Category: Jesus Christ

Studying about this lately

This month, I have some opportunities to teach about the trials of the early Latter-day Saints. As part of my preparation, I compiled my highlights from general conferences and church magazines on the subject of trials. Perhaps there is something in this document that would be helpful to you.

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Many treasures, hidden riches, and even my knowledge of God have been gained during difficult times.

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

Isaiah 45:3

Directed

I made it out for a walk last night, but I decided to veer off my usual route and wander onto Charlene’s street. She was visible through her open gate to the backyard, watering her tomatoes. When I waved, she invited me back to see her yard, cared for by her wonderful children in honor of her late husband who always kept things beautiful. We shared an important conversation, and as I walked home, I realized that the Lord had steered me to just the person I needed. His timing was perfect.

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August 7 was the 7th anniversary of Daniel’s mission departure and Mark’s 10-month mark as a missionary. This was also the beginning of many years as a missionary mom, as Tim’s mission also deserves mention here.

The missionary years have offered some of the biggest lessons of life for our family.

This short video came up in my feed and I appreciate how he describes one of those big lessons. Whether as a missionary, or basic disciple like me, sharing light matters.

The following passage of Scripture describes the creations of God, including the sun, moon, and stars, but all of His creations can shine His light. I like to think this verse describes an important purpose of life,

And they give light to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years…

Doctrine and Covenants 88:44

Commandments

Focus on Joy by Michael Malm

A question from the Doctrine and Covenants Come Follow Me curriculum:

To what can I compare commandments?

  • A recipe for a happy life
  • Instructions
  • Prerequisites for a course to know God
  • A map
  • A ruler, or standard of measurement
  • A compass
  • A lantern
  • A pathway
  • A road sign
  • A life vest
  • A reminder of home
  • The laws governing motion towards God.
  • A guardrail on a treacherous path
  • A lighthouse in a storm
  • A bridge to something otherwise inaccessible
  • Steps on a ladder
  • Lines on the road, keeping me safe in darkness.
  • Lines on writing paper, guiding my words.
  • The familiar stretch of road leading to our home.
  • The character traits of God
  • God’s love language

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15

What would you add to this list?

An important quote guiding my current study of D&C 76

While one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and parental regard…He is a wise Lawgiver, and will judge all men, not according to the narrow, contracted notions of men…

-Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 218.

All are invited

A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Luke 14:16-24

This parable is referenced in Section 58 of the Doctrine and Covenants as the Lord uses it to teach about building Zion. (D&C 58:8-11) A key identifier of a Zion people is their focus on gathering others to the gospel feast. The servants in this parable go out and invite everyone, absolutely everyone.

How am I doing at accepting the invitation?

How am I doing at inviting others?

My favorite detail from this parable is that the Lord has prepared a wonderful feast and he wants his house filled. How parental. The older I get, the more I understand the longing for a full table with each child present. Magnify my small capacity and longing by an infinite amount and that would describe the Lord’s interest in helping all his children know that they are invited, numbered, and loved.

Nominative determinism

Nominative determinism means that our names can influence our interests, personality, and life choices. For example, I knew a girl in middle school named Charisma, and her personality matched her name perfectly. My dad’s name means beloved, and he is! My mother’s name is Carol, and yes, music is a huge part of her life.

My name is Angela Christie. I’ve teased my mom about this in the past, “No pressure with that name, Mom.” When I married Richard, my name became Angela C. Ross. After many years, I noticed that my middle initial and last name spell the word cross. ✝️ (Hopefully the religious kind, not the grumpy kind!)

Sometimes my name stings with the disconnect I see between the real and the ideal. Other days, I am grateful for the reminder of potential and promise.

You and I are called to be better each day, no matter our names or their origins. Those who make and keep covenants become children of Christ and take his name. Nominative determinism suggests that each covenant child is set on a path for a glorious future, and I know that Christ will help us live up to his name if we let him.

Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.

Mosiah 26:18

My class

Posing for a picture to send to Mark on his birthday

I learn many things as a teacher of this Sunday School class. I have been a student of the scriptures throughout my life, and I have experience in receiving personal revelation about passages of scripture, but there is a new level of insight that has come with this calling.

Clear ideas flood my mind when I prepare to teach this group of adults.

My takeaway is that these adults are as precious to the Lord as the children and youth of the church. What happens in our Sunday School class matters to Him because He loves them and wants to help them.