I have a talk written by my husband Jason, written on 01/07/23.
Jason was raised by two amazing adoptive parents. His father was a convert born in Australia. He was adopted at birth and has a twin brother and a younger sister born into the family 3 years after he and his brother were adopted. He's been training and teaching Kenpo Karate for over 20 years and has been a mental health therapist for over 12 years. One thing my husband and I have in common is our belief system. Our guidance and purposes in life are rooted in the teaching of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the joy that comes from that gospel.
I asked my husband, Jason Earle, for permission to share this on my blog- I thought it would be loved by more than just our ward congregation:
"Today I have been asked to speak about this weeks Come, Follow Me lesson, more specifically on revelation parents can receive to help or protect their families. I’d like to start by reading this section from this weeks Come, Follow Me lesson.
“From the day of his birth, it was clear that Jesus was no ordinary child. It wasn’t just the new star in the heavens or the joyous angelic proclamation that made Jesus’s infancy remarkable. It was also the fact that such a variety of faithful people-from different nations, professions, and backgrounds-felt immediately drawn to Him. Even before He uttered his invitation to ‘come, follow me,’ they came. Not everyone came to Him, of course. There were many who paid Him no notice, and a jealous ruler even sought His life. But the humble, pure, devoted seekers of righteousness saw Him for who He was—their promised Messiah.”
One thing to remember is that he was born in HUMBLE circumstances. One does not need riches or elegance to be an influence. The surroundings or circumstances of one’s birth are not a determinant of greatness or success, as it was with our Savior. So, if you are one who thinks you may not have influence because of your socioeconomic status, where you were born, where you live, and so forth, look to the Savior and his influence during his life and his wonderous influence since, all over the world.
Joseph and Mary were truly blessed people because they listened to the promptings of the spirit. As we know, Herod (as well as others) sought to kill the baby Jesus. It was Joseph listening to the promptings of the spirit that allowed Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to remain safe. Read Matthew 2:13-15.
13: And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying. Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14: When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.
15: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Brothers and sisters, we are all surrounded by many dangers today. As I have worked with many youths over the years, including my own children, bullying of all types is of epidemic proportions and we can see the results of it all over the news from school shootings, to suicide, to less life threatening things such as missing school or getting behind on school work. I talk not of just physical dangers, but also of emotional, mental, and spiritual dangers. Rates of depression and anxiety appear to be going up. In 2020, and estimated 21 million adults in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode. Anxiety appears to affect about 284 million people in the world. Most people I have personally worked with, suffer from a mood disorder or it is part of their struggles. We live in an instant gratification world with so much temptation around us, often disguised in such ways as it makes it hard for those who are not prepared, to resist such temptation. Most, if not all of us, probably see this or are aware of the temptation surrounding us and the influence that we may give into due to a need to fit in or because it is wrapped in pretty paper. Our youth especially. I hear from so many youth, including my own, for example, of school bathrooms used to smoke, use other harmful drugs, or engage in morally harmful behavior. Make no mistake, Satan knows what he is doing and he is happy to see so many falling for these traps.
Let’s think for a moment about the Word of Wisdom and how following it may help us. Some may misunderstand and think it is too restrictive. However, it is the opposite. If one follows the Word of Wisdom, one is able to enjoy the benefits of good health. And with good health comes more opportunities and more fulfilment in life, which leads to a greater chance of true happiness. In order to hear the words of the Savior, we must not just listen, but must also have Prepared ourselves to listen and receive revelation.
What is revelation? It is simply communication from God to his children---US. We receive revelation through our prophets, parents, other leaders, through scripture study, prayer, and the Holy Ghost. The prophet Joseph Smith received revelation through visitation by God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. Though modern revelation may not be as spectacular as receiving a direct visit from our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, or an angel; it is just as significant and we should listen just as if it was a face-to-face contact with these divine beings.
Allow me to share a story of one of my clients. This was related to the shootout in Herriman that happened not long ago in which a male member or former member of the National Guard threatened to kill himself and shoot anyone that came to stop him. Some of his friends from the National Guard, SWAT, and police showed up to try and talk him down. This led to a shootout in which the man was killed. My client lives almost across the street from this house and, during the course of the shootout, several bullets came through her walls. She is a very recent member of the church, maybe 2-3 months. The day before this incident occurred, she felt nervous and felt prompted to send her 3 youngest children with her parents. She did not know why she had this feelings or promptings, but she followed it. As she explained it, she only received word to shelter in place, but did not know why or that there was going to be a shootout right outside her door. Had the children been home during this occurrence, there is a high chance one of many of them could have been shot, killed, and, even if they did not receive any injuries, it would have surely caused a great deal of trauma to them, one who already worked through some prior trauma and has some significant emotional difficulties. Because she followed these promptings, her children were safe. She is struggling emotionally with the result of this incident, but we are working through it and she is showing a lot of strength.
