I'm back!

Obviously.... I have not updated my blog in years, so hopefully this post will show a lot more maturity than some of my previous posts. I also don't know who will read this or if anyone really will, but I am sharing a little bit of what I know and believe to be true, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Justine Sanders

9-21-11

FDREL 324

Kelly Anderson

Student Choice #3

(Week 1)

This week in my Doctrine and Covenants class, we were asked to read and study sections 2-5, and section 10. In these passages, we were introduced to the incident where Joseph Smith lost the 116 pages of his first translation of the Golden Plates. For this week’s assignment, I choose to study section 3 and discuss some lessons that God taught Joseph Smith that have significant relevance to me.

Assignment: Based on section 3, what five significant lessons was the Lord willing and desirous to teach Joseph Smith as a result of losing the 116 pages? How relevant are each of these lessons for you?

Lesson 1 :

Doctrine and Covenants 3:3 :

“Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men.”

How it is relevant to me:

I feel that this lesson is relevant to me because many times I have made the wrong choices and had to suffer the consequences (whether they be good or bad) that come from those choices. I have thought about how MY choices could affect His great plan; could something I did affect God's plan for me? This scripture is a powerful reminder to me that the work of men is the work that is frustrated, that God's works are not. I know that God puts people in our lives and puts challenges in our lives when we need them, because His work continues to go forth. It is our work (the work of men), through our agency, that we choose to follow him or to suffer the consequences of our unrighteous actions. I know that if I make a wrong decision it is my own fault and that it is my own life that can be affected, but that His work will continue to grow and go forward as it was, no matter what decision I make.

Lesson 2 :

Doctrine and Covenants 3:4 :

“For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him.”

How it is relevant to me:

I find this verse to be extremely powerful. Obviously, the last part of the verse is a little scary: “ follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him.” If any passage of scripture could be applicable to us, it would be this. Although I have not had many revelations or the power to do many mighty works, this can still apply to me. All of the choices I make in life are because Christ atoned and died for my sins, that I may hopefully return to live with my Father in heaven, if I live worthily on earth. God is our father. He gives us everything we have. He gave us a physical body, as part of Christs plan for us, he gives us strength, to overcome the trials and adversities that we chose to endure in the preexistence, and he is mindful of our choices and blesses and rebukes us for the choices we make. He is a just and a merciful God. He is willing to forgive us, if we repent, of any wrongs we have done, as well as any sicknesses we have endured, and any feelings of inadequacy that we may have. He is our creator and we have to rely on him in all things-whether they be spiritual, temporal, or physical. He will never lead us astray.

Lesson 3 :

Doctrine and Covenants 3:7-8 :

“For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words— Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble.”

How it is relevant to me:

I think this lesson is not just applicable to me, but to everyone, because everyone chose to be here on earth and we are all enduring the consequences (both good and bad) of that decision. We are on earth, because of Christ's plan, which was far from Satan's plan. Unfortunately, because God did not choose Satan's plan, we all get to dwell with his followers (who do not have physical bodies) while we are here on earth. In that way, Satan coming at us from every angle. He may hardly know us, but he can tempt us to do things that are wrong. With such a strong power, like Satan and his followers, trying to lead us astray at every moment, we Need the presence of the Godhead: God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost to be with us. I know I personally need Christ, and his atonement every single day, to get me through Satan's fiery darts. Unfortunately, Joseph Smith caved to peer pressure, one of Satan's powerful tools, and by so doing lost something very precious to him and to God. Today, the price may not be a manuscript, but it might be one’s health, virtue, or integrity. It might the trust of loved ones that get lost or the value of a beloved friendship. It could very well be one’s life; and I know all too well that Satan can make someone amazing feel SO insignificant. I know that as we are faithful, and aware of the temptations around us, we will be more prepared for what Satan will try to ensnare us with. As we become more prepared, we will be able to fight against Satan and become better disciples of Christ. I know that if we are faithful to Heavenly Father and his teachings, he will help us, guide us, support us, and lift and carry us when we are weak.

Lesson 4 :

Doctrine and Covenants 3:10 :

“But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work.”

How it is relevant to me:

This is obviously one of the most relevant lessons in this whole section of the Doctrine and Covenants. Although our God is a just God, he is also merciful. He wants us to be able to return and live with him again, and that is why he let Christ atone and die for our sins. I also wanted to acknowledge that God says, “thou art still chosen,” because that doesn't change our status. God knows what decisions we are going to make and whether they are right or wrong, he gave us agency so that we can make our own decisions. We are still called and chosen, and the work is ours to do, whatever it may be.

Lesson 5 :

Doctrine and Covenants 3:16 :

“Nevertheless, my work shall go forth, for inasmuch as the knowledge of a Savior has come unto the world, through the testimony of the Jews, even so shall the knowledge of a Savior come unto my people.”

How it is relevant to me:

I almost felt like this lesson was a call to serve! I feel that so long as someone has a testimony of Christ our Lord and the truthfulness of the Gospel, that the work of God will continue to go forth among the children of men. I also know that one day the Jews and the Native Americans will know of the goodness of Christ and that He is their Savior too. It is our job, as disciples of Christ, to teach and preach His gospel to all we come in contact with.