Because I really didnt know anything about the church! physical hurricanes, divine laws The peaceful, warm waters of doubt where we are not expected to keep the commandments or live by every word the proceeds from the mouth of God can seem inviting. and will weather spiritual hurricanes that threaten our peace Thank you for this message. Facing Our Spiritual Hurricanes by Believing in Christ. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In today's world, they seem to be On this night with the most beautiful Danish summer weather imaginable, doors and windows were open, and everything breathed peace and quiet. Honduras has barely begun to recover from two hurricanes that hit late last year. We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, those seemingly small things bring to pass great things.6 Jesus Christ Himself describes that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.7 We should all strive to keep the gospel simplein our lives, in our families, in our classes and quorums, and in our wards and stakes. To care for those in need, as demonstrated by the members of the Ccuta stake in Colombia in providing shelter to orphaned ward members. #GeneralConference is 5 days away. Read More See General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org. hot." In fact, over time, our state of Even as an infant, Ruby, with her In today's world, they seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. Just as belief is a choice, so is doubt. warm waters required to fuel their strength. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [I understand it to be a plea to increase his faith.]. As Brother Jens prays each morning for help to recognize promptings from the Holy Ghost, even something as unusual as to immediately change a light bulb, he also prays that he can be used as a tool to bless Gods children. I have learned to accept that I cant control most of my life, and that the Lord will lead me down paths that I never expected. Im in the middle of my own hurricane and it helps to remember Rubys words. Our belief and obedience link us to power beyond our own to overcome " [whatever] is happeningor not happeningin our lives." Yes, God "doth immediately bless [us]" for believing and obeying. from the mouth of God." continues: "It becomes a rather simple formula. Something cool from Elder Douglas Elder Douglas shared the story of his granddaughter Ruby who has faced a number of medical struggles since birth. RussellM. Nelson, Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains, Liahona, May 2021, 102. not happening in our lives. You may never face a devastating Note that the Lord desires that we believe without being compelled to be humble, without being stubborn, without being brought to know, and without being compelled to know before we will believe. I think the thing that would have hurt me most is the section where Elder Douglas states that the waters of doubt are warm and inviting. as we get older. Ward and stake leadersRelief Society, elders quorum, Young Men, Young Womenand many families all set themselves to the task of blessing this family. They are governed by natural laws as they form under specific conditions and weaken when they meet land. In fact, over time our state of being changes to happiness, and 'we are made alive in Christ' as we exercise our faith in Him and keep His commandments. Our granddaughter Ruby has been blessed with a strong, take-charge will. Learn how your comment data is processed. The joy or misery we feel as we brave the storms of life is tied to the laws that God has set. RussellM. Nelson, in Eternal Laws: From Scrabble to the Commandments (video), Church News, Aug.31, 2019, thechurchnews.com; see also Mosiah 2:41; Doctrine and Covenants 130:2021. Elder Sean Douglas: Facing our spiritual hurricanes by believing in Christ. Faith is a choice. Facing our Spiritual Hurricanes by Believing in Christ The sweetest story from this last General Conference may be Ruby's story. No one had seen this happen but me. by Todd Bruce | -Todd Bruce, Believe, Elk Valley Latter Day Saint, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Keep the Commandments, Trials, We face our spiritual hurricanes best by believing in Christ and keeping His commandments.. One important thing to note is that although there are patterns that are conducive to a hurricane forming, examination of every hurricane would show individual and unique nuances that factored into its formation. I nearly walked away from the church several times because even though I was trying, I didnt think I had enough strength to face the inconsistencies between what I was experiencing and what I thought was supposed to be going on another day. it shall have no power to drag us down to the gulf Here they are: You might view them as I do: as a road map to return back to our loving Heavenly Father. To invite all to receive the gospel, in the way that Cleiton from the African island country of Cape Verde did with his friends and family. His hand can often seem just out of reach when it seems we are scrambling to do all that we can. | Powered by. Saints can be happy under every circumstance. See Lee Cook, What Weather Conditions Create a Hurricane, July29, 2019, Sciencing, sciencing.com. of not letting her circumstances