Visiting Teaching message hit me strong

I wanted to share a moment of inspiration that happened to me on Friday and yesterday. I went visiting teaching on Friday and used the August Ensign message and then my VT's came to visit me yesterday and we talked about both August's and September's message. Let me share a couple of thoughts that were so impactful for me.

In August's message President Lorenzo Snow (1814-1901) said this: "We believe that we are the offspring of our Father in heaven, and that we possess in our spiritual organizations the same capabilities, powers and faculties that our Father possesses, although in an infantile state, requiring to pass through a certain course or ordeal by which they will be developed and improved according to the heed we give to the principles we have received”. I have known this concept but the thing that really hit me was that we must pass through ordeals in order to develop the powers that will allow us to become as our Father in Heaven is, while giving heed to the principles of the Gospel.

Then, in Romans 8:16-17 this scripture clarifies again the same concept in a little different fashion: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

To me this helps me see that in order for us to inherit the kingdom of God, we MUST SUFFER as Christ did, not necessarily as bad, so that we can be joint-heirs with Christ of our Father's kingdom.

So the ordeal or suffering, is an integral part of inheriting the Kingdom of God, while giving heed to the commandments. Not letting the trials and ordeals become so overwhelming in our lives that we cannot keep the big picture in mind.

I loved these concepts.

Then in September's message it further clarifies and adds to this concept:

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency: “The purpose of God’s creations and of His giving us life is to allow us to have the learning experience necessary for us to come back to Him, to live with Him in eternal life. That is only possible if we have our natures changed through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, true repentance, and making and keeping the covenants He offers all of His Father’s children through His Church”.

Doctrine and Covenants 78:18: “Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.”

What great promises! We cannot lose hope because of adversity. We must continue on, focusing on keeping the commandments and he will lead us along.

I love you all and know that through these trials and ordeals we will grow closer and be together forever.

Love Mom