as He is. I have a testimony of this truth and have experienced it firsthand. This is applicable to everyone, no matter what their situation is. This is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! So use the enabling power of the grace of Jesus Christ! Without it, we're nothing, and without using it, the Lord suffered in vain.
-Ether 12:27
What an incredible promise! Because the Lord has carried our pains, afflictions, weaknesses, sorrows, temptations, and anything else you can imagine, He understands us, and He knows how to strengthen us personally in our times of weakness (Alma 7:11-12)! All that He requires is humility and faith in Him. Sounds like a bargain to me. All I have to do is give the Lord everything I have (which in reality isn't very much), and He'll give me everything I need, and ultimately everything He has one day. I give Him my weakness, and He trades me for His strength. Do I deserve that? No, not at all -- but because of His goodness and mercy, He wants me to have what He has and to become as He is. I have a testimony of this truth and have experienced it firsthand. This is applicable to everyone, no matter what their situation is. This is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! So use the enabling power of the grace of Jesus Christ! Without it, we're nothing, and without using it, the Lord suffered in vain.
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