Continuing Revelation

I would like to talk about continuing revelation and its importance in my life. First I would like to quote Elder Holland from the April 2008 conference: "Some Christians, in large measure because of their genuine love for the Bible, have declared that there can be no more authorized scripture beyond the Bible. In thus pronouncing the canon of revelation closed, our friends in some other faiths shut the door on divine expression that we in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold dear: the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the ongoing guidance received by God’s anointed prophets and apostles. Imputing no ill will to those who take such a position, nevertheless we respectfully but resolutely reject such an unscriptural characterization of true Christianity" (http://lds.org). The Book of Mormon is a testimony that there is continuing revelation. It could not have come about without divine assistance. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon; it has shaped my life like no other book has and I know that what is written is true. I know that through of the faith of a 14 year old boy, the Lord re-established his Church in these days. If the heavens were closed, this would not be possible. If the heavens were closed, there might as well be no god. Fortunately, the heavens are open and God speaks to man again as in the days of Adam!
God also speaks to us on an individual level, not just through His selected and inspired leaders. We have the wonderful gift of prayer which allows us to communicate with our Father in Heaven. My Heavenly Father has guided my life and for that I am infinitely grateful. " Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5; http://scriptures.lds.org) This is what I have striven to do all my life and there is no denying His loving hands gently steering me in the right direction.
I love the Lord Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon which truly testifies of Him along with the New and Old testaments. I pray that I may always try to be worthy of His love.

Through the Merits, and Mercy and Grace

These last few weeks I have been overwhelmed with blessings. These tender mercies of the Lord fill my life with such happiness and I don't know how there is any way I could deserve this. Then I realized that I don't - but that it is a gift of God. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "Obviously the unconditional blessings of the Atonement are unearned, but the conditional ones are not fully merited either. By living faithfully and keeping the commandments of God, one can receive additional privileges; but they are still given freely, not technically earned" (http://jesuschrist.lds.org).

Mark 14 gives Peter's account of Jesus' suffering in the garden of Gethsemane. He said that he "began to be sore amazed and to be very heavy" (Mark 14:33). In looking closer at the words "amazed" and "heavy" I gained new insight into the Atonement. Alternate Greek meanings for amazed include: amazed, awestruck, astonished. Even Jesus Christ was taken aback by the intensity of the "pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children" (2 Nephi 9:21). Other meanings for the Greek word "heavy" are depressed, dejected, in anguish (see footnote, Mark 14:33 https://lds.org). Isaiah prophesied: "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows . . . he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities . . . he was oppressed, and he was afflicted" (Isaiah 53:4-7). I chose this picture of Jesus Christ in Gethsemane, by James C. Christensen because it caused me to look again and to ponder on what the Atonement cost and rethink what it means to me. For all of my wrongs, weaknesses and sorrows, I am able to be forgiven, healed and comforted through the great power of the Atonement. Jesus Christ is the source of my happiness and my salvation!
"To the thoughtful woman and man, it is "a matter of surpassing wonder" that the voluntary and merciful sacrifice of a single being could satisfy the infinite and eternal demands of justice, atone for every human transgression and misdeed, and thereby sweep all humankind into the encompassing arms of His merciful embrace. But so it is" (Holland, http://jesuschrist.lds.org). As there have been in the past, I know that there will be hard times to come even though, right now, my life is steady. But because of His Atonement, I will ultimately be able to overcome these difficulties. I can turn to Him in times of scarcity and times plenty and He will always be there. I testify that He lives and that through Him we can each obtain eternal life through His merits, mercy and His grace.