Hello!

Today I was reading Doctrine and Covenants 121, which was written while the Prophet Joseph was in Liberty jail.

I marvel at the insights and instruction that were received during such a painful and intense experience! A reminder to us that extremity, like sleeplessness, high demands and pressure, can be a catalyst for understanding, if and when we turn to God for instruction and relief!

It seems that the battle between fear and faith is most real when we are stretched to our limits, though we often don’t recognize the points of choice when they are before us (since they happen so fast and we are often on autopilot)! Choosing faith means turning to God and placing our trust in Him and relaxing into the peace He offers us. It’s constantly there, we just have to turn ourselves toward Him and ask for it!

Choosing fear can mean feeling afraid that we’ll never be good enough; that we’ve had too many chances and we keep blowing it so what’s the point in trying; it can be scrambling for relief from a substance or food or busyness or media or some other form of escape, instead of turning to God.

Parenting can push us to become far more aware of our choices, even the subtle choice to stay in faith when things are more challenging than we ever thought possible!

It helps me to clarify what faith looks like in family life and remind me that the goal is to love and teach at the same time, or in other words, to parent in God’s way!

The verses in section 121 from 34 to 46 are full of such beautiful parenting doctrine, even though it is speaking directly of priesthood authority.

I’d like to insert parenting for priesthood and see how that applies to moms….

34 Behold, there are many called but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

25 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson–

36 That the rights of the priesthood (or insert the authority of parents) are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children (of men), in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the authority of that parent.

Then…

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of parents, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness (clarity), when moved upon by the Holy Ghost (not anger); and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue (moral strength) garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the family shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.”

I love that last line so much! I hope that I will get so good at loving my family that they will be drawn by my love and want to be with me without compulsion.

Though I am weak and human, my desire is to become truly charitable!

To be enabled to feel more of God’s love as I repent and not cover my sins.

To relax and slow down as I recognize my pride and vain ambitions are based on a faulty belief that I must earn love.

To use persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, kindness, and love unfeigned in my family relationships, to see my mothering as a holy calling, and to be chosen to receive God’s blessings.

“The Savior stands ready to accept our humble offerings and perfect them through His grace. With Christ, there is no imperfect harvest. We must have the courage to believe that His grace is for us– that He will help us, rescue us from the depths when we falter, and perfect our less-than-perfect efforts.

I testify of Christ, who has the power to perfect even our most humble offering. Let us do our best, bring what we can, and, with faith, lay our imperfect offering at His feet.” Elder Vern P. Stanfill

I wish you every blessing!

Love,

“Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest. Alma 12:34