Fasting from...

Recently I have found much strength in making a declaration of fasting. I tell my wife, I am fasting from Youtube, I am fasting from Television, I am fasting from podcasts.

I was first introduced to fasting when as a young boy the first Sunday of the month I would attempt to go without breakfast as a sign to God that I remembered him and loved him more than all earthly appetites. I eventually made it to where as a missionary I was fasting for 24 hour periods regularly in support of another’s faith, or my own testimony’s growth.

Then as a young adult President Russell M. Nelson invited me and thousands of other youth to make a seven day fast from social media platforms. We were to take note of how we felt and make changes as we saw fit. That was the beginning of the end of my social media accounts. I believe that decision to get rid of first Instagram and Twitter, then Facebook, and now a continued fast of YouTube beside the page that I run for Strive to Share has contributed greatly to my peace and happiness. I was more stressed and less happy at first because getting rid of an addiction and filling your life with purer joys takes time, but now that some time has passed, they are no longer as alluring.

Currently I am fasting from media of several kinds, television, podcasts, streaming, and movies. This one is currently a bit painful as a much beloved streaming series is in theaters. I will have to check it out at a later date.

Through these fasts, I have taken note that the addictions to these modern technologies are strong but I have noticed that I am drawn to them far less when I am fasting from them than when I am trying to be more moderate in consumption. I am a glutton when it comes to these things and have far less self control when they have my attention than when I can take a hard break from them.

Involving the Lord in the fast is essential. He is not so much concerned that we become less indulgent or less sinful, he is interested in a vessel clean throughout that he can pour into and drink from. Vices and vises are useful for one thing, keeping something stuck in its place. This is different from being immovable but free. Let us be unwavering in the winds of the adversary and free to move away from the allurements of this modern world.

In a beloved passage in the Book of Mormon, Lehi recounts his vision describing what he saw this ways “they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.”

Said another way we must hold a fast, until the Lord in his mercy will feed us at the tree.

The Only Begotten Son of God

I love little children. They bring so sweet a light to the world. Every child has a pure and undefiled spirit. Even though I love all children, I can easily admit that my own children bring me greater joy than all the other the children in the world. No child is as cute as mine, as smart as mine, as fun to be with as mine, and I care for no other children more than my own.

I believe that we are all children of our Heavenly Father who loves us, perfectly, and infinitely. Yet there was one among the spirit children of God, the firstborn of the Father, who was loved with more love than the rest of us if that is possible for God. If God loved us all the same than perhaps the distinguishing feature of Jesus was that he loved Heavenly Father the most. This righteous and perfect son was also the only spirit child of God who received his physical body with God as the parent. This is why we say that Jesus is the Only Begotten of the Father.

His mortal mother Mary carried this divine child and thus Jesus became the only one capable of completing the Atonement, having within him the blood of divinity that could be shed forever, and the blood of mortals that allowed him to feel every pain we have endured.

This genetic masterpiece gave way to the being who is full of grace and thus the perfect candidate for a redeemer. He was and is holy because he was the Only Begotten Son of the Man of Holiness.

The Unused Gifts

Imagine a scene were gifts are wrapped and are placed beneath the tree. It is a scene we all may have experienced. Only this time there is no restriction given to open and use the gifts. There is no admonition to wait until Christmas or until after breakfast. The gifts are there ready to be opened.

What child would not rush to the tree to open the gifts? Who among us would not experience each marvelous surprise in rapid succession?

This scene is ever present before us. To see it, we must examine the scene with spiritual eyes. God has laid out the gifts, they are many and they are ready to be accessed for the willing seeker. Not all of them are listed in scripture but here are a few:

The gift of the word of wisdom, the gift of the the word of knowledge, the gift of faith, the gift of healing, the gift of working miracles, the gift of prophecy, the gift of discerning spirits, the gift of tongues, the gift of interpretation of tongues, the gift to know that Jesus is the Christ, the gift of belief, the gift of hope, the gift of charity.

These gifts are waiting and they are promised to those who will use them in righteousness.

“Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;

For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts.”

— Doctrine and Covenants 46:8-9

Jesus Christ was Called on a Mission

Jesus has one work and glory. He does that work 100 different ways. He was a prophet and a king. He also took on the assignment to be a sheep who could be beaten, slain, and sacrificed. He was to conquer death and live a perfect life.

He came to earth to spend time with the lost, heal physical and spiritual maladies, giving life through the preaching of his gospel.

He did the will of his Father in all things. Though he came from royal bloodlines, he appeared to men as a servant. His blood was spilt to forge a new covenant. Nothing was too hard for him.

He conquered, so can I. He completed his covenant promise and will help me complete mine.

Jesus Christ completed his mission and I hope to complete mine with the same marvelous fidelity.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

— Luke 4:18-21

Between Obedience and the Blessing - We Patiently Await

When Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane he spoke the most soul stretching sentence in scripture.

“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

— Luke 22:42

He accepted his Father’s will because he believed in the promise of joy that would be his in so doing.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross...”

— Hebrews 12:2

For Jesus and for all of us, there may at times be a waiting period between doing God’s will and seeing God’s blessing in our life.

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

— Hebrews 10:36

But whether he does immediately bless us for our obedience (Mosiah 2:24) or whether our blessings come after much tribulation (Doctrine and Covenants 58:2-4), we can be assured that when we strive to align ourselves with the will of God, here or hereafter we have the promise that we will prosper in the land (2 Nephi 4:4).

When I Am Tempted

The temptations of Jesus are many because, like pain, he experienced every kind. More than any other attribute, the thing that most differentiates Jesus the Christ from mortal man was how he responded when temptation came. He suffered every temptation but gave into none of them.

Studying the life and mission of Jesus Christ, and binding ourselves to him through covenant fortifies our power over the temptations we face. His resolve to be without sin, though tempted, is the reason he could be without blemish, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

“What does it mean to overcome the world? It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God. It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men. It means delighting in truth, denouncing deception, and becoming “humble followers of Christ.” It means choosing to refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away. It means being willing to “give away” even our favorite sins.”

— Overcome the World and Find Rest By President Russell M. Nelson President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find out the strength of the German army by fighting against it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means — the only complete realist.”

— C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity

The Process of Thinking Celestial

For years I chose to ride a downward spiral into misery. What started as a small problem, soon become a much deeper issue in my mind as I contemplated step by step the worst trail of outcomes possible.

Recently, I was blessed to have an experience in which a problem began to trouble me, a car we had just purchased suddenly and rapidly began to throw every signal possible with the worst one being an engine overheating. For a moment later that evening I began my downward momentum.

Instead of sinking into deeper despair, I contemplated how things might work out for good. Could I not resolve the issue this way? Might I not resolve it that way? I soon began an upward path identifying all the blessings, relationships, and structure God had provided in my life so that this problem could remain small and unburdening. I felt that God had showed me how step by step I could trust in him to help me in my situation. I trusted in his Celestial goodness and wisdom.

Many problems are greater than that of a broken vehicle but the solution remains the same.

“When you are confronted with a dilemma, think celestial! When tested by temptation, think celestial! When life or loved ones let you down, think celestial! When someone dies prematurely, think celestial. When someone lingers with a devastating illness, think celestial. When the pressures of life crowd in upon you, think celestial! As you recover from an accident or injury, as I am doing now, think celestial!

As you think celestial, your heart will gradually change. You will want to pray more often and more sincerely. Please don’t let your prayers sound like a shopping list. The Lord’s perspective transcends your mortal wisdom. His response to your prayers may surprise you and will help you to think celestial.”

— Think Celestial! By President Russell M. Nelson President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

His Servants the Prophets

God has once again called a prophet to the earth. His purposes and his teachings are communicated to the world by this source. The scriptures are the compilation of the words of God to his prophets and the lessons his servants have detailed to teach us about him.

His wisdom and his love are made available to us all because of his son, Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ is once again speaking with his children to declare his will for us in this age. How wonderful a truth!

