It is the joke that I wish to open my thoughts with today.
A blonde-haired woman decided to swim the English channel. She swam three-quarters of the way but got tired, so she swam back.
On a similarly demonstrated idea, I invite you to absorb the communicated message in this image:
In this chapter, Sherem the anti-Christ is successfully convincing many of the inexistence of, and lack of need, for Christ and His Atonement. There are many Sherems that approach us in life, such as a disbelieving boss, seemingly insurmountable trials, unkind people, lack of finances, doubts about God... the list is endless.
That's not to say that they all have the motive Sherem does.
Sherem "was learned, [in] that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil" (Jacob 7:4).
For many, Sherem led them to give up on Christ and the eternal life He offered, much like the blonde who went swimming, and the miner who stopped mining. (Forgive the flaws in my analogy.)
For me, Jacob not only stands out to me in how he handles Sherem, but how he prepared himself in mind, heart, soul and spirit.
"And [Sherem] had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken" (Jacob 7:5).
Jacob reflected on the experiences of great import and power in his life. He reflected upon the miracles, the revelations, the witness he had gained that truly, Christ indeed was the Son of God, and would perform the Atonement.
If God told me that He wants me to obtain diamonds, and that I would obtain them through mining long enough, then I would do it.
If God told me that He wants me to return to live with Him, and that I would obtain a presence with Him through enduring to the end in keeping His commandments, then I would do it.
And I'm doing it.
And I'm not giving up.
I do this in big ways, but also in ways small.
For example, how do you prepare for fasting?
Fast Sunday is approaching. You approximate how much you will contribute to the Lord in generous donation. You plan out when you will begin fasting and what you will fast for.
But how is your attitude?
“This is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.” [D&C 59:14]Fasting is rejoicing!
"Reverent behavior includes prayer, scripture study, fasting, and payment of tithes and offerings. It includes having wholesome thoughts, wearing modest clothing, and using clean, wholesome language. The depth of a person's reverence is evident in his or her choice of music and other entertainment, in the way sacred subjects are spoken of, and in the way the person dresses and acts when attending church services and worshiping in the temple. Reverence also includes making righteous choices even when no one is watching. Reverence for the Lord leads to serving other people and treating them with kindness and respect."(https://www.lds.org/topics/reverence?lang=eng, emphasis added)
When and before I fast, I change the music I listen to, to music that assists me in keeping reverence in my heart and soul, and strengthens my commitment to "always remember Him" (D&C 20:77). It also helps me keep the right prayer in my heart regarding the things I am fasting for.
What about preparing for sacrament meeting? Is it just a weekly event for you?
What about times when you study the scriptures? Do you just whip out the scriptures daily to check off that they have been read every day?
What about prayer? My mother would feel saddened if every time I spoke with her, it was in a rush, and I never took the time to sit with her and chat about the most important things in life. Heavenly Father would be the same, I believe. He would be losing us, and we would be losing Him.
I pray we prepare well, and I pray we not give up on those worthy pursuits in life. May the prayer of "stop me if I'm wrong" be in our hearts and minds as we move forward with what we believe is God's will.
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