Energy flows

Wally,

Thanks for this post. As I have taken a few minutes to read comments here and to consider that the difficulties I currently face (mainly work related) are really of small import in the grand scheme of things, I have felt less stress and more joy.

It is funny that people pay good money to get a poor substitute for “the real thing” that is freely available to all: 2 Ne 26:25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.

It seems almost ironic and counter-intuitive that the Lord’s way is so simple: believe, cast your burdens, etc.

I thought I had reduced my favorite blogs to a manageable few, and now I come across yours and see that there is much for me to glean here. Thanks again.

Jim,

I suppose the challenge is that we must decide thousands–or millions–of times to have faith rather than fear. “Remember!” is the counsel of scripture.

Blessings,
Wally

Isn’t that just the best scripture?! The essentials of JOY!

I’ll never forget the day you told me you didn’t think much of planners and all that stuff. You indicated that all that smacked of Korihor and his “managament of the creature” notions.

I admit it was pretty much over my head at the time, but it has been my gold standard as I’ve sought to quit seeking life on my terms and start loving it on God’s.

Thanks for your patience during all those years.

Wally,
I had the same thought about the importance of “remembering” and the many times that we are admonished to do just that.

I think the goal, at least in my mind, is to try to get to the point where we don’t have to “remember” but that we “are” and “know” and “do” without having to think about it. Perhaps to do this would be to become perfect which perhaps isn’t completely attainable in this life, but it is certainly something to strive toward. This is how I view Jesus Christ- that he didn’t have to stop and think about what he should be doing- he was so full of love that he naturally always did and said the best possible thing.

I like the last comment from Jim. I experienced just a taste of what you are talking about a few weeks ago, when after almost three hours of scanning old photographs at a local store, the machine froze and none of my work was saved. They told me to come back in 20 minutes when the machine was working again, but I would need to start over. I didn’t have any inclination to get angry. I understood that it wasn’t the clerk’s fault, I thought about when I would be able to come back, and I walked away peacefully. It wasn’t until later when someone suggested that I would have been justified in being upset but they were proud of me for my control, that I realized that I hadn’t controlled my anger at all; it just wasn’t there. What a gift was given to me right then — insight into Christ’s personality. And what a wonderful thing to look forward to — the hope of being like Him.
Elder McConkie taught that “to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to take the Lord’s side on every issue. It is to vote as he would vote. It is to think what he thinks, to believe what he believes, to say what he would say and do what he would do in the same situation. It is to have the mind of Christ and be one with him as he is one with his Father.” (Ensign, Nov. 1974)

Maybe if we started charging for the gospel of Jesus Christ people would take it seriously. And then, since their money would be wrapped up in it, they would even live it.

Now that I’ve read the comments on this post, I would like to comment again in reference to Jim’s second comment about not having to remember anymore (is that what you were saying or were you saying that as we practice righteousness it becomes a habit and therefore is easier?).

I’m no gospel buff, but I don’t think that not having to remember happens until our calling and election are made sure (when we have arrived). We are becoming more and more like Christ as we CONTINUALLY seek His companionship. My understanding is that we can progress more rapidly if we remember the doctrine the spirit has taught us as we go along. Journal writing can help with remembering but most importantly staying close to the spirit.

I worry about people who expect to arrive during this life. I don’t want them to be disappointed that the struggle continues throughout life (and therefore they might give up – thinking it is too hard to endure). This is why the Lord tells us to expect to learn “line upon line” (VERY SLOWLY progressing forward).

Hey Wally, have you written a post about forgetting? I’m awfully curious as to what the gospel says about how my husband can honestly not remember all the things the spirit has taught him. I love reading your summerized research on topics. It is precise, interesting, thought-provoking and short.