John says, "There is no fear in love." Therefore: 1. When we love, we are more confident. 2. When we feel loved, we are less likely to be anxious. We particularly need to establish an environment of love in our homes, so family members feel secure.
Knowing, Loving, Living, Being
In his epistles, John teaches that different aspects of our discipleship are integrated. He makes numerous statements of equivalence, equating loving God with knowing Him, loving others, and following Him. Here is a diagram illustrating these equivalences
Charity
Charity means recognizing things that are valuable and treating them accordingly. Jesus gave His life for us because He had charity for us: He recognized our value. We must emulate Him in that way to receive the blessings He has prepared for us.
The Gall of Bitterness
Peter told Simon that he was in the "gall of bitterness." Gall is bile. It is a bitter substance which our bodies use for digestion. Alma taught that Jesus can help us overcome spiritual bitterness. When we recognize our need and ask for help, He is there
Abuse
Jesus condemned child abuse in the strongest possible terms. President Nelson has also reiterated the Savior's teachings on this issue. Here are some things I learned by studying the Church's abuse prevention website today.
Seek Meekness
"Gather yourselves together," says Zephaniah, "...before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you." What should we do to prepare for those difficult days? "Seek ye the Lord," he says, "all ye meek of the earth." How should we do this? "Seek righteousness," he clarifies, "seek meekness." Then, he adds, "it may be ye... Continue Reading →
“Thy Words Were Heard”
Prayer is an act of faith because we don't see or hear the One we are talking to. When I participate in a conversation, I am constantly monitoring the reaction of the other person to the words I say. I pay attention to their responses, even non-verbal ones, to understand how my words are being... Continue Reading →
How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling-place
Based on: Psalm 84 Core message: Holy places on earth can prepare us to return to God's presence. Related Book of Mormon passage: Mosiah 2:41
“I Feared the People”
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.... Pilate was merciful till it became risky.C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, 161 Saul may have been the king, but he was afraid of his people. The first time he failed to follow instructions from the prophet... Continue Reading →
Finding Grace
When Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, arrived in Bethlehem, they needed a way to obtain food. Ruth said, "Let me now go to the field, and glean [fallen grain] after him in whose sight I shall find grace" (Ruth 2:2). Even though the law required farmers to leave their extra grain for the poor, she... Continue Reading →