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

By Labour Shall Increase

A common theme in the scriptures is that riches gained before one is righteous in keeping the commandments of God will often lead to greater iniquity. When wisdom and righteousness are the first pursuits it is often but not always accompanied by greater monetary blessings. Such blessings are often gained just as wisdom is, line upon line, day after day.

As we who are all in need of the temporal and spiritual blessings of the Lord focus on the hard work that rewards the companion pursuits of money and wisdom we can know that our labor will be rewarded as we heed the instruction of our God.

“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”

— Proverbs 13:11, 18

My Wisdom is Greater

Yesterday I was called when at the apartments I work for there was a small waterfall from the hose connecting the washer to its water source. Water was all over the bathroom. In less than 30 minutes we had the water all cleaned up and fans down to dry the waterfilled area. No significant damage was detected.

After the flood, I went to another bathroom on a different property where there had been a crack in the tile and a small piece of missing grout that had been missing for years. Water entered into the floor a little bit at a time going undetected through the missing grout line, until one day there had dripped so much water that the ceiling below had start to spill water coming from above. As we ripped up the tile we found the sub floor in terrible condition and the tile laid poorly. The slow leak over many years had completely rotted out the floor.

God knows that his children will learn best slowly, line upon line, and precept upon precept, a little at a time until the fulness is known.

Satan, the corrupt copy-cat, also knows that when sin is dumped out and displayed before the righteous all at once they are more likely to recognize the hazardous effect it could take on them. Satan too prefers the slow unending digression into his evil paths that rot away the soul of many slowly and undetected until nothing but a complete and deliberate remodel could rescue the sinner.

Doctrine and Covenants 10:5 gives us our best remedy against the influence of Satan “Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.”

It may also be helpful to remember that even if it ever appears that Satan is winning the eternal battle for the souls of men Christ has declared the victory.

“I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.”

— Doctrine and Covenants 10:43

They Shall See the Son of Man

The world moves from conflict to conflict and heartache to heartache in a seemingly never-ending cycle. Prophesied are these difficult and tumultuous times and they seem to have the power to overwhelm us.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;’

'Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken (Luke 21:25-26).”

Yet while so many have their hearts failing them for fear, many others are coming to know Jesus Christ and finding peace.

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

— Luke 21:27

It is not a given that fear will be a part of the last days. As we seek to see the Son of man coming he will share with us his power and great glory to overcome all fear.

Poured Out My Soul Before the Lord

Our testimony of Jesus the Christ often comes after diligently seeking him in prayer. Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, found her testimony strengthened after pouring out her soul to the Lord. Her testimony has been a strength to men and women alike throughout time and was an inspiration to Jesus’ own mother when she was asked to bare the Son of God.

“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
”

— 1 Samuel 2:1-10

Accustomed to the Miracle of Childbirth

From the book “Lord increase my faith” this observation is made.

“Every day we witness miracles that include fertility, conception, gestation, and birth. The older I get and the more women I know that struggle to have children the more I realize it is a miracle we have become accustomed to. We no longer recognize these miracles and sometimes forget to be grateful for them.”

That miracle is sometimes sought after with great longing and like Hannah, Sarah, Rachel, and many others it is often delayed. In this much sought-after blessing and in so many other trying times of necessity God has the power to be miraculous.

“But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord”

— 1 Samuel 1:5, 17, 20

Changed by the Person of Jesus Christ

I find Jesus Christ to be genuinely helpful to me in my life.

We will all disagree on some point of philosophy, or lived experience, or ideology. Whatever your beliefs about the hundreds of issues you might choose to get involved with, I have found that there is a lot of joy in linking yourself in some way with Jesus Christ.

At some point I personally hope our society will all choose to build around Jesus Christ and his teachings, striving for obedience and repentance.

Because I am aware that even Jesus Christ and his teachings are being twisted and turned to fit the many issues we face, I will try when I can not use his words and the words of living prophets as a thumping stick to prove a point but use their words to try and pattern my life.

