Temples

Maintaining our spiritual strength is … a daily challenge. The greatest source of that spiritual strength comes … from our temples. – James E. Faust,

Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants with God. Temples are places of learning. Their principal purpose is to provide ordinances necessary for the children of God to enable them to return to dwell with Him.

How has service blessed your life?

"Harold B. Lee once said: “If you want to love God, you must learn to love his children and to love serving his children. No person loves God unless he loves his service and unless he loves our Heavenly Father’s children.” Conversely, Deiter F. Ucthdorf said: “The divine love of God turns ordinary acts into extraordinary service.” I have come to know that service, and love are inextricably connected. With service comes love though not in the way I initially believed. The person receiving the service does not necessarily love the person making the sacrifice. That person may not even realize a sacrifice is being made. The person giving the service, when offered with the humble motive of love of God, gains love for those he serves. The more he serves the more he loves and the more he loves to serve. The thing most intriguing to me about this principle is that love is expansive. When we humbly serve a person and gain love for them, it does not diminish in any way the love you have for others. Our capacity to love knows no bounds. When we serve others, and feel our love increase, we truly glimpse the infinite! Service has made all the difference in my life in bringing me closer to God by the realization that the human condition is universal. Know one individual can lift himself above another, We all stand in need of the service Jesus Christ offers to be made whole."

-Maury

"Service is the way we show love, care, and charity for all of God's children. I have learned that it is the small and simple acts of service we do each day that lift heavy hearts and bring relief to the secret suffering of those around us. I asked my dad one day what i could do to serve my family even though i am away at college. He said that i should take care of myself, and do well in school. This was very meaningful to me, and i think my father is very wise. He knows that i have a desire to help my family, and while i am away, the best i can do that is through my good example to my younger brothers and sisters, as well as my success in securing a future for myself so i will not have to be a burden to my family at a later date. Through visiting teaching, i have learned that i can serve my girls everyday by praying for them by name, and trying to include their specific needs in my communication with Heavenly Father. It is always so touching to me when hear that others pray for me, and it is a pleasure to serve my friends, ward members, and family through heartfelt prayers in their behalf.

Service blesses my life because as i serve those who are hard to love, i develop a love for them, and begin to understand them and their needs. This lifts the burden of my own pride from my shoulders as i let go of preconceived notions about some people and love more freely. I often feel a sense of accomplishment, a peaceful feeling, and a feeling of joy come into my life when i serve others. Those i serve often help me more than i help them in the process. One example of this was when i recently went to a nursing home to sing to the elderly there with a group of my girl friends. I was worried because i do not always know what to say to people who are in a different stage of life than me, and it is often difficult for me to interact with these people because i am shy. However, after we sang to this particular group, they cheered us on and asked for more singing. The residents were so welcoming, so kind, and complimented us many times on not just our singing, but also our personalities. They asked us to come again soon. I left the nursing home full of love for those people, and with a huge smile on my face. I know that as i strive to serve others, i will become more like Jesus Christ."

- Megan

How has the power of prayer impacted your life?

"One of our Senior Sister missionaries in the Canada Toronto West mission where I was mission president from July 2004 through August 2007 has gone on another mission. Her name is Trudi Smith and she is now serving in Australia. Recently she wrote the following concerning answers to prayers:

'On monday, Preparation-day, we drove out to the state park and drove all the way through the park and saw nothing (this is where we saw the 2 kangaroos before). I suggested to Sister Lee that we take one of the little dirt roads through the park, so we did. We saw some beautiful scenery and some beautiful birds but no Kangaroos. I told Sister Lee, 'When we had prayer we didn't ask Father to let us see Kangaroos!'

She said, 'You are right,' so we had another prayer. About two minutes later two large kangaroos almost ran over us.....Well not really, but they were only 8-10 feet in front of our car. As we continued to drive we saw 8 more.'

