Living the Commandments...

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “As we live the commandments of God, we can look forward with joyful anticipation to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and know that through our efforts we are worthy, with our loved ones, to dwell in His presence for all eternity. Surely nothing is too hard to gain this great goal. We cannot let down for a moment. We must prove, every day of our lives, that we are willing to do the will of the Lord—to spread the restored gospel, to bear testimony to the world, to share the gospel with others” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 341).

So what does it mean to keep the commandments? I suggest that it is a lot more than what we do and what we do not do. I propose that it is the very nature of what we are. If love is not a part of our very being, if we have not come to the place where there is no difference in how we treat a prince or a pauper who are we?

Many can walk the walk, especially if it is a part of their culture but is it written on "the fleshy parts of their heart" as Ezekiel taught? When you say, I cannot be there yet you have stopped yourself already. Life is not the circumstances that you find yourself in it is the state of heart and mind that you have. It is much greater and more "dimensional" than any of us give it credit for.

As President Benson states we are proven daily and repeatedly if we will be faithful and fulfill our duty, even the duty of following the will of the living God. How can we share the gospel if all that we have is a set of rules? Our General Relief Society meeting held information in Sister Beck's talk that suggested that Heavenly Father has finally gotten us to understand that it is we who must have the ability to "be" and not just be directed at all times in what we are to do. Oh how I long to be able to share the testimony that burns within my heart...

I shudder to invite others to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints because it is a cruel and cold place even as it is the only church with the fullness of the gospel within it. It absorbs all truth that is outside its parameters to come within. This is the doctrine but the people have grown cold and proud thinking that it is they who have brought these "wonderful things" to pass. It is really awful. And my heart cries...it especially cries for all those outside of its direct influence that desire to know and believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

Again, What if the Scriptures were True? They testify that man becomes proud when he becomes rich and at that time he is unteachable. So does it not stand to reason that the church would look like this as these are the last days. Are we to participate in the hypocrisy or are we to do as we have covenanted in the temple and testify that there is truth and light in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I suggest that we are to testify and bear witness when we are not allowed to "be".

For example to do home teaching is a commandment and it can be done in many ways but when it is done to build the self or to check off the list it is a lie and in my opinion an abomination before God and a kick in the face to the one we are going to visit. It is truly a mockery and disgrace to God for the life and ability that he has given each of us to "be". Respect and dignity are to be given to all, beginning with the self.

There is something very far off from what is being taught in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the way that people are living.

I say this not to criticize but to plead with all that we may come unto the Savior the way he meant for us to that we might be delivered and that we might be able to reach out to others and bring them in under the wing of our Redeemer and not left to the buffetings of Satan.