So with the beginning of the semester at BYU comes a new and interesting religion class. This semester I am taking Doctrine and Covenants, which is modern day revelation from God about the organization of His true church. Such a fantastic class. Seriously though. I have been in this class two days and I have already learned so much.
Today I read Sections 3 and 10. These sections came in response to the lost 116 pages of the Book of Mormon. I just thought it was going to two chapters of thinking "Oh! You've been chastised!" Totally not true. I mean, yes there is chastisement in there, but it also has some fantastic things to apply. My second assumption was that I was going to really connect with section 10 because of the awesome verse 5. Which was true, but what I wasn't expecting was the tremendous words inside section 3. SO MUCH GOODNESS!!! Have I told you how much I love the scriptures? Because I do. A LOT!
D&C 3:4- "For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him."
Wow. All of those hard times that I thought I made it through on my own. Yeah right! This explains how I would just dig myself a deeper hole somedays. If there is one thing that I have learned these past couple of years, it is that I can do nothing without Him. Well I can, but it really is so much better to pass through this life with Heavenly Father by my side. I feel much like Ammon in Alma 26:12 when he said, "I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God." I cannot say that I have anything to credit to my name. It is our dear Heavenly Father who made the work happen, I was just a tool in His hand.
Don't believe how great He is? See verses 7&8 of section 3, then try it. You will definitely see.
Verses 9-11 of section 3 are what struck me the most. My favorite way to apply the scriptures in the D&C is to insert my own name. So verse 9: "Behold, thou art [Beth], and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord..." Well this is fantastic new. I have been chosen to do the work of the Lord. We all have been chosen to do His work. We each have a unique role in which only we can do. But here is the rest of the verse that is the condition, "...but because of transgression, if thou art not aware thou wilt fall."
We are going to make mistakes. That is inevitable. I personally probably make 35 a day. On a good day. However, I do my best to always stay righteous. Do I fall now and then? Yes, but I get up as fast as possible. The point that this scripture is saying that we need to be aware of the mistakes that could disqualify us from doing the work we have been called to do. If we are sensitive to the spirit, we will feel the Holy Ghost us stopping us from making serious mistakes. Following such promptings will allow to maintain worthy to accomplish our individual missions in carrying out the work of the Lord.
What if you have disqualified yourself? See verse 10. "But, remember, God is merciful: therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou are still chose and art again called to the work." Repent of your mistakes. He will call us again to the work.
It is my testimony that each of us have been given unique gifts and talents to assist us in the work that we were called to do. When we turn to Heavenly Father, together we can accomplish this work. To be an instrument in His hands is wonderful experience, something that I will always cherish. Follow the promptings of the spirit and two things will happen. We will not be lead astray and we will discover what the work is that He has in store for us. There are amazing things that each of us will do. Don't give up that opportunity for a few minutes of pleasure.
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