I decided to post on a talk that I felt most helped me at this time. I really loved what Elder Bednar taught is this.
I remember hearing President Monson recently quote William Shakespeare when he said, "He hath not loved, that hath not shown love." I believe this is true. Sometime for me I need to just act before I feel. Our culture teaches us that we have to have this grand feeling to show love. I believe that most often it goes the other way around - especially in the home. I took this next section directly from the talk:
President Thomas S. Monson recently counseled: “Often we assume that [the people around us] must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. . . . We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us” (“Finding Joy in the Journey,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 86).
Elder Bednar also suggests that we bear testimony and live that testimony that we bear. I had a friend who when she married her husband was surprised to find that his family bore testimony to each other every night when they did there family scripture study. She told me that the first time she experienced this she felt very uncomfortable. She also said that she felt pressured into acting "Spiritual" at times when she did not necessarily feel like it. But, as she continued, she teared up in humility and acknowledgement of how strong her testimony has grown, and how it has done so in the presence of those who are most important.
I really appreciated what Elder Bednar said about us living the testimony that we share - and that it need not be preachy or extremely eloquent.
The relationship between testimony and appropriate action is emphasized in the Savior’s instruction to the Saints in Kirtland: “That which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do” (D&C 46:7). Our testimony of gospel truth should be reflected both in our words and in our deeds. And our testimonies are proclaimed and lived most powerfully in our own homes. Spouses, parents, and children should strive to overcome any hesitancy, reluctance, or embarrassment about bearing testimony. We should both create and look for opportunities to bear testimony of gospel truths—and live them.
I really feel like this adds a new dimension to spirituality in the home - and protection too. Where a child is confident that their parent's testimony is in the basic principles and doctrines of the Kingdom, and where the parent knows and feels the same about their child's testimony; there is such a feeling of trust and commitment to each other and to the Lord. I really feel that this brings stability to a family in times when things around us are caving.
Elder Bednar continues by asking us as parents to be consistent. I have noticed how sensitive Belen is to my actions.. especially if they are not in harmony with what I teach her to do... OH Yes - she is very aware!!! ha ha But all joking aside... I feel that my words hold no weight if I do not act upon them in consistency. Elder Bednar continues with this:
A public statement of love when the private actions of love are absent at home is hypocrisy—and weakens the foundation of a great work. Publicly declaring testimony when faithfulness and obedience are missing within our own homes is hypocrisy—and undermines the foundation of a great work. The commandment “Thou shalt not bear false witness” (Exodus 20:16) applies most pointedly to the hypocrite in each of us. We need to be and become more consistent. “But be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
I believe that part of my continual "reconstruction" that mom talked about in the last post is centered around these principles. I continue to try, and many times I fail - but I have a testimony that the Savior has been there many times - countless times- to help me to show love, bear testimony in word and action, and to be consistent. I know that when I ask for His help and sincerely repent and try again to do better, I am made stronger and more able to act in this role He has given me as a loving parent.
Kristy your words are beautiful and touched my heart. I feel that each of us has our own personal spiritual struggles, but that they can either be strengthened or weakened by the examples of those we choose to have around us. If we surround ourselves with those whose testimonies are on the verge of falling apart, we will soon take on a similar attitude to theirs and begin to lose sight of the incredibly important value of our own personal testimonies. If we are not consistent and become neglegent in nurturing our testimonies we will eventually lose them. We must nurture and live them daily.
ReplyDeleteWe must surround ourselves with those in whose presence we feel confident acting in accordance to what we feel and know is right. We will be held accountable for those whose lives we could have impacted had we chosen to live up to what we knew to be right upon the earth. Our every thought, word, and deed should be reflective of he whose live we bear testimony, the Savior Jesus Christ. Be your best self in the presence of all who you come in contact with in any situation. Lead by example.
Kristy,
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful way of writting. I loved this talk also and have read it several times. I realize where I am falling short and where I feel I am a bit stronger. I am so struggling right now with out of control hormones. It is easy for me to tell everyone else to have faith and hold on when it is not happening to me. But right now I am trying very hard to be example in thought, word, and deed. I love his focus being on the home and how once again that is central to the gospel plan. It is an extension of the Holy Temple and should be treated as such. I love how we can bear testimony just by what we say, how we act, and what we spend our time doing in our home. Love ya, that was great.