Dear Sisters,
I meant to get an email out all last week, and the time just got away from me, but you have been in my thoughts and prayers.
I thought I would just share a few thoughts from my lesson last Sunday. I apologize if you are hearing it for the second time, but I miss you primary and young women sisters, too. J
With our ward Relief Society theme of “Faith to Follow the Prophet”, I have felt impressed for some time that I needed to emphasize the importance of keeping the commandments, especially since that was the title of one of our prophets most recent talks. He reminded us that the commandments are not restrictions that keep us from being happy, but are in fact they way to happiness.
This spring, we were able to enjoy the fruit of our fall planting labor, as we watched the beautiful bulbs pop up.
At one point, I noticed a plant growing around the tulips. I didn’t recognize it, so I decided to leave it and see what it might turn out to be. I described it to my husband and asked what it was, and he warned me not to pull it out, but let him spray it or it would come back more aggressively.
I soon found out he was right.
This weed craftily bound itself around the nearby tulips and choked them out. It curled itself around the stems to climb high, but in the end, they all fell.
This experience caused me to ponder how, like the weed, Satan tried to bind us and take away our precious gift of agency. And also, how sometimes, when the weeds are really bad, we might need "an expert" or “the Savior” to help us remove them.
· 2 Ne 2:27: (Note the way Satan is described in this verse.)
o 27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
Sisters, just as the song says, I testify that there is great “safety and peace” in keeping the commandments.
“When we keep the commandments, our lives will be happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated. Our challenges and problems will be easier to bear, and we will receive His promised blessings.”
(Pres. Monson)
I hope each of us will "choose liberty and eternal life" by clinging to the Savior. Please take a moment this week to reflect on how keeping the commandment has made your life happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated, and express gratitude to the Lord for giving you commandments to live by.
I love you and hope you have a wonderful sunshiny week!
Sincerely,
Lydia
