Like Frederick G. Williams, I am commanded to strengthen and lift the weak and depressed. By simply being happy and letting my light shine, I can lift others. This will also promote the Glory of God! Will I "stumble and fall when the storms descend, and the winds blow, and the rains descend, and beat upon [my] house"? Or will I be strong and be a light, no matter how dark my surroundings are?
It is important for me to study and learn! I need to become acquainted with all good books, people, etc. I feel like this is exactly what I am trying to do with my education at BYU; it is very important that I be aware of all different kinds of people and places in the world so that I can understand and lift others. As I understand them I will be more able to serve them.
In closing I'd just like to share how much I loved vs. 12 of section 100: "continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end." I think this is such a comforting scripture, especially to place at the end of these instructions for the first presidency. The Lord will not leave us, so we must continue in joy, even unto the end!
I love the verse that states we are to lift the "hands that hang down." Every time I think of how a depressed or sad peson walks this image comes into my mind--how we as sisters lift the burdens from others through our love and service.
ReplyDeleteTo become acquainted with all good books: my husband now just shakes his head, smiles, and hands me the next Amazon package from the mail. There is so much to learn in this world. It is truly marvelous, isn;t it? I have an old set of "Out of the Best Books" which was a course of study that the Relief Society did many years ago when sisters were to study from the great works of the literary world. I loved these volumes. For many sisters in the mission field, these were their only chance at an education.
Lovely insights. I am glad that He will walk with us until the end. It reminds me of the poem, "Footsteps in the Sand":
One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."
Margaret Fishback Powers, 1964