He never forgets. Never forsakes

My thoughts have been focused on having a testimony of Jesus Christ. At stake conference yesterday, we sang very powerfully the hymn, "How Firm a Foundation". Elder Lawrence spoke at the conference. Having triumphed over "mormon standard time", my roommates snagged great seats. I will never forget how I felt while singing the last few lines of the seventh verse and witnessing Elder Lawrence's reaction. "I'll never, no never, I'll never, no never, I'll never, no never, no never forsake!" I looked up to see the emotion and strongest conviction in Elder Lawrence's eyes. I felt it. And I know that he felt it. It was so sweet to see this leader of the church truly feel the power of those words. It strengthened my testimony of who Christ is and that I would never deny Him as my Savior.

I read a beautiful verse from the visiting teaching message that references Isaiah 49:16 and Christ's inability to forget us: "Christ has 'graven [us] upon the palms of [His] hands". I love what these words mean literally and symbolically. He allowed His scars to remain as a reminder to us, to God, to Himself of the great love He has for us. His sacrifice is so much a part of Him and His love so eternal, that He will never forsake us!

I think it's important that we remind ourselves of the love that Christ has for each of us! It's a love that is real and powerful. I think that we can do our part to graven Christ upon ourselves figuratively. Our relationship with Christ is so precious, but there is always more we can do to better make Him a part of our lives. I'm so grateful for Him. I know that He lives. I know that He knows and loves me more than I can comprehend. I know that if we actively come unto Christ, we will strengthen our relationship with Him and feel more joy because of it!

The most desirable above all things..

I've been jumping a bit around the Book of Mormon in my daily reading. I read in 3 Nephi 19:9 about the disciples praying to God for that which they most desired, i.e. the Holy Ghost. That is such a profound and beautiful gift that the Lord can give us. This weekend I was just thinking about how truly amazing the gift of the Holy Ghost is. We literally have the companionship of a personage of the godhead. Isn't that incredible? I had an amazing gospel chat with my roommates last night. We philosophized and talked about our questions and testimonies of the gospel. The Spirit filled the room. I don't think I realized how strong it was until we had finished and I sat there thinking about how happy and peaceful I felt.

For a reading assignment in my religion class, I came across 1 Nephi 11:22-23. Nephi discovers the meaning of the fruit of the tree of life: "yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things....Yea and the most joyous to the soul".
I then made the connection between the two scriptures. It is through the Holy Ghost, that we TRULY feel of God's love. The disciples desired the companionship of the Holy Ghost because it was HOW God shows His love to them. I was very touched to be reminded of the importance and beauty of this gift that God has given me.

On another note, we have the privilege to share the LOVE of God with others around us through missionary efforts, home/visiting teaching efforts...etc. When we speak with the power of the Holy Ghost, we are essentially manifesting God's love unto these people. It's an amazing process! I know that God can speak to us, but we must not only pray for it but DESIRE it.

Choose Christ

Recently I have been thinking about the power of the adversary in our lives. Several focused their thoughts on Satan's influence in fast and testimony meeting yesterday. It was a very timely reminder to me as I have felt contention arise in my heart over a few things. Someone said something that really stood out to me. He said how we do not have the power alone to rid ourselves of Satan. It reminded me of Moses and how Satan NEVER departs until he says "through the authority of Jesus Christ". It was a reminder to me that Satan's power is real AND even more so, Jesus Christ's power is very real. It is through His Atonement, that we can rid ourselves of Satan and withstand temptation.

In chapter 7 of Moroni, Mormon talks of the importance of faith, hope and charity and how they are all connected. It's a beautiful chapter that brings to focus the power of the adversary. I specifically liked verse 19 "Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ."

The way by which we can discern good from evil is to seek Christ and search Him diligently. The closer we come to Christ and understanding His Atonement, the greater our faith will be. We will be more filled with the Spirit as we come unto Christ. Our resistance to temptations will be stronger. Christ is the KEY source to overcoming Satan's power. It's quite a simple, yet profound thought. I know that Jesus Christ is our true Savior. He is THE light to our eternal happiness. If we become a child of Christ, we will "lay hold upon every good thing". That is such a beautiful promise!!