I hope to be forgiven by friends and Jesus himself where I got it wrong and look forward to being changed by his teachings and the person of Jesus Christ, my Savior.

What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am (3 Nephi 27:27).

What blessings, if any, have you seen as you have tried aligning yourself more closely with one of his teachings?

We Need Miracles

While serving a mission in Spain for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I spoke to my fellow missionaries and asked them a question. How many of you believe the scripture from the Book of Mormon that I am about to read?

It was not clear to them how they should respond. They had not heard the scripture read and so were tentative to open their hearts to the idea that they just automatically would believe. I reminded them again that this was a scripture from the Book of Mormon and by virtue of that fact they should all be raising their hands. They did so as they understood my intentions were not malicious but faith-promoting.

The scripture I read to them is one that I wish played more of a role in my life today and is one that I wrote about recently.

For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith. - 2 Nephi 27:23

We need miracles, today more than ever because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may not come. As we reach out in faith and trust the promises made in scripture we can see miracles in our day like prophets of old.

Is Any Thing Too Hard for the Lord?

God sent three angels to give Abraham long awaited news. Sarah in her old age would bare a son. Sarah laughed at the idea.

After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? - Genesis 18:12

God’s counsel and censure to Sarah was telling. “Is any thing too hard for the Lord (Genesis 18:14)?”

What promised blessings are yours that you might be beginning to doubt? Does your patriarchal blessing speak of work, marriage, or service? Trust in these promises and the promises peppered on every page of scripture. These are yours because the Lord has promised them unto you.

Let God Prevail

In the current state of affairs, it is possible and even likely that stress, anxiety, fear, and even real evil wins out. At times it may seem that there may not be much that we are able to do. How could we possibly go up against —,—, or —? But God has provided a way for us to help out in his work in a significant way even when it otherwise may appear difficult to do so.

Jesus taught His disciples to “watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36).”

Today I expand my call for prayer to all people from every country around the world. No matter how you pray or to whom you pray, please exercise your faith —whatever your faith may be —and pray for your country and for your national leaders.

How great is the power of prayer, and how needed are our prayers of faith in God and His Beloved Son in the world today! Let us remember and appreciate the power of prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. — M. Russell Ballard, October, 2020

His Arm is Extended to All People

If you want heaven, it is yours.

And thus the work of the Lord did commence among the Lamanites; thus the Lord did begin to pour out his Spirit upon them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name. - Alam 19:36

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. - Acts 10:34-35

For there is no respect of persons with God. - Romans 2:11

Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God… And he loveth those who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he remembered the covenants which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt. - 1 Nephi 17:35, 40

Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen. - Alma 26:37

Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you. - Alma 5:33

And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation. - 3 Nephi 18:25

Thou Shalt No More Be Termed Forsaken

Something inherent in God’s nature is to take joy in changing the broken, forgotten, ruined, and beaten into that which is whole, remembered, perfected, and healed. The promise of this power is repeated in many places of scripture with many different individuals and with entire peoples.

This verse stood out among others for its promise to restore Israel

“Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah (my desire is in her), and thy land Beulah (married wife): for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married (Isaiah 62:4).”

Let God Prevail

Fear of God, Fear of Man

The fear that we have been talking about is sometimes compared to or confused with the fear of God. In Alma’s first year as Chief Judge over the people of Nephi a man named Nehor tried to convince the people that they need not fear God, and disguised it by saying they need not fear. One message true and the other false.

And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and , in the end, all me should have eternal life. - Alma 1:4

If you like the sounds of that message you are not alone, people liked his message “even so many that they began to support him and give him money (Alma 1:5).”

The message of do not fear nor tremble is God’s, but Nehor used it to remove the humility and meekness we must present before God (fear). It is the fear of God that must be maintained and the fear of man that can leave us. Nehor taught to fear not God and give heed to man.

There is a great deal more to the above scripture, but as we seek to fear God (humility and meekness) and to not fear man, we will find that both types of fear cannot be displayed in unity.