The Lord will reward us even in small things when we ask in faith. "Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you." "

-Alan (LDS Bishop)

***

"As a young man I didn't understand much about prayer...only that we have a loving Heavenly Father who is interested in us and wants us to pray to him. Over time and years of experience my prayers have become much more sincere and meaningful. I communicate in prayer 'as one man communicates to another' but with much more humility and caution; recognizing that He does hear me. I understand now he He is the Living Water from which we will never thirst; that I can go to him for comfort, direction, answers and blessings that I seek. I know he hears and answers me and that his answers are personal to me. My relationship with him, my understanding of His ways, have been strengthened; and now I know that it will only get better if I continue to pray."

-Rod

***

"There have been many instances where I knew that Heavenly Father heard and answered my prayers, but I think the most important ones haven't been when I'm in danger, when I lost something, or any other incredibly dire circumstance such as that. Rather, I understand Heavenly Father's love for me when he answers the prayers that are pleas for comfort, guidance, or simply me expressing some concern I have and feeling instant peace. These moments constantly show me that Heavenly Father hears and answers every prayer, no matter how small."

-Krystal

***

"For me understanding that when I pray I am praying to an all knowing and all-powerful God allows me to be completely honest with my feelings, desires, hopes, and needs. I learned a while ago that prayer isn't just a humdrum activity that should be done morning and night. For me prayer has allowed me to talk openly with a being that loves me unconditionally and knows my intentions even when I can't articulate things. To be able to have open communication with my Gods (Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ) allow me to progress forward in the Lord’s plan when the world seems to be falling backwards. I know that prayer is the communication highway for me to receive personal revelation, promptings, and to feel the Lords love he has for me individually. Christ lives and he listens and answers my prayers."

-Heather

***

"Prayer has been a consistent source of comfort in my life. With its fair share of curveballs, life as a college student is far from easy. Some days I feel great about who I am. However, there are days I do not. That being said, daily prayer to my Father in Heaven has kept me more consistent in the way I feel about myself. I’ve discovered that God answers the majority of my prayers through the actions of others. He comforts me through caring friends, roommates, family members, random strangers, and (of course) through the Holy Spirit. I’m sure life’s curveballs will continue to frustrate me through failed relationships, slow processes of learning, and the trials that unexpectedly turn my life upside down. However, I know God holds me to be of great worth. Thus, he comforts me whenever I ask Him."

-Graden

Feel free to send in your own testimony/stories about prayer to: hislovingarmsblog@gmail.com.

How Have I Strengthened My Personal Relationship With Jesus Christ?

This week we would like to share our feelings on how we have strengthened our relationships with Jesus Christ. By sharing these convictions, we intend to strengthen the faith of others.

"Reading from the scriptures each day has been a major factor in strengthening my relationship with my Savior. All of the scriptures: The Old and New Testament, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price have compatible and consistent testimonies of the reality of God and Jesus Christ, and of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have the text of the scriptures and also the audio of the scriptures on my iPhone, so I can read them and listen to them anytime I choose. Having them in my pocket is a great blessing to me. It is simple to listen to them in the car.

I have made a promise to God that I will read from the Book of Mormon each day. That has been a great strength to me. Last year I read and listened to the Old Testament, and this year I am reading and listening to the New Testament. I have concentrated on the gospels this first half of the year. Beginning next month, July, I will concentrate on the rest of the New Testament, Acts to Revelations.

Even with my study of the New Testament this year, I am still reading something from the Book of Mormon each day. Since the footnotes are available as hot links, it is easy and very instructional to follow the links electronically.

I know of the truthfulness of the scriptures and am grateful for them."

-Alan (LDS Bishop)

*** "I have strengthened my relationship with my Savior by allowing myself moments to be still and ponder. When I take the time to think about what Jesus Christ has done for me and how He continues to bless me everyday I am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy! I know that Jesus Christ loves me. I know in my mind and in my heart that this is true. My relationship with my Savior grows stronger and my religious convictions grow more powerful as I strive to live my life in 100% harmony with His commandments."

-Kiya

***

"...by reading the Book of Mormon and the New Testament!"

-Will

***

"The most effective way I've found to strengthen my personal relationship with my Savior has been specifically through prayer, scripture study, and church attendance. I know that prayer is a way through which I can personally speak with God, and He can respond to me. I can share my deepest needs and desires with Him, and He provides answers that are relevant to me.

