Doctrine and Covenants | Section 107
It's Thursday- that means I had Institute! I have been attending since September, but today, I had a strong feeling to come home and write what I am thinking about from our lesson. Oh- how I wish I had thought to do this sooner! But I'm not going to let discouragement prevent me from acting on the thought.
We had a wonderful discussion today about the Priesthood. The teacher, Patti Jorgenson, did a wonderful job of preparing by and teaching with the Spirit. There are many wonderful things I could write about. However, there is one idea that has taken hold in my heart and mind that I don't want to forget; that I want to understand better and practice more.
In verse 27 of Section 107, we read,
And every decision made by either of these quorums (meaning the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in each quorum must be agreed to its decisions, in order to make their decisions of the same power or validity one with the other.
Then we read a quote by Russel M. Nelson from the 2014 October General Conference:
The calling of 15 men to the holy apostleship provides great protection for us as members of the Church. Why? Because decisions of these leaders must be unanimous. Can you imagine how the Spirit needs to move upon 15 men to bring about unanimity? These 15 men have varied educational and professional backgrounds, with differing opinions about many things. Trust me! These 15 men- prophets, seers, and revelators- know what the will of the Lord is when unanimity is reached! They are committed to see that the Lord's will truly will be done. The Lord's Prayer provides the pattern for each of these 15 men when they pray: "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
The class then shared their thoughts about how this principle is a blessing and the ways they have seen it in action. Two comments came together for me that have prompted this post- One sister asked us to think about what it is like to have 15 FAMILY members come to any decision- which was followed by much laughter, and Patti asked how we can use this pattern in our presidencies, ward councils and FAMILIES.
In listening to these comments, I realized that I want my family to be unified in following the Lord. I want us ALL to value the gospel and be committed to living its' principles. I'm tired of seeming like a dictator to my children when I set rules. Especially when I am trying to do what the Lord has asked and my goal is to keep my children safe and healthy.
I should try using this pattern of unanimity to unite and strengthen my family.
If we make FHE, family prayer, scripture study, curfew, work and kindness matters of prayer and discuss solutions together with the purpose of learning the Lord's will for our family, then I think we can be unanimous in our commitment to the Lord.
The key will come from verses 30-31,
30 The decisions of these quorums, or either of them, are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity;
31 Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord.
If we, as a family, can truly seek the Lord's will and approach these issues, which have been sources of contention in our home, with meekness, faith and charity- we will "not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord." I love this promise.
It will be hard. It will take time and practice. But I truly believe this is the approach I am supposed to use with my family.
I am grateful for the opportunity to attend Institute. I am grateful for the influence of the Spirit. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father, His wisdom and His perfect plan that has been in place since the beginning. I know that He shows us the way to be happy and return to His presence!
We had a wonderful discussion today about the Priesthood. The teacher, Patti Jorgenson, did a wonderful job of preparing by and teaching with the Spirit. There are many wonderful things I could write about. However, there is one idea that has taken hold in my heart and mind that I don't want to forget; that I want to understand better and practice more.
In verse 27 of Section 107, we read,
And every decision made by either of these quorums (meaning the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in each quorum must be agreed to its decisions, in order to make their decisions of the same power or validity one with the other.
Then we read a quote by Russel M. Nelson from the 2014 October General Conference:
The calling of 15 men to the holy apostleship provides great protection for us as members of the Church. Why? Because decisions of these leaders must be unanimous. Can you imagine how the Spirit needs to move upon 15 men to bring about unanimity? These 15 men have varied educational and professional backgrounds, with differing opinions about many things. Trust me! These 15 men- prophets, seers, and revelators- know what the will of the Lord is when unanimity is reached! They are committed to see that the Lord's will truly will be done. The Lord's Prayer provides the pattern for each of these 15 men when they pray: "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
The class then shared their thoughts about how this principle is a blessing and the ways they have seen it in action. Two comments came together for me that have prompted this post- One sister asked us to think about what it is like to have 15 FAMILY members come to any decision- which was followed by much laughter, and Patti asked how we can use this pattern in our presidencies, ward councils and FAMILIES.
In listening to these comments, I realized that I want my family to be unified in following the Lord. I want us ALL to value the gospel and be committed to living its' principles. I'm tired of seeming like a dictator to my children when I set rules. Especially when I am trying to do what the Lord has asked and my goal is to keep my children safe and healthy.
I should try using this pattern of unanimity to unite and strengthen my family.
If we make FHE, family prayer, scripture study, curfew, work and kindness matters of prayer and discuss solutions together with the purpose of learning the Lord's will for our family, then I think we can be unanimous in our commitment to the Lord.
The key will come from verses 30-31,
30 The decisions of these quorums, or either of them, are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity;
31 Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord.
If we, as a family, can truly seek the Lord's will and approach these issues, which have been sources of contention in our home, with meekness, faith and charity- we will "not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord." I love this promise.
It will be hard. It will take time and practice. But I truly believe this is the approach I am supposed to use with my family.
I am grateful for the opportunity to attend Institute. I am grateful for the influence of the Spirit. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father, His wisdom and His perfect plan that has been in place since the beginning. I know that He shows us the way to be happy and return to His presence!
posted by jenn | 2/19/2015
1 Comments:
You are so good to always find personal application. I think, "Wow. That was a good lesson. Very powerful." And then I go about life per usual.
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