Thursday, May 26, 2016

Offer Your Whole Souls To His Work

D&C 30:11 reads , " And your whole labor shall be in Zion, with all of your soul, from henceforth; yea, you shall ever open your mouth in my cause, not fearing what man can do, for I am with you. Amen.

As I have been pondering this scripture many thoughts have come to my mind. To the world it can seem like we are asked so much of ourselves, but truly this is not a new concept as Jesus Christ Himself taught this same principle to the rich young ruler whom asked what he needed to do in order to inherit eternal life? Jesus's response was, " go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast...take up the cross....and follow me." ( Matt.19:16-22 )

Many times this scripture reference is used to explain that we must not hold onto the worldly enticings of wealth, However,  the last sentence also explains what we are so frequently taught in the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - To take up our cross and follow Him by sacrificing our time and our talents for His Kingdom.

The cross represents our Savior's entire purpose and work here upon the earth. Of course no one is asked to bear what He has already born for us; but, we are asked to labor with all of our souls or give all that we have to His work.

I know that what we are being asked to do in giving all of our souls to His work is actually a great blessing to us.

 As we work to serve Him and sacrifice in our own ways, we are coming to know Him more.

How can a man whom has never known sacrifice for the Lord even claim to love or be like Him?

I appreciate and love these quotes in regards to the works and sacrifices that we must give in order to know Him:

" A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation." - Joseph Smith

" Sometimes you need to sacrifice something that matters to you...to offer something that matters more for much more than yourself." - unknown

Lastly, I consider the words that Jesus Christ gave Joseph Smith when he had been imprisoned in the winter for four months, sitting on a cold floor, being fed food with poison, and having no proper bathroom to use :

D&C 122:
 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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