I continually study the Book of Mormon on a daily basis and study other books of scripture so I can learn God's will and see how His word applies to my life. I apply the things I learn into my life, and every time I do, I feel closer to Jesus Christ.

I go to Church every week so that I can remember the promises that I have made to God to follow His commandments and remember Jesus Christ in my life. I feel the influence of the Holy Ghost and feel God's approval. I learn about how I can follow the Savior with more devotion. Through continuously doing these things, I have come to have a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ and I am so grateful for it."

-Doug

***

"I have always known that the Savior loved me, but I came to really understand this through small and simple means. I think, through looking at how the Savior takes care of me every day in my little, whiney needs is a greater testimony to how much He cares. He cares even when I feel like no one should even notice that I'm upset.

I was living in Italy for the summer and feeling particularly homesick. I also was feeling depressed and upset. I would look on Facebook aimlessly to see all of my friends having fun with each other and completely forgetting about me. Yes, it was a silly ordeal but I felt bad and I was just having a hard time. I didn't tell anyone. I didn't even pray to get rid of the arrogant thought that everyone's lives should revolve around me. I just went to bed upset. I woke up the next day and three of my friends had messaged me, including my old roommate that said she couldn't wait for me to return and room with her again. It was simple. But it touched me that my Savior and Heavenly Father cared so much about the little things in my life."

-Krystal

***

"My testimony of the Savior has greatly been strengthed by daily reading of the scriptures. Everyday as I ponder the words I read, I realize how merciful and loving He is, and how much he has done for us. His gospel is simple and He wants us all to return and be happy! I know this to be true!"

-Eric

***

"I grew up listening to stories of Christ and being taught the principles and doctrines that Christ taught during His earthly ministry, however I had never read through and diligently studied the Bible. So a few years ago I decided to really study the Bible. In doing so I came to love the parables that the Lord taught the people. I was able to learn of the love that Jesus has for others through the story of Lazarus, learn about how our Heavenly Father answers prayers through the parable of the unjust king, and learn through the story of Zacchaeus how the savior does not judge others by how they are perceived by others, but rather work with them and help them to achieve their potential. While this way helped me to learn a lot about the principles of the gospel, and the characteristics of Jesus Christ, alone it is not the most effective way of developing a personal relationship with the Savior.

In my opinion the most effective way of developing a relationship with the Savior is to try out the teachings that are contained in the scriptures. As I have come to rely on the Lord and trust that He will help me as I try and do what He asks, my relationship with Him has become so much stronger. I am more able to see how His hand is in my everyday life. Through serving others, I have come to experience the love that Christ has for everyone. Prayers feel meaningful, and as if I am talking to a loving Father who cares, rather than repeated phrases falling on empty ears.

If you ever find yourself questioning your faith in God, or if He really answers your prayers, I ask that you give it your all to live as He would ask. Think about what you are going to say in your prayer before you give it. Explain what is going on in your life to Him. He understands and will help you. His hand is and has been ever present in my life, whether I noticed it at the time or not. I love my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. I invite you to develop this love for them as well."

-Jason

***

"One of the best ways I have strengthened my relationship with the Savior is by studying about His life - His parables, the stories about how he treated others, His death, atonement and resurrection, and then trying to implement in my own life His way of living. One of my favorite things to do is to think about His love for other people and then walk around and try to see them through His eyes, and treat them how I think He might treat them. Not only do I get a glimpse at their incredible value, but I feel more greatly the love He must have for me, too, despite my shortcomings. I am touched at the Savior's love for me, especially because of how unworthy I am at times of such powerful and perfect love."

-Emily

Email us with your story on how you have strengthened your relationship with the Savior.

Mission Possible

To fulfill the purpose of this blog, you may consider (1) sharing your personal conviction of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and His restored Gospel; (2) sharing personal experiences of how you have gained this conviction; and (3) sharing blessings you have received by living gospel principles.

You are invited (no matter your faith) to participate. Please send your blog postings to hislovingarmsblog@gmail.com and may God bless you.