Partaking of the fruit and Joy

"We must find quiet moments to seek greater light and truth. And when we receive it…live it, share it…defend it."—Cheryl A. Esplin, "Filling our Homes with Light and Truth"

My youngest is listening to The Book of Mormon with a goal to finish by his 8th birthday in August. He was sharing some of what he learned yesterday. 

This was his take "The dad was afraid for Lamen and Lemuel" 

Me "Why was he afraid for them?" 

A: "Because they didn't eat the fruit of the tree."

I have been thinking a lot about this answer. How often don't we eat of the fruit of the tree? What can I do to eat of the fruit of the tree more often? How can I feel the love of God for me in my life more often and consistently? It goes with a scripture I found at the temple last week D&C 88:32-33

This part really stood out to me. "to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received."

I have been thinking about this part a lot. How much am I denied in joy because I am not willing to receive it? How much more would the Lord give me if I was open and grateful to receiving? 

I have also been wondering if getting to the tree is really a daily journey? I have felt the Love of God for me. I feel like I have partaken of the fruit in the past and have felt the Love of God for me. But like Alma says in Alma 5 “Can I feel so now?” Like right Now?  Right now I feel tired and overwhelmed?  Right now I feel grumpy and like my burdens are too great for me.

Wondering a lot about this word feeling. Have learned from many sources that Love is a verb and an action we take to show love. It is not really this magic feeling all the time. Actually not most of the time, most of the time Love is work and doing things for others without thought for ourselves and not really about feelings. Sometimes you don’t really want to do love at all but that is when you show forth the most love by doing it anyway.

Can I feel so now? Meaning can I do the things that help me feel the Love of God for me? Can I cling to the rod of iron long enough to get to the tree? Can I resist the mocking of the world and ignore the distractions to enjoy the fruit of the tree? Can I show my love for my Father by obedience and diligence.

How are you doing feeling the Love of God for you? 

Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “One of the sweetest messages the Spirit will relay is how the Lord feels about you.”⁶

Lessons from Hebrews today

Wanted to share two scriptures I found in the temple this week.

The first will be going on my wall to remind me of my one word  Contentment. This website will explain the idea of choosing one word for the year to focus on.

www.myoneword.org

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Been thinking about how covetousness is the opposite of contentment?? Working on that idea still. 

Some I have mentioned my new word to have said "It is human nature to be seeking something new and better" And I guess the natural man is human nature. And I wouldn't want to become so content that I don't try to progress or make things better.  But it is covetous to always seek for things that are better.  Seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness we are commanded to do so that is correct seeking.

Second made me smile.  My son, serving in Mexico as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints, was transferred several months ago to a new area.  They had basically no investigators when he got there and has gone from 10-15 lessons to about 40 in the time he has been there. This scripture made me think of him

Hebrews 11:2 For by it (Faith) the elders obtained a good report.

He was so happy about his "report" of 40 lessons and I know it was by Faith that him and his companion were able to obtain a "good report".

Highly recommend Hebrews 11 and the discussion on Faith. It was a joy to read and taught me a lot about the examples of faith in the scriptures.

Found this great study guide today and loved what it is teaching me