70- (6-10-24) COME FOLLOW ME-taking upon us the name of Christ

 70- (6-10-24) COME FOLLOW ME-taking upon us the name of Christ

We had a neat Come Follow Me yesterday. Mama shared a special experience that happened to her this week. She was voicing to me her thoughts about how to respond to a tragic life event one of her friends had experienced. This friends faith has waned over the years, making mama unsure of how to respond. She wanted to bear her testimony via text or email, but was struggling with what words to share. Out loud she voiced her faith in the Savior to me, testifying of the power and healing of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the comfort that brings her personally and how she can’t imagine experiencing tragedy in her life without that faith to lean on. Then she said something like, “I just don’t know what to say to my friend.” Graham, after overhearing this conversation, simply and sweetly said, “just tell her what you just said.” I didn’t say anything, nor did mama at the time. But it took us both back. It was so powerful and wise when he spoke with this faith. Mama took his advice to heart in the things she shared with her friend.

The reason I’m sharing this with all of you, is because I feel like this blessing is a direct result of striving to follow Come Follow Me in our home. I can’t overstate the strength this has brought to our family over the past several years. Not just in the Sunday sharing, but in the weekly readings and preparation. I see Graham and Lainey studying their scriptures on their own, and I can’t help but SEE the prophet’s promises coming to pass right before my eyes. 

Come Follow Me has strengthened my own personal scripture study as well, and I’m so grateful for it.

This week in Come Follow Me, we learned about the ultimate distinguishing factor that separates those who follow the Savior from those who choose the world. It is choosing to be identified as the seed of Jesus Christ.


Alma 3: 17 And again, I say he that departeth from thee shall no more be called thy seed; and I will bless thee, and whomsoever shall be called thy seed, henceforth and forever; and these were the promises of the Lord unto Nephi and to his seed.


This promise was recorded as given to the Nephites, and it is the same promise given to Abraham, and to each one of us. The promise is that we will be called “His seed”, as we literally and figuratively take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. 


Reading this scripture caused me to think this week of the Sacramental prayers that we offer each week and their significance in our lives. 


D&C 20:77,79 

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.


O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.


We first accept by covenant that we are “willing” to take upon us the name of Christ, and then we “witness” that we always remember him as we go about our day to day activities. He is in our thoughts, the words we speak, giving us greater purpose in our actions. We strive to think, speak, and do as He would because we are literally His seed, striving to be like Him. 


Of course we fail at this repeatedly, and sometimes miserably, but we never lose our willingness, nor our commitment to regroup and keep trying.  This is what separates those who are striving to follow the Savior, taking His name upon us, from the world. 


The strengthening power comes to us in the form of His promise to us, the companionship of the Holy Ghost. This divine assistance is one of the gifts of Jesus Christ’s enabling power offered to us through His infinite atonement.


I love this teaching by President Eyring - “If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost, you may take it as evidence that the Atonement is working in your life. For that reason and many others, you would do well to put yourself in places and in tasks that invite the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost works both ways: the Holy Ghost only dwells in a clean temple, and the reception of the Holy Ghost cleanses us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And with that companionship you will be strengthened against temptation and empowered to detect deception.”


What a Gift! What a Promise!


Invitation: Take time to reflect on this question: In what ways did I see myself today taking upon me the name of Jesus Christ? Record your thoughts, and put those thoughts into actions.


Have a wonderful week. Love each one of you like crazy,


Dad

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

86- 9/30/24

  We can’t wait to all be together this weekend. Mama and I were talking last night about when the next time we might all be together at home again after this weekend and she mentioned it might not be until April Conference time next year. So needless to say we are really looking forward to this weekend. I will keep it short today with a simple invitation. Throughout this week leading up to General Conference and hearing the words of prophets, ask yourself this question: What do you know and have in your life because there is a living prophet on the Earth today?  I think your thoughts will lead you where mine have, and that is to a place of gratitude. No wonder we often sing: We Thank Thee O God, for a Prophet! Love, Dad
Read more

99- 12-30-24

 Hello Family, Happy New Year! It is New Year’s Eve, and we are gathered all together in Ogden, Utah. What a treat to be all together! As Lainey would say, “I love you guys!” This weekend I have watched each of you set time aside to plan and to make New Year’s Resolutions, pondering on things that you would like to add or improve in your life. I love that! A life without purpose is a life of complacency. Goals put us in a place to act, and to do. You each know who you are and what your purpose is, and this brings so much joy to Mama and I. This purpose is innate in each one of us, and as we listen to, and follow the Spirit we will continue to strive to become better. The Hope we have that we can be successful at this improvement comes from our faith in Jesus Christ. Nephi teaches us,“ And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from e...
Read more

45 (12-4-2023) I Need Thee Every Hour

 45 (12-4-2023) I Need Thee Every Hour Dear Family, This scripture has stayed with me over the past couple of weeks, and has helped me several times. The message has gained greater meaning for me as I try to apply it. I thought this week I would share a few examples of its application in my own life,    and invite you to consider ways to apply it in yours. 2 Nephi 9:39    Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal. President Nelson defined thinking Celestial as being spiritually minded. The prophet Jacob defined here the same way, as “life eternal”. This is our greatest hope and desire, to return to our love in Heavenly parents, and to be together as family forever. So here are just a couple of ways striving to be spiritually minded have helped me this past week: As you all know to well, because you know me better then anyone, patience manages to stay one or two steps ahead of me most times. And when I am inpatient, I ...
Read more