thy will be done

Through my studies of the New Testament I have discovered that within the gospels can be found the usage of some thought elicting and very truthfilled paradoxes, or what are called "gospel reversals." For example: He died that we might live; Lose your life so you may gain it; The least become the greatest; The last become the first. Yet, my favorite (if that is not too taboo to say!) is the great gospel reversal that arises from the "passion" of Christ: His immense suffering in Gethsemene, dying on the cross, and ultimately conquering death with His spectacular resurrection. That glourious paradox is this: that if we surrender our will to that of the Father, that in the end we will be victorious. Such a statement, seemingly contradictory, is what Christ's life teaches us. He drank the bitter cup and consented His will to the Father's by saying "thy will be done" (Matthew 26:42). Such is what we must do.

If we but ensue to live our lives day to day in accordance with Heavenly Father's will, surrendering our selfish wills and desires over to His (the One who knows all and wishes only for our good) then, in the end, we will be absolutely victorious.

I don't know about you, but I sure like winning.

let your light so shine

As a semester long assignment for my Honors New Testament class each student has been asked to create a blog sharing our knowledge and personal insights on the New Testament, Christ, and, above all, our testimonies of the Gospel. I am thrilled to be able to have a part in this and help in my small way to teach those who are seeking for truth.

I am excited to be able to share the Gospel, the "good news," in such a potentially effective way (the Internet), and I hope this blog of mine help me to grow firmer in my testimony of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.

So, friends, come visit this, my blog, every now and again as this semester progresses (and hopefully beyond that as well), and if you perhaps like it then tell your friends to visit as well. I do not claim to be a scriptorian or prophetess or even a great source of knowledge on all that the Gospel has to offer, but despite my humble amount of knowledge I do know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and I want to be able to share that truth with whoever I can in whatever way I can.

"yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God..." -Alma 29:9 (The Book of Mormon, p. 279)

be not afraid, only believe

These are the words of Jesus Christ in the New Testament spoken to the ruler of the synagogue who had been informed that his beloved daughter had just died. What frightening news that would be? How much anguish topples upon you at such news? Yet, perfectly so, Jesus spoke these calming words and then went forth and brought the damsel back to life.

"As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe" -Mark 5:36 (The New Testament)

These five simple, yet timelessly influential and comforting words still have the power today to bring so much hope to the turmoil and trepidation that can many times fill our lives. So much in this world is frightening and perhaps for many it is difficult not to be overwhelmed by the negativity, hate, malice, suffering and gloom that is ever at hand. Now, how would I, this mere twenty year old girl, know anything about the darkness that fills this world? I suppose I do not know much about true anguish, turmoil and feelings of malice, but I have felt other sorts of darknesses that are equally fearful: the intense pangs of lonliness that can captured your heart and take you to a place low and miserable; times of distress that have filled the deepest part of who I am, even my soul, with despair.

However I am grateful for the recollection of Christ's words (especially during those times of difficulty). When I put my faith in Him and those words, all fear and darkness (which are one in the same) diminish. Christ is the lover of my soul, and I know that He came to this earth in all charity and love in order to feel and suffer all so that He would know how to succor me, and each and every one of God's children (= everyone), in our afflictions and times of despair. How do I know this? Because of this:

"And he (Christ) shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of the world. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their ifirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." - Alma 7:11-12 (The Book of Mormon, p. 225)

Sometimes life, even for happy-go-lucky me, can be hard to bear, but knowing that Christ knows all my sufferings and can help me through those times of fear and darkness if I but have faith gives me the hope to look forward to the next bright day.

He is the One that inspires me to believe and not fear.