Participate

Dear Sisters,

Happy Valentine's Week!  I hope you dear sisters know how much I love you!  You are a great blessing in my life!

I have such a cool Dad.  

He stopped by on his way through town this last week and brought me flowers.  He is an Artist, Professor and Floral Designer, in addition to being a great father.  My parents often text neat thoughts to ponder to my siblings and I throughout the week.  This was something my Dad said that stuck with me this week:

"It is important for us to willingly participate in the Gospel Plan if we want the benefit of the promised blessings.  It is not enough to just believe.  We need to participate.  Our participation in worship, just singing the hymns, for example, or just going to a ward or branch activity, even when we might have other things we would like to do, allows the spirit to interact with us in a way that might not otherwise happen.  Being a participant provides experiential learning, mentoring, and opportunities to share what we feel with others, which helps us clarify our understanding, and gain wisdom.  This leads to an increased confidence and ability to testify of truth--it is an upward spiral, a trajectory toward exaltation."

I appreciated his reminder.  Sometimes we may feel busy or burdened by all that is asked of us as members of the church, but it is good to remember the added light and knowledge that come from sometimes going the extra mile.

Elder Bednar has spoken a few times on the importance of "acting and not being acted upon" or showing our faith by practicing it.

“What we know is not always reflected in what we do.” 

 

But it should be, shouldn't it?  We know the right way, but sometimes we wander.

"The moral agency afforded to all of Father's children through the plan of salvation and the Atonement of Jesus Christ is divinely designed to facilitate our individual and independent learning, acting, and, ultimately, becoming.” 
― David A. Bednar

Take action today!  "Become" someone great!  Make a good choice to move your life in a positive direction.  Be a participant, and not just a by-stander.  We all committed at baptism to "Stand as witnesses and serve God."  Do your part, and receive the blessings that await as you faithful act.

Hope you have a wonderful week filled with lots of love!

Sincerely,

Lydia