In a talk from President Nelson in the April 2018 General Conference he states “Imagine the miracle of it! Whatever our Church calling, we can pray to our Heavenly Father and receive guidance and direction, be warned about dangers and distractions, and be enabled to accomplish things we simply could not do on our own. If we will truly receive the Holy Ghost and learned to discern and understand His promptings, we will be guided in matters large and small.”
We can all receive revelation and promptings if we learn to listen. Just as Joseph Smith was guided by James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,” we too must follow this and regularly ask of God and be prepared to really listen. What else must we do to receive revelation. Prayer. The Lord has told us “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Reverence. One activity that I sometimes do in my martial art classes is to encourage my students, mostly kids for this activity, to sit still for as long as possible, eyes open, no stimulation, just sit. I have found it interesting to observe how difficult it is for many to just sit without needing stimulation. Of course, that is the modern world we live in of constant bombardment of information and stimulation to where our brains have literally been rewired to have to redirect our attention constantly or try to focus on many things. How difficult it must be to sit in reverence and peace, but it is not impossible. In a previous ward, I was a youth Sunday School teacher, and I recall going through many of the lessons and I found that Humility was a common quality encouraged in each. One of my favorite quotes says “Do not be like the frog at the bottom of the well who thinks that the sky above is all there is to heaven.” Be open minded and willing to learn from anyone, no matter their age, race, religion, and so forth. Especially be open minded and willing to listen to the voice of the spirit. With this busy world we live in, we also struggle to ponder or self-reflect. One of the qualities of resilience is the need to self-reflect. Through pondering and self-reflection we are more open to the guiding influence of the Holy Ghost and we come closer to knowing and living our true potential. We can obtain much strength through this means. It also keeps us in check as we can turn our focus away from trivial things of the world to a more eternal perspective. Also, be patient with the Lord. Again, in this instant gratification world we struggle to wait for things. I like to call it the Veruca Salt Syndrome. I want it now! In D&C 88:68 it says “Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.” We often become frustrated when we don’t get the specific answer we want or don’t get it in the time frame we feel is appropriate. Patience. He is aware of each of us and our needs.
Think about who it is that offers us guidance or tries to get us to listen. Remember that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. He has the special skill of being able to see what may come if we make certain choices. Parents or others who have been around longer than us, have some of that wisdom too. When I talk to people about decision making, the things I ask them to look for are feedback from others (what are those who care about you telling you? What are our trusted leaders telling us?) Look at the outcome of your choices (Was it truly favorable? Did it add to your life? In a religious context, did it bring you closer to Jesus or at least not away from Jesus?) How did that choice make you feel, or at least how does considering that choice make you feel? As Yoda would say “trust your feelings.” We have been given the knowledge to know right from wrong. However, we also live in a world where the distinguishment between the two has become distorted. If we are in line with the teachings of the gospel, we can better discern. And it is not the Church telling us what do to. It is the Lord guiding us to make healthier decisions because he knows they will help us, lead to greater fulfilment of life, and back to our true home with Him.
One of my favorite words is honor. Jesus was the perfect example of honoring his father as he was “about his business.” What does it mean to be “about his business?”
In the General Handbook it states “ As we come unto Christ and help others do the same, we participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation.” This all guided by the two great commandments to love God and to love our neighbors. In this, there are four divinely appointed responsibilities: Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Caring for Those in Need, Inviting All to Receive the Gospel, and Uniting Families for Eternity. Now there is a lot behind each of these responsibilities and I would invite you to think of how you can work on one or all of these in your own lives. Look for opportunities to serve and care for others.
Brothers and sisters, we have so many wise and faithful people surrounding us, trying to guide us in a direction they know will be better for us, will lead to greater happiness, to salvation, to our home with the Lord. Why do we not listen? Think of the story of the Tree of Life. The temptation of those who wandered into the mist and of those in the great and spacious building is ever present today and growing. Those who follow the “Iron Rod” to the Tree of Life and salvation are mocked today just as they were in the vision. Many people see religion as a crutch, for those who are ignorant, can’t think for themselves, it is too restrictive, keeps them from fitting in, keeps them feeling left out of certain things, and so forth. Brothers and sisters, these are the traps of Lucifer. When we fall prey to these traps, we are unable to receive revelation, promptings, the many gifts in store for us, true happiness, salvation, and so forth. I believe and know with all my heart that the Word of God is true, the church is true, we have truly inspired and worthy leaders guiding us who receive revelations from the Lord who loves us, and it is for our own good, and that if we challenge ourselves to follow the teachings of the gospel, remain worthy, attend church, read our scriptures, pray, and go to the temple then we too can receive those special promptings and revelations that come with blessings beyond measure. I leave these messages with you, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!"
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