On symbolism and being who you need to be

So, in Elder's Quorum meeting today, we were talking about a parable told by Christ (where a man comes to a wedding feast not dressed properly and is sent out). This led to a discussion about what each part of the parable meant. Some of the discussion seemed directed to establish a firm meaning (that the feast was the second coming, that the man was unprepared because he hadn't received the covenants of the gospel, etc.). During this, I brought up the idea that I've come to believe through classes at BYU and through my own study, which is that the symbols in parables and in all our church are really just tools for receiving revelation. By this, I mean that the symbols mean different things at different times to different people. And it's ok. We are to interpret for ourselves with the help of the Spirit so we can know what God wants us to know.

I love the gospel, and that it really is personal. Some people hear about standards in the church and think that everyone is held to the exact same standard and are just cookie cutter copies of each other. This is only partially true. Some standards are expected of all members of the church, but as we progress, the Holy Ghost will bring to our minds new commitments that we need to live up to. In this way, we all find ourselves with our own sets of standards. This is amazing. I know of no other church that can fully internalize this ideal. And it's only possible through personal revelation, for everyone. Every one of us can be as Nephi and learn of the truth for ourself, even if we have a prophet for a father who can already tell us everything. Revelation is the key, and the Holy Ghost provides that.

I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven, who provides a way for me to know, personally, what it is that I need to do to become who I need to be. I know that we're all on our own stage of development, and I hope we can all be a little more understanding of that. As we go forth, let us remember the differences between us, that we may strengthen our brothers and sister, regardless of where they are in their personal development.

In my random readings

So, I came across this article upon recommendation of my bishop. I was reminded of it in stake conference today by Sister Jones, who mentioned how her testimony took time to become a true knowledge. It says a lot more than I can, so, I'll just let you read it.

Additionally, I do want to mention this has helped me help a friend of mine who has been struggling with not knowing if the church is true. If you know someone in that situation, I hope this can help them, too.

Short

So, it's Sunday so I wanted to give an update. But I'm limiting it to a spiritual thought.

This week has been better for me than many recent weeks. I have a feeling it has to do with my mission prep class. Brother Bott dedicated part of his lesson to overcoming depression. The one tip I found most effective for me was to not think bad about yourself. In recent posts, I've been saying things about our divine nature and other reasons we should feel good about ourselves. That's because it's something I need to remember. But cutting out any self-deprecating thoughts completely was something I hadn't tried before. This week, every negative thought about myself was redirected by something good and encouraging, and that really made a great difference for me. One idea I've often had is that one must believe they are right and act without doubt, else nothing could be done. Now, that doesn't mean we ignore faults and justify ourselves; we should still change when we need to. But going forth with the idea, "I am good, and I can do great things," really helps one to do such. And it's true! I don't know if I can emphasize this enough, but we are choice spirits of our Heavenly Father, chosen to come to this world, the world where the Savior of all eternity, for everyone, not just those here, came to make his awesome sacrifice; chosen to come when the world needs us most! It's awesome! We will have great challenges, because we can overcome them. Let yourself believe in God's belief in you, and don't believe Satan's lies that you are inadequate, for you can meet the challenge.

I love you all, and have a wonderful week.

What are we fighting for?

So, I was thinking about this quote from the Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers:

Sam: "It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. 'Cause sometimes you didn't want to know the end, because how could the end be happy? How can the world go back to the way it was, when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing. A shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant somethin', even if you were to small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folks in those stories had lots of chances in turning back; only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding onto to something."
Frodo: "What are we holding onto, Sam?"
Sam: "That there's some good left in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it's worth fighting for."

Now, I don't claim to be at all wise or anything, but I felt like this was rather applicable, perhaps in all our lives. I know many of you hear how I talk about myself. But, as you're a reader of my blog, I'l let you in on a little secret: I don't really think I'm that great. Of course, I get to see all the little mistakes I make that no one else sees. In any case, I've liked this quote for a long time, but in church today a slight modification came to my mind (perhaps inspiration; I'll let you decide) that said, "There's come good left in you, ant that's worth fighting for."

I hope we can all remember that. When you're feeling down on yourself, and you don't know if there's even anything left to work towards, remember that there is still good inside you, and you personally. In my mission prep class, Brother Bott said that in the book of Abraham, when Abraham saw the vision of the noble and great ones, modern revelation tells us that each of us, here on the earth fighting for righteousness in the last days, were among those noble and great ones. 3:23 "And God saw these souls that they were good." He knows your potential and your faithfulness. So, who are you gonna believe: your imperfect, unknowning self, or the perfect God who created you and knows you better than anyone on earth can?

Know that you are good, and go forth with confidence.

Stepping back

So, I've realized that this is interfering with my sleep, and as much as I wouldn't mind that, we were reminded in church today that early to bed is a commandment. So, what's my spiritual thought for the week, and I'll update this when I can without staying up. Good night!