Part of our discussion in class on February 26th was about feeling the Spirit in our lives. It helps us "hang on" if we understand that part of our tutorial in this earth life involves periods where we do not feel the quickening of the Spirit in spite of our best efforts. Elder Neal A. Maxwell addressed this by saying: "If everything in one's immediate context were constantly clear, God's plan would not work. Hard choices as well as passing through periodic mists of darkness are needed in order to maintain life's basic reality--that we overcome by faith." (Lord, Increase our Faith, Bookcraft 1994, 110-11).
One of the things that helps me "hang on" during such times is remembering. I try to remember my own vivid experiences with the Holy Spirit as well insights from the scriptures. This is, I think, what Alma the Younger was commending to his son Helaman: "I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers...learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day" (Alma 36:2-3).
Alma practiced what he preached too. Think of the several times he recounted or remembered his own experiences and found himself rejoicing anew for the marvelous light that came into his life.
Question: how do you remember your own spiritual experiences? Do you have a journal where these things are recorded? Do you reread letters from your mission? Other ways? I'd love to hear.
3 comments:
This captures exactly what I have been trying to articulate for a long time! Feeling a great need to "remember" (which is how I hang on, too)during an ebb period, I think President Eyring's talk in Priesthood session Oct 07 was just for me: I've been keeping a journal everyday of how God has touched my life since...and it is strengthening me! Remembering takes real mental effort to focus.
I love having a notebook with me at church. I don't take notes in every class every sunday. But when I do get nudges from the Spirit I write it down. When I flip through my notebook I always feel good when I glance at the spiritual insight I had. Makes me want to be better and reminds me what I had learned.
i am so sad i missed this lesson. so thanks for this blog entry. i am so bad at keeping a journal but i always carry a little notebook in my purse and i find myself jotting down thoughts everyonce in a while. i need to be better.
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