Today’s Reading: Moisah 11: 16-29
21 And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies.
A little over a year ago I was struggling, spiritually. I was feeling frustrated and stagnant in my eternal progression, and I knew what the source of it was.
It was me.
I was the only thing holding me back.
My own ‘natural women’ and stubborn, prideful ways were the only thing holding me back. In earnest, I prayed and pleaded with the Lord to help me progress and draw closer to Him. And in His infinite wisdom He made me wait patiently for the simple and beautiful truths that His servants would teach me.
He started by gently turning my heart toward the temple and prompting me to attend more regularly. He encouraged me to read and re-read my scriptures, daily and to internalize them and look for ways to emulate the passage I had read that day with those around me—at home and and work. He lead me to talks and conferences that I had never heard of or known anything about and helped to open my mind and soften my heart. He literally brought me out of the bondage of daily negativity, sarcasm and constant internal pain, into the light, the joy and the pleasure of this life and the life to come.
And He did it, where I stood.
I didn’t move across the country, or ‘start over’ in a new place. I started fresh right where I was, with the help of the Lord and the power of the atonement through repentance. Ladies, He wants us to turn to Him right where we are so that He can help us. We need not feel like we have to turn to a new place, a new house, a new city, a new… anything. He can make our current place a place of peace, comfort and joy. If we let Him. If we turn to Him and repent.
I encourage each of us to really ponder the meaning of repentance this week.
Who needs to repent?
What do we need to each personally repent of?
Have we truly repented of our sins?
This Women’s conference address by Tad and Kathryn Callister from 2015 is a beautiful reminder and teacher of repentance.
“To those who have ceased activity and to those who have become critical, we say, ‘Come back. Come back and feast at the table of the Lord, and taste again the sweet and satisfying fruits of fellowship with the Saints.’
“We are confident that many have longed to return, but have felt awkward about doing so. We assure you that you will find open arms to receive you and willing hands to assist you.” i
Wife to Eric. Mom to Quinn. And Twins Avery & Rhys. I believe that I am a child of God. Who loves me & I love him. I believe in date nights to the Temple. To the movies. Out to dinner and especially long hikes.
Wednesday’s are my fave day of the week because, ‘it’s Wednesday David’. Red is simply the best color. And black takes a close second.