Remember the Lord

I've been really busy lately, and it has been difficult for me to do my homework and really take time to focus on things other than school. But then I remember how important it is for me to remember Christ. When the fiery serpents came to afflict Moses' people for unrighteousness, the Lord provided a remedy for the serpent bites. He had Moses make a brass serpent and put it atop a pole "that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live" (Alma 33:19).

The brass serpent was a representation of Christ. Likewise, if we are afflicted in any way, we can look to Christ and live. He will help us in our afflictions. I know because He helps me in my afflictions everyday.

The Importance of Prophets

The brother of Jared was a prophet in Ancient America. He saw and spoke with the Lord Jesus Christ. While they conversed, the Lord "showed unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, and also all that would be; and he withheld them not from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth" (Ether 3:25).

Something important to remember about prophets is that they have already seen what will come. They know what trials and temptations await us. Listening to prophets, both ancient and modern, is so important because of this. One important proclamation from a modern-day prophet is about the family. Take a moment to read "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

Jesus Christ - The Rock

At church today, I was inspired by a scripture that a friend shared. I actually memorized this scripture when I was sixteen. It is found in Helaman 5:12. "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." I've thought about that scripture a lot today. It seems that lately I have had lots of afflictions. Those are the devil's storms that he is sending to distract me and shake me from my faith in Christ.

Christ is truly the rock upon which we should build a foundation. He has "overcome the world". He has shown that because of this, we can also overcome the world through Him. Although we might be shaken, although we may ask "Why me?", although we may feel sorrow, we can always trust in Christ. Even in our most sore difficulties, He is there to comfort us. We just need to ask for His comfort.

There is a saying that a friend of mine gave me years back. "Sometimes the Lord calms the sea. Sometimes He lets the storms rage, and calms our hearts." He won't take away the trials, but He will make them easier. I know that He will, and I hope that others will utilize His help as well.

Jesus testifies of himself (continued)

After reading Ether 3:14, I started to think more about the doctrines contained within it. This scripture has so much to offer. It is impossible to read through the whole thing just once and understand the importance that it represents. It is better to look at the scripture in segments.

"Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people." Jesus was chosen in the beginning to become the Savior of the world. We accepted him as our Savior and relied on Him that He would accomplish what He promised. Our salvation rests on Him alone, and upon our acceptance of Him as our Savior.

"Behold, I am Jesus Christ." Throughout the Old Testament, prophets testify of the Lord Jesus Christ and of His coming. Here, Christ testifies of Himself. This appearance to the brother of Jared is similar to Christ's appearance and conversation with Moses in Exodus 33 where Moses speaks with the Lord "face to face." It is a miraculous appearance and shows that Christ is able to reveal himself unto mankind.

"I am the Father and the Son." This statement sometimes confuses people. How can Christ be both the Father and the Son? Abinadi, a prophet who lived hundreds of years after the brother of Jared, clarified this point of doctrine in Mosiah 15:2-4. Abinadi says that Christ is the Son because he was born of the Father. He is the Father because He is subject unto the Father, and so His acts are in correlation to His Father. Thus, He is the Father and the Son.

"In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters." Eternal life comes through Jesus Christ, just as He stated in John 14:6. Eternal life is to live with the Father, and it is given to all mankind who believe on Christ. It is what I strive for, and what I hope others strive for also.

It is so wonderful to think that Christ was prepared to redeem us and help us return to the Father. I am so grateful for His mercy that He shows towards me and towards all people.

Jesus testifies of himself

When the Lord Christ appeared to the brother of Jared, this is what He said. It is a strong testimony of his mission.

"Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters." (Ether 3:14)