Two thoughts: You know that FHE lesson where they put sand in a jar and then try and put the rocks in and it won't all fit, but if you do it the other way around then it fits. Rock first then the other stuff. Second: why are so many good people leaving the church. People who have appeared to be fully attached to the rock. Were they on the wrong rock. Can the rock be crumbled from the inside out? Is there anything we can do except watch the rock crumble? Are we safe?
One of the reasons that we take the Grandkids to Hill Cummorah is to help them develop a firm foundation in the gospel. Dad and I want to give each of our grandkids a personal experience with knowing who Joseph Smith was and how he lived his life because of his testimony of the Savior and the gospel. We hope we can take each one. Then as they have developed this knowledge they can add experiences from their daily lives to build upon that foundation. We have a wonderful foundation in the gospel where Christ is the chief corner stone. In Sunday School they were talking about this same concept except in Ephesians. One guy said it's like the parable of the 3 little pigs. One built a house of straw, one of sticks and the other bricks. Can a house of straw have a foundation-No can a house of Sticks have a foundation-No. Only a house of bricks has a foundation. Christ and Heavenly Father's plan is the only foundation on which to build. It takes work and time to create that foundation. Once that foundation is created we can build a house that will withstand every wind of doctrine that takes others to and fro. It's like the primary song, "I know who I am, I know God's plan, I'll follow him in Faith." I hope we can continue to sure up our foundation everyday as we study and pray and do our callings so we can be firm, steadfast and immovable. Love---Mo
As I have pondered this scripture this week we need to build our foundation on Jesus Christ and stay close to the church and he will be there for us too. We also need to build a strong foundation as a church too. Those are my thoughts this week. It is one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon too ! Have a great Sunday ! Mariah Sparrow
I was kind of thinking of things along the lines of Melissa- especially with how things are going in my ward, seminary class and family right now.
I think Lissa's family theme goes along with this scripture very well- but we as I looked more deeply at this scripture I figured out it isn't enough just to stand- we have to BUILD- it uses that word or a form of it 3 times in that verse.
It's not enough to just stand on the rock, near the rock, sit on the rock, lay on the rock, walk around the rock. We have to build ON the rock if we want to withstand all the world will throw at us and heave upon us. If we build on the rock we will have the strong foundation we need- but we also have to use good quality building materials (our actions and how we live the gospel) to make our house strong.
I'm like Lissa- I don't know why such good people in the church have gotten so lazy about living the gospel. Why don't they see the dangerous ground they are walking on when they do that? Why can't they see how it is affecting other people- now and in the future?
A lot of people fault our church because they say we focus too much on the "works" and not the "grace" aspect of believing in God. To me - that's how I show Heavenly Father and Jesus that I do believe, that I want to return, and just how much their gifts and blessings mean to me. I can't NOT build- because I know what I know and because I have felt what I have felt. I may not always be building at a feverish pace or with the best of materials- but I do know that I will never stop.
I've had two distinct impressions this week regarding this scripture. The one is similar to what all of you have mentioned....FOUNDATION. Remember the hymn, "How Firm a Foundation?" Yea, firm. I've been around people and buildings that did not have firm foundations. The results is always the same....weak and crumbling. Both require a rebuilding or starting over. Hopefully, those of us that need to start over recognize that the foundation is weak and don't try to build on something that cannot support the weight of the trials that will come.
Second thought....think to the person that suggested this scripture. Can you just imagine where Mariah would be without a strong foundation? What has kept her strong and growing when others might have given up? You are all part of her foundation. Keep that in mind as you work through trials with family members, friends or relatives. You are part of their foundation. Help them stay strong on the foundation they have built with you as part of it. And, a little reminder that Christ is the chief cornerstone doesn't hurt either.
I've had two distinct impressions this week regarding this scripture. The one is similar to what all of you have mentioned....FOUNDATION. Remember the hymn, "How Firm a Foundation?" Yea, firm. I've been around people and buildings that did not have firm foundations. The results is always the same....weak and crumbling. Both require a rebuilding or starting over. Hopefully, those of us that need to start over recognize that the foundation is weak and don't try to build on something that cannot support the weight of the trials that will come.
Second thought....think to the person that suggested this scripture. Can you just imagine where Mariah would be without a strong foundation? What has kept her strong and growing when others might have given up? You are all part of her foundation. Keep that in mind as you work through trials with family members, friends or relatives. You are part of their foundation. Help them stay strong on the foundation they have built with you as part of it. And, a little reminder that Christ is the chief cornerstone doesn't hurt either.
