Neal A Maxwell
“The Lord teaches us much about Himself through His ‘tender mercies.’ He also teaches us much about that which we may become, as we confront, on our scale, the individual curricula of our lives. His most apt pupils, of course, are the men and women of God. In those instances of record, the Lord has displayed much gentleness and tenderness in His tutoring of such individuals. The pattern usually involves His disclosing more about Himself and about His work, thus expanding the horizons of the person being tutored. He is likewise reassuring and assigns that favored individual a portion of His work, including declaring the gospel, while making special promises. The pattern, though mercifully scaled, is there in the lives of all true disciples.” (Meek and Lowly, p.115.)
Confront, on our scale, the individual curricula of our lives. Where am I on this scale? What does it take to be an apt pupil?
• Man or woman of God
o Willing to take upon us His name and His work
o Willing to be like Him
Giving of our time, talents and all that we have to the work of the Lord.
• Knowing that we cannot do it without the guidance of the Spirit.
What and how will I be taught?
• He will teach with much gentleness and tenderness
• Disclosing more about Himself
• Disclosing more about His work
• He will be reassuring and give a portion of His work to you
• There is always a special promise
The wonderful thing about the tender mercies of the Lord is that we do not have to be perfect; we must be willing, having a desire, and striving to do the things of the Lord. He has given us through His example here on earth what we must do. He has taught us and given us every needful thing for success. Through His tender mercy we can overcome all and become as He is.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Tender mercies continued
"The Weightier Matters of the Law: Judgment, Mercy, and Faith"
James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 53–59
Those who extend judgment, mercy, faith, and forgiveness exhibit a greatness of soul and mind consistent with the spirit of the Lord's teachings and example.
James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 53–59
Those who extend judgment, mercy, faith, and forgiveness exhibit a greatness of soul and mind consistent with the spirit of the Lord's teachings and example.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Tender Mercies continued
"The Tender Mercies of the Lord"
David A. Bednar, Liahona, May 2005, 99–102; or Ensign, May 2005, 99–102
The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence.
Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience.
The persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties.
Faithfulness and obedience enable us to receive these important gifts.
Fortify and protect us in the troubled times.
Made mighty even unto the power of deliverance
The Tender Mercies Of The Lord
1Nephi 1:20
“I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
Mercy is the compassionate treatment of a person greater than what is deserved, and it is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father knows our weaknesses and sins. He shows mercy when He forgives us of our sins and helps us return to dwell in His presence.
The Savior stood in our place and suffered the penalty for our sins. Because of this selfless act, the Father can mercifully withhold punishment from us and welcome us into His presence.
Mercies that come from God through the Atonement
- Forgiveness, as we sincerely repent of our sins.
- Blessings we receive is an act of mercy
- Answers to prayers
- Guidance from the Holy Ghost
The Savior commanded: "Be ye . . . merciful, as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36).
We can strive to rid our life of arrogance, pride, and conceit.
We can seek ways to be compassionate, respectful, forgiving, gentle, and patient, even when we are aware of others' shortcomings.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
2010 A New Year
2010! I can’t believe we are here, the beginning of another New Year. As I look back over 2009 I think what have done, what have I accomplished, have I left a mark for good on the year.
With this New Year I have the opportunity to do better. I can try a little harder to do all the wonderful things that I want to do and have not yet been able to accomplish. I can re-evaluate those goals I set last year and have not yet accomplished. I always set a few new year’s resolutions and I get started on making the changes but, by the end of the year I always look back and think why didn’t I work harder, why didn’t I do more and even why did I stop.
Wanting to change or become better is not enough, it is just wishing for change if we don’t do something about it. This is what I have done in the past. I want to change, it was important to make the change, I would be a much better person if I made the change but really it was just a wish because I wasn’t willing to do all that was needed to make it happen. It takes work sometimes a lot of work to make the changes we need to make. It takes setting a goal, deciding what you want to do or change in your life and then writing it down. If you don’t write it down you will forget about it. We must be committed to our new goal or we may deviate from the course and go back to the easy life that we have already been living. Being successful will take a lot of work maybe even some sacrifice, a price payed to make the change.
President Monson said:
“No plan. No object. No goal. The road to anywhere is the road to nowhere, and the road to nowhere leads to dreams sacrificed, opportunities squandered, and a life unfulfilled.”
(Conference Oct. 1976)
In a Young Womans lesson that I gave last week it teaches that we need to do four things to be successful with the goals we set.
• EVALUATE
o Make a list of the things you would like to know, qualities and abilities you would like to develop, and things you want to accomplish in your life.
“To live righteous lives and accomplish the purpose of our creation, we must constantly review the past, determine our present status, and set goals for the future. Without this process there is little chance of reaching one’s objectives” (O. Leslie Stone, Conference, April 1978)
• PLAN
o Write down the goal and how you plan to reach it. (A goal not written down is merely a wish). Choose someone you can report your progress to or someone you can work with. It always helps to have someone that is aware of what you are trying to do.
• ACT
o Do whatever it takes to succeed. Work hard and never give up
• REPORT
o It is important to report to someone, a parent, spouse, friend, even Heavenly Father on your progress.
o
Never give up and when one goal is accomplished start on a new one.
W ork
W ill
W in
W hen
W ishy
W ashy
W ishing
W on't
President Thomas S Monson
With this New Year I have the opportunity to do better. I can try a little harder to do all the wonderful things that I want to do and have not yet been able to accomplish. I can re-evaluate those goals I set last year and have not yet accomplished. I always set a few new year’s resolutions and I get started on making the changes but, by the end of the year I always look back and think why didn’t I work harder, why didn’t I do more and even why did I stop.
Wanting to change or become better is not enough, it is just wishing for change if we don’t do something about it. This is what I have done in the past. I want to change, it was important to make the change, I would be a much better person if I made the change but really it was just a wish because I wasn’t willing to do all that was needed to make it happen. It takes work sometimes a lot of work to make the changes we need to make. It takes setting a goal, deciding what you want to do or change in your life and then writing it down. If you don’t write it down you will forget about it. We must be committed to our new goal or we may deviate from the course and go back to the easy life that we have already been living. Being successful will take a lot of work maybe even some sacrifice, a price payed to make the change.
President Monson said:
“No plan. No object. No goal. The road to anywhere is the road to nowhere, and the road to nowhere leads to dreams sacrificed, opportunities squandered, and a life unfulfilled.”
(Conference Oct. 1976)
In a Young Womans lesson that I gave last week it teaches that we need to do four things to be successful with the goals we set.
• EVALUATE
o Make a list of the things you would like to know, qualities and abilities you would like to develop, and things you want to accomplish in your life.
“To live righteous lives and accomplish the purpose of our creation, we must constantly review the past, determine our present status, and set goals for the future. Without this process there is little chance of reaching one’s objectives” (O. Leslie Stone, Conference, April 1978)
• PLAN
o Write down the goal and how you plan to reach it. (A goal not written down is merely a wish). Choose someone you can report your progress to or someone you can work with. It always helps to have someone that is aware of what you are trying to do.
• ACT
o Do whatever it takes to succeed. Work hard and never give up
• REPORT
o It is important to report to someone, a parent, spouse, friend, even Heavenly Father on your progress.
o
Never give up and when one goal is accomplished start on a new one.
W ork
W ill
W in
W hen
W ishy
W ashy
W ishing
W on't
President Thomas S Monson
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