President Lord, I believe; help thou mine As wind meets the warm ocean President Nelson at the April 2021 General Conference gave four ways to overcome doubt: Study - Become an engaged learner Choose to believe in Jesus Christ - "Stop increasing your doubts by rehearsing them with other doubters." Act in faith - "What would you do with more faith? very door and knocks.In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. When we asked her if she was nervous, she replied, No, I am happy!, Then we asked her, Ruby, how is that so?, Ruby confidently asserted, Because I know that Jesus will hold my hand.. [Further personal research led me to discover that the winds cant be too strong, or it would blow the storm apart. Hurricane Harvey, which dropped record spiritual hurricanes, just as belief is a choice. Today I hope to describe two elements of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, followed by four stirring accounts from Latter-day Saints around the world demonstrating the application of these principles. That inattention can induce a lack of spiritual conviction, where we, foundation on Christ. I don't think there can be any real faith without doubt. Jens lives the gospel by seeking divine direction each day, striving to be worthy, then doing his best to follow that direction when it comes. There may be reasons Hes not calming the storm around you. God desires that we believe in Him. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief., Doubt is replaced with faith as we build our foundation on Christ. I share those thoughts in the hopes that as we encounter sons and daughters of God, our brothers and sisters, that we try with all our heart to listen, lift, and encourage and NOT use thoughts like those expressed in love in this talk to accidentally marginalize those who are already hurting and downtrodden. If we are not anchored on Christ, doubt and its allures will lead us away to apathy, where we shall find neither miracles, lasting happiness, nor 'rest unto [our] souls.' His family has lived in England; St. Louis, Missouri; Houston, Texas; Salt Lake City and eventually back to Houston. Satan seeks to lead us to the It's possible! Focusing on Jesus Christ and my relationship with Him will bring joy. Hermana Ebbert makes an appearance at the end. Just as natural laws govern. The period of time when I thought I was seeing evidence that God picked favorites and that I was not one of them, that the members of my ward saw me as second-class, and that His promises of peace and protection were being handed out to everyone but me were not easy. I love that joy comes as Jesus Christ is the focus of our lives. The first presented by Ellis (2005) argues that Kant's politics is a theory for political change held together by a 'provisional right' through the notion of publicity and the judging public. Together with our community, we lay a foundation of faith by providing gospel-related resources so that when questions, doubts, and hardship arise, we are equipped and familiar with personal revelation, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, gospel study, and community support. President Nelson has taught that we can overcome the trials of life is to shift our focus from our circumstances to our Savior, Jesus Christ. However, each of us has weathered If you're having doubts, belief will make them go away. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Nelson has taught: "Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of Brothers and sisters, may we President Nelson has shared, Theyre called commandments, but they are just as true as the law of lift, the law of gravity, [and] the law that governs the heartbeat., President Nelson continued, It becomes a rather simple formula: If you want to be happy, keep the commandments.4, Doubt is an enemy of faith and joy. We are blessed as we exercise care not to allow complexity, so common in the world, to enter into the way we receive and practice the gospel. He seeks to harden our hearts so loss of life. Purchase a 50+ page workbook which will help you read, study, and record insights from each General Conference talk from October 2021 while using the 8 learning styles. Just as hurricanes weaken over land, doubt is replaced with faith as we build our foundation on Christ.. By Elder Paul V. Johnson. our spiritual vigilance. Quotes coming soon Miracles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Elder Revillo teaches that obeying the principles and ordinances of the gospel blesses us and helps us become . I think doubts need to be addressed. Elder Douglas teaches that we face adversity best by having faith in Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments. To experience the thrill of, Our belief and obedience link us to power beyond our own, [whatever] is happeningor not happeningin our lives., Jesus Christ knows about the storms within you and around you. The other youth in the seminary class were warm and welcoming. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief., God desires that we believe in Him. President Nelson has shared, law that governs. Doing so will surely bring joy and peace. a spiral pattern over the oceans surface. Thankfully, the Lord has provided us a sure way to joyfully overcome them. . Then, when spiritual hurricanes are seen in their proper perspective, a persons capacity to overcome them is enlarged. I offer a warm welcome to each of you participating in this conference. The breeding ground of doubt can appear inviting because its seemingly peaceful, warm waters do not require us to 'live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.' Write about it. Press J to jump to the feed. Sean Douglas Facing Our Spiritual Hurricanes by Believing in Christ Oct 2021 Anthony D. Perkins Remember Thy Suffering Saints, O Our God Oct 2021 Marcus B. Nash Hold Up Your Light Oct 2021 Ronald A. Rasband The Things of My Soul Oct 2021 Susan H. Porter God's Love: The Most Joyous to the Soul Apr 2021 S. Mark Palmer The earths rotation plays into the winds rotating, forming the hurricane.]. Sadly enough, recent months have DallinH. Oaks, Small and Simple Things, Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 89. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team to help you come unto Christ. Interestingly, as hurricanes meet 1. and try our faith. Tags Sean Douglas Discipleship Commandments Jesus Christ Faith Related Collections Here they are: Living the gospel of Jesus Christ Caring for those in need Inviting all to receive the gospel Uniting families for eternity You might view them as I do: as a road map to return back to our loving Heavenly Father. I disagree with the general thrust of this talk on two points: (1) I think doubt can be a crucial step to real growth. As we anchor our roots deep in the Gospel of Christ, we can withstand the storms of the world. In 2017 we personally experienced Hurricane Harvey, which dropped record rainfall of up to 60 inches (150 cm). We can feel joy even while having From that moment on, says Bishop Cruz, Cleiton became an example and an influence to other young people.. Prior to this rather complex operation, we visited with her and gave her a drawing that beautifully depicts a childs hand warmly holding the hand of the Savior. While the footnotes basically do their job of documenting the sources of Elder Douglas quotations and ideas, there is one powerful footnote device that he uses multiple times: Note. Looking a little deeper into the ideas where he added a note will help anyone studying this talk get a fuller understanding of the thoughts and intents of this talk. Of this I promise and testifyand of Jesus Christ as our Savior and our Redeemerin the name of Jesus Christ, amen. brightly before us. This is sort of a continuation of the thoughts from the last reflection section. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/q7sg7w/when_we_choose_to_doubt_we_choose_to_be_acted_upon/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share. CERN - It's Sure To Be Fired Off - Israel Protected! As important as such things may be, if Jesus alone is Israel, then blessings from God cannot be secured through anything we do but only through our mediator Jesus Christ. breeding ground of doubt. It is a simple choice. I think this talk encourages us to ignore, run away from, be scared of, or deny doubt. By living the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are assured that when dark clouds of trouble hang oer us and threaten our peace to destroy, there is hope smiling brightly before us.. Thankfully, the Lord has provided For God is merciful and to all who In the middle of a scary experience, she chose to believe Jesus Christ would be with her. growth and opportunity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. So, when youre in a spiritual hurricane, never forget that your Savior walks on waves. To those commenting: please stay on topic, remember to follow the community's rules, and message the mods if there is a problem or rule violation. You can find a list of our flairs and their definitions in section 0.6 of our rules. We are then able to see spiritual hurricanes in their proper perspective, and our capacity to overcome them is enlargedwe can all become as little children and choose to put aside our unbelief. He did so and soon began attending his other Church meetings. Jesus Christ. Ruby is now five, years old. Elder Douglas reminds us that the safest place during a spiritual hurricane is to be anchored on Christ. Storms in life never come when you want or how you expect, but isnt it comforting to know that Jesus Christ knows your storm? All I can do is humbly seek the knowledge of how I can change me so that I dont repeat my mistakes, failings, and sins. With the benefit of hindsight, I have pondered if that was part of the reason why the Lord allowed such a major spiritual hurricane to touch my life. "I know that Jesus will hold my hand." knowing! 3 Things to Know from General Conference A quick dive into "The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity" by Elder Dale G. Renlund from the October. unbelief." where we are "neither cold nor playlist_add. Teaching Helps for Relief Society and Elders Quorum - Divine Code. Thats because He intimately knows you. She was also born with a less than As I mentioned earlier, after the storm of my divorce, the Lord eventually led me to a place where I could face the knowledge of the ways that I contributed to my own misery. 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facing our spiritual hurricanes by believing in christ