One more thing from me: I used this quote in seminary last week as one of my "Conference Quotes of the Day"- from Elder Bednar's talk on Godly Fear- pg 48 of the May Ensign. He quotes Helamen 5:12 and then says: "Ordinances and covenants are the building blocks we use to construct our lives upon the foundation of Christ and his atonement." That's what connects us to the Savior.
I'm sorry for the lateness of my post. When I think of this scripture it boils down to where do I look for answers and what do I do when I get it. I was deeply impressed with the very 1st session of general conference. When Mariah chose this scripture I turned to president Uchtdorf talk. There are many things that I feel are tie to this scripture. I will use his words to express my thoughts. "Sometimes, the truth may just seem too straightforward, too plain, and too simple for us to fully appreciate its great value. So we set aside what we have experienced and know to be true in pursuit of more mysterious or complicated information. Hopefully we will learn that when we chase after shadows, we are pursuing matters that have little substance and value." "But sometimes we take the beautiful lily of God’s truth and gild it with layer upon layer of man-made good ideas, programs, and expectations. Each one, by itself, might be helpful and appropriate for a certain time and circumstance, but when they are laid on top of each other, they can create a mountain of sediment that becomes so thick and heavy that we risk losing sight of that precious flower we once loved so dearly." "I pray that we will focus on “the simplicity that is in Christ” and allow His grace to lift and carry us during our journey from where we are now to our glorious destiny in our Father’s presence."
Will you may have been late, but I am the last. Have you noticed how much more the leaders of our day are really focused in on the concept of true internal lasting conversion that will fortify us through whatever challenges we may face. I really enjoyed considering Melissa's question about crumbling from the inside. It made me remember when Sally's (Brad's wife) father, Elder Shultz was just accepting the call you be in the 70 when he shared with us this quote, "Satan has our homes wired." Perhaps we may be building on a sure foundation but Satan can hollow out out any foundation if we are note careful how we filter the use of the "wires" in our home. I always think of my faith like unto climbing an escalator that's going down when I'm trying to go up. The moment I stop trying is the moment my faith begins to weaken. To have faith in Jesus Christ requires constant action no matter how old or new
Two thoughts: You know that FHE lesson where they put sand in a jar and then try and put the rocks in and it won't all fit, but if you do it the other way around then it fits. Rock first then the other stuff.
ReplyDeleteSecond: why are so many good people leaving the church. People who have appeared to be fully attached to the rock. Were they on the wrong rock. Can the rock be crumbled from the inside out? Is there anything we can do except watch the rock crumble? Are we safe?
One of the reasons that we take the Grandkids to Hill Cummorah is to help them develop a firm foundation in the gospel. Dad and I want to give each of our grandkids a personal experience with knowing who Joseph Smith was and how he lived his life because of his testimony of the Savior and the gospel. We hope we can take each one. Then as they have developed this knowledge they can add experiences from their daily lives to build upon that foundation. We have a wonderful foundation in the gospel where Christ is the chief corner stone. In Sunday School they were talking about this same concept except in Ephesians. One guy said it's like the parable of the 3 little pigs. One built a house of straw, one of sticks and the other bricks. Can a house of straw have a foundation-No can a house of Sticks have a foundation-No. Only a house of bricks has a foundation. Christ and Heavenly Father's plan is the only foundation on which to build. It takes work and time to create that foundation. Once that foundation is created we can build a house that will withstand every wind of doctrine that takes others to and fro. It's like the primary song, "I know who I am, I know God's plan, I'll follow him in Faith." I hope we can continue to sure up our foundation everyday as we study and pray and do our callings so we can be firm, steadfast and immovable.
ReplyDeleteLove---Mo
As I have pondered this scripture this week we need to build our foundation on Jesus Christ and stay close to the church and he will be there for us too. We also need to build a strong foundation as a church too. Those are my thoughts this week. It is one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon too ! Have a great Sunday !
ReplyDeleteMariah Sparrow
I was kind of thinking of things along the lines of Melissa- especially with how things are going in my ward, seminary class and family right now.
ReplyDeleteI think Lissa's family theme goes along with this scripture very well- but we as I looked more deeply at this scripture I figured out it isn't enough just to stand- we have to BUILD- it uses that word or a form of it 3 times in that verse.
It's not enough to just stand on the rock, near the rock, sit on the rock, lay on the rock, walk around the rock. We have to build ON the rock if we want to withstand all the world will throw at us and heave upon us. If we build on the rock we will have the strong foundation we need- but we also have to use good quality building materials (our actions and how we live the gospel) to make our house strong.
