Returning to Love

When we were created as spirits in the premortal world, we were created into love. This is our natural state. This is why love feels so good to us. It feels like we are at home there. But in the premortal world, we had not experienced the opposite: fear. Therefore, we could not fully comprehend what we had. We could not experience a fullness of joy. Coming to earth, and taking upon us a mortal body, provided the opportunity to experience fear. This only happens when we are separated from God. It is our fear that keeps us from feeling the love of God that our spirits crave and that is our birthright as sons and daughters of God: Fear that we are not good enough; fear that we won't have enough; fear that we won't be loved and accepted by others and by God. To whatever degree we allow fear into our hearts, love leaves. And to whatever degree we are able to allow our fears to die, love automatically comes to fill the vacuum in our heart. The first and great commandment is to love the Lord thy God with all our hearts. The second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. This should come as no surprise because as we learn to open and soften our hearts to experience this love, we have had to learn how to banish our fears. We have returned to that original state we were born into as spirits. But now we comprehend what a blessing it is to feel this love. We know what it is like to feel the absence of it. We now understand what good and evil are. We understand that anything that is good is inspired by love. Conversely, anything that is evil is inspired by fear. Truly, fear leads to death of both body and spirit. But charity, the pure love of Christ, endureth forever. We are commanded to love God, ourselves and each other so that we can have a fullness of joy; returning to the love that is our birthright, but now being able to comprehend what a great blessing it is to us, having now experienced its opposite; having now consciously chosen love over fear; good over evil.

Opening Our Hearts to the Comfort of the Holy Spirit

Most of the time I love my life and feel very blessed. But there are times when I'm hurting, or someone I love is hurting, and heartfelt prayers seem to be unanswered. I realize that prayers are not always answered in the way we desire, and sometimes that can make us feel frustrated or even alone. So the question arises, "How can I keep my heart open to feeling the love of the Lord even when I do not understand? How can I access the comfort we are promised because of the atonement?

Sometimes we might not feel comfort because we are looking to have our physical suffering taken away. When that doesn't happen, we feel that the Lord is not there. Then I think of Jesus suffering on the cross carrying the weight of the sins of the world. As excruciating as it was for Him to bear this suffering, the only time He cried out was when He briefly lost the companionship of His Father. He said,
"My God, my God! Why hast thou forsaken me?" For the first time in His life, He experienced what it was like to lose the Spirit of God. Likewise, when we lose the Spirit, either because of unrepented sin or lack of faith, or even anger toward God because we don't understand why we have to endure this trial, our suffering becomes unbearable. We shut ourselves off from the comfort the Lord stands ready and willing to give if we will just open our hearts to it. The Lord may not remove the trial, because that would not be in our best interest. But He will make it bearable and comfort us and give us the needed strength to endure it well.

And just as I know that Jesus Christ volunteered to be our Savior, I know that I agreed to the mission I came to earth to fulfill. It is not in the nature of God to compell me to do something I did not agree to. So the next time I feel like my prayer is not being answered because a trial is not being removed, I hope that I will realize that the Lord may only be honoring something I previously agreed to and wanted to experience so that I could become more like Him.

Jesus Christ suffered for my sins and my sicknesses, both physical and spiritual. He understands exactly what I am going through and will give me comfort and peace like no one else can. He is not indifferent to my suffering. I am sure He weeps when I weep. And when I am joyful, His joy is full. I am grateful for this mortal experience. I will not blame God for all the pain and suffering that mortal life entails, for it is an unavoidable part of the plan I agreed to. I am grateful that our Father was willing to provide a way for us to become like Him. To have the joy that He ejoys. What an unbelievable blessing!

Safe in the Arms of Jesus

Yesterday some friends commented to me how they hate to be alone at night and how they especially hate to be in the dark. Sometimes it is even hard to sleep because the fear can be so paralyzing. I think we all would rather be in the light, where we can clearly see each step we should take and are assured that there is no danger lurking around the corner. How blessed we are to be given the light of Christ when we are born to help us discern the light from the darkness so we can always walk in the light of His love. An even greater blessing we can recieve when we make sacred baptismal covenants and are confirmed as members of the Lord's church and kingdom is the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the Comforter and is our constant companion as we strive to live worthy of His presence. Because of this, we need never to be alone, and we can always walk in the light. Even if we cannot always see exactly what lies ahead, we can take another step in faith, knowing that the Holy Ghost will light the way and we can trust that no matter what happens, we are always safe in the arms of our Savior's love. As we pray and ask for the Spirit to be with us, our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ replaces the fear. Wrapped in the warm, comforting blanket of the spirit, darkness and fear melt away and we can go to sleep. No harm can come to us with our Comforter near.

"Through the valley and shadow of death though I stray,
Since thou art my Guardian, no evil I fear.
Thy rod shall defend me, thy staff be my stay.
No harm can befall with my Comforter near.
No harm can befall with my Comforter near."

--James Montgomery(Hymn #108 The Lord is my Shepherd)