78 (8/5/24) Think Celestial, Cross yo self

 78 (8/5/24)

Thank you all for such a WONDERFUL weekend! Miles, it is so good to have you back home! When we were all out in the yard playing games Saturday night I went over to talk to mama sitting on the patio lounge chairs. She was all smiles. She said, “I love each one of them so much, and my mama heart is completely full!” It is a hard feeling to describe, but to have all of you together, enjoying each other, it is just the absolute best feeling.

As I think about all of you going back to school here soon, it seems like in away you are leaving the safe haven of home and gong back into the world. Less home and mama time, and more time away, where the influence of the world is a little louder. Obviously this is the way it is meant to be, and we have no doubt you will each thrive and excel wherever you are. But here is an unsolicited reminder from a dad who loves you so so much. Do all that you can each and every day to take the Spirit with you wherever you go. Make this your priority above all others, and you will not only be protected from the adversary, but you will find happiness in all that you are involved.

I cam across this quote recently and I echo the words of President George Albert Smith’s grandfather’s counsel to his family: “There is a line of demarcation well defined between the Lord’s territory and the devil’s territory. If you will stay on the Lord’s side of the line you will be under his influence and will have no desire to do wrong; but if you cross to the devil’s side of that line one inch you are in the tempter’s power and if he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly because you will have lost the Spirit of the Lord.”

George Albert Smith said that he used this counsel throughout his life to guide his choices: “When I have been tempted sometimes to do a certain thing, I have asked myself, ‘Which side of the line am I on?’ If I determined to be on the safe side, the Lord’s side, I would do the right thing every time. So when temptation comes think prayerfully about your problem and the influence of the Lord will aid you to decide wisely. There is safety for us only on the Lord’s side of the line.”

This week we will study in Come Follow Me the words of Alma to his son Corianton. 

Corianton was obviously struggling with immorality issues, but we all have issues of our own. The counsel he received from his father applies to each one of us: 

“Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins …. cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things (Alma 39:9).

Alma used the words “cross yourself”, and in the Miller home we might say “Check Yo Self”. But it is the same. He is saying step back and look at the big picture. Think Celestial. Then re-enter the day to day situation you are struggling in with an eternal perspective. This will help each of us stay on the Lord’s side of the line as we face’s Satan’s temptations and life’s trials.

I’ll end with my favorite scripture because it of coarse applies :)

The natural part of us is an enemy to God and we need to constantly fight that part off by listening to Holy Ghost. It is not enough for us to only hear the Spirit warning us, but when he whispers that we are in the “danger zone”, we must choose to exercise our faith in the heat of that moment of trial and testing, LISTENING and yielding to His promptings. Faith in the Savior is where the power we need lies. 

Love you so much,

Dad