I'm like Lissa- I don't know why such good people in the church have gotten so lazy about living the gospel. Why don't they see the dangerous ground they are walking on when they do that? Why can't they see how it is affecting other people- now and in the future?
A lot of people fault our church because they say we focus too much on the "works" and not the "grace" aspect of believing in God. To me - that's how I show Heavenly Father and Jesus that I do believe, that I want to return, and just how much their gifts and blessings mean to me. I can't NOT build- because I know what I know and because I have felt what I have felt. I may not always be building at a feverish pace or with the best of materials- but I do know that I will never stop.
I've had two distinct impressions this week regarding this scripture. The one is similar to what all of you have mentioned....FOUNDATION. Remember the hymn, "How Firm a Foundation?" Yea, firm. I've been around people and buildings that did not have firm foundations. The results is always the same....weak and crumbling. Both require a rebuilding or starting over. Hopefully, those of us that need to start over recognize that the foundation is weak and don't try to build on something that cannot support the weight of the trials that will come.
ReplyDeleteSecond thought....think to the person that suggested this scripture. Can you just imagine where Mariah would be without a strong foundation? What has kept her strong and growing when others might have given up? You are all part of her foundation. Keep that in mind as you work through trials with family members, friends or relatives. You are part of their foundation. Help them stay strong on the foundation they have built with you as part of it. And, a little reminder that Christ is the chief cornerstone doesn't hurt either.
DAD
I've had two distinct impressions this week regarding this scripture. The one is similar to what all of you have mentioned....FOUNDATION. Remember the hymn, "How Firm a Foundation?" Yea, firm. I've been around people and buildings that did not have firm foundations. The results is always the same....weak and crumbling. Both require a rebuilding or starting over. Hopefully, those of us that need to start over recognize that the foundation is weak and don't try to build on something that cannot support the weight of the trials that will come.
ReplyDeleteSecond thought....think to the person that suggested this scripture. Can you just imagine where Mariah would be without a strong foundation? What has kept her strong and growing when others might have given up? You are all part of her foundation. Keep that in mind as you work through trials with family members, friends or relatives. You are part of their foundation. Help them stay strong on the foundation they have built with you as part of it. And, a little reminder that Christ is the chief cornerstone doesn't hurt either.
DAD
I think it should be Melissa's turn to pick the scripture for this week.
ReplyDeleteYes it is her turn :0)
DeleteAlso- I just want to say it's a lot easier for me to do this when the passages are short, or just one verse.
One more thing from me: I used this quote in seminary last week as one of my "Conference Quotes of the Day"- from Elder Bednar's talk on Godly Fear- pg 48 of the May Ensign. He quotes Helamen 5:12 and then says:
ReplyDelete"Ordinances and covenants are the building blocks we use to construct our lives upon the foundation of Christ and his atonement." That's what connects us to the Savior.
I'm sorry for the lateness of my post. When I think of this scripture it boils down to where do I look for answers and what do I do when I get it. I was deeply impressed with the very 1st session of general conference. When Mariah chose this scripture I turned to president Uchtdorf talk. There are many things that I feel are tie to this scripture. I will use his words to express my thoughts. "Sometimes, the truth may just seem too straightforward, too plain, and too simple for us to fully appreciate its great value. So we set aside what we have experienced and know to be true in pursuit of more mysterious or complicated information. Hopefully we will learn that when we chase after shadows, we are pursuing matters that have little substance and value."
ReplyDelete"But sometimes we take the beautiful lily of God’s truth and gild it with layer upon layer of man-made good ideas, programs, and expectations. Each one, by itself, might be helpful and appropriate for a certain time and circumstance, but when they are laid on top of each other, they can create a mountain of sediment that becomes so thick and heavy that we risk losing sight of that precious flower we once loved so dearly."
"I pray that we will focus on “the simplicity that is in Christ” and allow His grace to lift and carry us during our journey from where we are now to our glorious destiny in our Father’s presence."
Will you may have been late, but I am the last. Have you noticed how much more the leaders of our day are really focused in on the concept of true internal lasting conversion that will fortify us through whatever challenges we may face. I really enjoyed considering Melissa's question about crumbling from the inside. It made me remember when Sally's (Brad's wife) father, Elder Shultz was just accepting the call you be in the 70 when he shared with us this quote, "Satan has our homes wired." Perhaps we may be building on a sure foundation but Satan can hollow out out any foundation if we are note careful how we filter the use of the "wires" in our home.
ReplyDeleteI always think of my faith like unto climbing an escalator that's going down when I'm trying to go up. The moment I stop trying is the moment my faith begins to weaken. To have faith in Jesus Christ requires constant action no matter how old or new