Joycelyn's Ponderings: The Blessings NOW of Being Temple Worthy

Friday, January 15, 2016

The Blessings NOW of Being Temple Worthy

What exactly are we striving for in this life? Do you want your family to be "united in love, harmony and peace" right now and not just in the next life? The Lord gives us a promise that we can have that right now and in the next life as we keep ourselves temple-worthy no matter if we having ups or downs. Elder Quentin L. Cook gives great advice on how to remain temple worthy in order to receive these blessings.

If we have the knowledge of the plan of happiness, then we should be preparing to receive it. He says that "the rewards of righteousness are available right now." I love how he states that some of us may feel that reaching the ultimate goal of being worthy enough my seem too distant for us but that it is attainable and here's how by giving a list. Here is that list from my notes of his talk:

Principles That Lead to Righteousness

Righteous Self-Control and Conduct

Self-control is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Avoiding something tempting once will help you develop the ability to resist other temptations in the future.
Exercising self-control and living righteously strengthen our ability to resist temptation
If we don't continually exercise spiritual strength and self-discipline these qualities will atrophy like a muscle that is not used
We need to develop and demonstrate conduct and appearance that declare we are true followers of Christ

Honoring the Sabbath Will Increase Righteousness and Be a Protection for the Family

Sabbath symbolizes the mighty works of God
Observing the Sabbath is sign between God and me that I know He is the Lord my God
Honoring the Sabbath is a form of righteousness that will bless and strengthen families, connect us with our Creator, and increase happiness
Keeping the Sabbath Day holy is a refuge from the storms of life
Keeping the Sabbath Day holy is a sign of devotion to our Father in Heaven and helps us understand better the sacredness of sacrament meeting

Divine Protections Are Provided When We Are Righteous

When we are worthy, we can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost as a gift
Holy Ghost serves as a cleansing agent if the gospel is first in our priorities
Holy Ghost is a voice of warning against evil
Holy Ghost is a voice of protection against danger
Holy Ghost will help us avoid temptations and dangers
Holy Ghost will comfort and lead us through challenges
Adherence to sacred gospel principles will allow us to be temple worthy, enable us to find happiness in this life, and lead us back to our heavenly home

Apostolic Promise

Living and maintaining temple-worthy lives will hold together all that really matters.

Blessings that come from this promise:

Peace
Happiness
Joy
Eternal life
Celestial glory with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

My "Spiritual To Do List" according to the words spoken in General Conference October 2015

Prophets straightforward message: Keep the Commandments!
Everyone should reach out in faith to rescue every soul from whom he is responsible for.
Knowing that God calls us through His authorized servants to callings, should be the source of our courage to persevere, whatever the callings are.
Be not afriad, only believe. We can choose to believe.
There is nothing noble or impressive about being cynical. Be faithful.
Practice the principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and to live true to God's Commandments.
Even when we have repented of a sinful behavior, the addiction may remain. The guilt from it can be relieved through strength from our Savior!
Remember that what cures us from pain and heartache is our Savior and His Atonement.
Our Savior can give us strength we need to overcome mortal challenges when we seek His help through His Atonement.
Works without faith is dead. We must have faith with works to receive answers.
Remember past spiritual experiences.
Words of Christ can tell us what we should do.
Daily scripture study can help open doors of revelation.
Obedience, scripture study, prayer and fasting are all personal religious habits that I need to strengthen me against temptation to murmur or doubt.
If I want answers to my prayers, I need to ask with a sincere heart and real intent.
If we want stronger spiritual power, we need to choose to heed prophetic counsel, recognize and act upon spiritual promptings, be obedient to God's commandments, and seek personal revelation.
We have the power to choose belief over doubt.
By seeking His light, the Lord offers us greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence in the spiritual direction we are traveling.
Seeking His light can bless us with confidence, determination, comfort, and the power to know He lives.
If we receive His light, we can receive more light and that light can grow stronger and brighter.
To ignore and discount past spiritual experiences will distance us from God.
Remember spiritual blessings and feelings that have penetrated our hearts and lives in the past and place our faith in Heavenly Father.
Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith!
We must act, expecting that the Lord will fulfill His promise to lift us from the darkness if we draw near unto Him.
Remember that those who truly love us can help build our faith, not tear us down.
Don't listen to strangers or those who claim to be enlightened when they have no light. (aka: social media trolls hiding behind a screen)
Relying on the light of others temporarily while I struggle with seeing my own light is not wrong.
Prepare myself with the powerful light of spiritual strength.
Invite others to come to church.
Express compassion when our family and friends are suffering.
Smile at others!
Go the extra mile in our efforts.
Be willing to bear one another's burdens.
Be worthy to take the Sacrament, hold a temple recommend, go to the temple regularly, serve in church, go about doing good.
Exercise my faith every day so that I can wax stronger and firmer in my faith. Don't let my faith atrophy.
Marriage is not only about what I want, it's also about what my companion wants and who He needs me to be.
Pay tithing, save, live with your means.
Be humble enough to be lead along when we hear His voice and the voice of His servants.
The scripture stories tell us how righteous people react to temptation and evil: They AVOID it!
We are responsible to think about the consequences of every choice we make.
Adherence to sacred gospel principles will allow me to be temple worthy, help me find happiness in this life, and lead me back my Heavenly home.
Living a righteous life can invite the Holy Ghost into my life to be a cleansing agent, a voice of warning, a voice of protection, help me avoid temptations or dangers, comfort and lead me through challenges.
Keeping the Sabbath is a refuge from the storms of life.
Observing the Sabbath Day can strengthen families, connect us with God, and increase happiness.
Develop and demonstrate conduct and appearance that declare we are true followers of Christ.
Exercise self-control like a muscle and it'll get stronger each time to avoid temptations.
We should be temple-worthy in good times and in bad times.
We must be righteous, follow rules, and be prepared for difficult times.
Having the companionship of the Holy Ghost will make us better people -- are my actions always inviting the Spirit or pushing the Spirit away?
Keep the Sabbath Day more holy by not doing our own pleasure, but doing God's will.
Repentance is a process that requires consistency in each of its steps. Don't become entangled in the vanities of the world.
We must be willing to act when we receive an answer.
We need to ask the Lord for directions along the way -- "How can I improve?"
We choose to be HAPPY or SAD during trials.
If we follow His example, love God, and serve others with kindness and compassion, THEN we may STAND IN PURITY, blameless before God at the last day.
I can find happiness and joy as I utilize the tools Heavenly Father has given me to stay clean and virtuous.
As I learn of my Divine Worth, I can learn to see the Divine Worth of others.

Joycelyn's Ponderings

Friday, January 15, 2016

The Blessings NOW of Being Temple Worthy

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