Scripture Sunday: pure love, come fill my soul

Christ healing at the Pool of Bethesda -- I found the image {here} 

Currently one of my favorite hymns is O Love That Glorifies the Son (number 295 in the LDS Hymns). I sang and played it on the piano at home this morning. These are the gorgeous words.

1. O love that glorifies the Son,

O love that says, "Thy will be done!"

Pure love whose spirit makes us one—

Come, fill my soul today;
Come, fill my soul today.

2. O love that binds our family,
O love that brings my heart to thee,
Pure love that lasts eternally—

Come, fill my soul today;
Come, fill my soul today.

3. O love that overcomes defeat,
O love that turns the bitter sweet,
Pure love that makes our lives complete—

Come, fill my soul today;
Come, fill my soul today.

4. O Lord, give me the will to mend;
O Lord, change me from foe to friend;
Dear Lord, sustain me to the end—

Come, fill my soul today;
Come, fill my soul today.

Text and music: Lorin F. Wheelwright, 1909–1987

A scripture reference that talks about Christlike love comes from the admirable Moroni in The Book of Mormon {click that link for an excellent general conference talk by Elder Henry B. Eyring}. When Moroni speaks of brethren he means all people.

Moroni 7:46-48

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail--

But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever, and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. 

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

I am thankful that God has helped me to increase in charity. I am thankful for each calling that I have had in the Church and for those who have served me. I know that "pure love . . . makes our lives complete" and that the Lord wants to "sustain [us] to the end." May you feel loved today and may the rest of your Sunday be good!

and windowsills

There are a few blog posts I've already started in my head -- some with photos, some without -- but blogging hasn't been a priority lately.  This morning I had extra time (complete quiet! amazing!) for scripture study, pondering, and personal writing.  I needed it; I needed to be more on track spiritually.  I want to write here, too.  This topic has been on my mind for a few days.

When my "big girl" prays, I learn.  First of all, she almost always wants to be the one to pray.  She's not necessarily polite -- she says "I'm saying it!" -- but it's important that she likes to talk to her "Heavenly Father up in heaven."  At night she sometimes says that she wants Daddy to be able to hear her pray.  She does let us take turns, though.

Second, she shows as she prays that she loves and cares about her family.  She says that we're thankful for L and thankful that we get to take care of L.  She prays for Daddy when he is at work.  She prays that we will all sleep well and not have bad dreams.  

Third, she puts thought into what she says in a prayer.  She repeats some phrases that she's used before, but she really is thinking.  That's a good example and reminder to me to think about what I should really pray for.  Also, her long prayers have taught me that I need to be more patient and keep my mind focused on the prayer whenever anyone prays!

Finally, my big girl teaches me to be grateful for little things.  A couple of times I've glanced at her when she's saying a prayer at mealtime (tangent: she has often said, "Bless this . . . is it breakfast or lunch?") and she appears to be looking around the room for ideas of what to thank Heavenly Father for.  I love that she says things like this: "We're thankful for pajamas, and tables, and plates, and bowls, and cups, and spoons, and forks, and knives, and bananas, and books, and songs, and movies, and snow, and flowers, and grass, and trees, and birds, and elephants, and lights, and walls, and ceilings, and windows, and windowsills, and we're thankful that Jesus died for us and was resurrected."  (Those commas are starting to look weird, but I'll leave it as is.)  Seriously, what would life be like without some of those things?  Then she asks us what parts of her prayer we liked the most.  I love her.

Comments on your child(ren)'s prayers are welcome!

scripture sunday: "for gladness"

In my opinion, section 19 is one of the best in the whole Doctrine and Covenants (a book of scripture containing revelations from the Lord to modern prophets). I love the Savior's explanation of His commandments -- which are for our benefit and joy in this life and beyond! -- that we pray, repent, and preach repentance. Jesus Christ said that He suffered for every person, so "that they might not suffer if they would repent" (verse 16). I am so grateful for His sacrifice.

My love for verse 23 has increased over the years:

                   ^{Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.}


Doctrine and Covenants section 19, verses 38-41 (39 is my very favorite in this section): 

    Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.

    Behold, canst thou read this without rejoicing and lifting up thy heart for gladness?

    Or canst thou run about longer as a blind guide?

    Or canst thou be humble and meek, and conduct thyself wisely before me? Yea, come unto me thy Savior. Amen.

Can we be humble and meek and conduct ourselves wisely? Yes, if we come unto our Savior. I believe that Jesus communicates all of these things to individuals. Scripture study is personal, and I hope you don't mind me being personal with this kind of blog post. I want to be better at feasting on the scriptures and prayer every day. I know that that is how I learn of Him, have peace in Him, and have the Holy Ghost poured out upon me. I want to be guided (by someone who knows much more than I do), not blind. I love the blessings Heavenly Father has already given me that are more valuable than treasures of the world. When I read and ponder D&C 19, my heart is lifted up for gladness.

thankful month: days 15 and 16

November 15: I am thankful for times when I feel like I am being understood accurately, and that the other person doesn't seem to think I'm stupid. I strive to understand others. If it's hard for me to understand what a person is saying, I hope that at least I show that I wish I could understand. Sometimes Emma Lou Thayne's words -- inseparable from the tune I know -- come into my mind, and they are comforting: "Who, who can understand? He, only One."

November 16: I am thankful for prayer and the intangible blessings I receive because I pray.