Looking Inside: Recognize the Lord’s Hand… to be continued

• Recognize the Lord’s hand in all things (see D&C 59:21).

Doctrine and Covenants 59:21

21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.

This scripture teaches that we offend God when we do not express our thankfulness to Him and keep His commandments. The offense and wrath of God described in verse 21 are evidence of His love for us. God is displeased when we are ungrateful or disobedient because these attitudes distance us from Him.

I read the other day some quotes from Elder Robert D. Hales about gratitude:

"Gratitude is a state of appreciation, an act of thanksgiving, which causes us to be humble because we recognize an act of kindness, service, or caring from someone else which lifts us and strengthens us."

I understand now why being grateful is one of the ways we learn to be humble and why recognizing the Lord's hand in all things is a way of developing humility.

Elder Hales further quoted from the scripture:

"Gratitude is a divine principle”

  "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things" (D&C 59:7)." 

He taught that this scripture means expressing gratitude to God for everything that happens in our lives. It is not only for the good things in life but for the opposition and challenges of life that add to our experience and faith. It means we put our lives in His hands, realizing that all that transpires will be for our benefits and experiences.

It was indeed the Lord's hand in every single detail in my life when I started to look back:

The Lord was there when I cried out to Him to bring my family back together to me;

The Lord was the one who did the miracles on my path and Alvin's path;

The Lord was the one who led me to find and purchased a home for my small family;

He was the one who led our family to get baptized into His Church, and we were able to seal in the Cebu temple for all time and eternity;

He was there in every most important or trial that I faced;

The Lord was there when both Issac and Annabelle were missing in the busy streets of Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui to guide them back to the temple ground;

The Lord orchestrated the subsequent events that happened after our Hong Kong temple trip, which eventually I only knew later.

I always wanted to write every single life experience that the Lord's hand in my life. I sometimes feel as those were the moments that would keep reminding me to remember Him whenever I wanted to give up, or even the peace and comfort that He is with me all the time and I am not alone at all.

I think this is the week to recall those beautiful memories and observe them in the present to recognize them now and then.

The Gospel Media credit to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

Looking Inside: Submissive to the Lord’s Will… to be continued

We did have a great time last Thursday evening about the 2nd week of our PathwayConnect's gathering. We were enjoying the sharing of both Elder and Sister Liew their carer exploration experiences. Almost the end of our gathering, we talked a bit about the assignments we were doing last week about the Certificate Planning and the Value of Degree.

Sister Juneffer shared her thoughts on selecting the first certificate that she could not find her interest subjects, and it was so hard. I nodded my head and agreed on what she has to share. I found out that it is not only me alone having the same thought.

Eventually, last Friday, after discussing this particular assignment on our group chat, brother Clearance just WhatsApp a message to all of us from his instructor. It seems as the BYU Pathway Portal of the Interest Survey was experiencing some issues and not working correctly. Thus, BYU Pathway excuses this week's application activity for the Certificate Planning and Value of a Degree assignment. Both Juneffer and I were so happy and thankful for brother Clearance for letting us know this exciting news!

I recalled last Thursday night before sleep, and I prayed for Heavenly Father to thank Him for Issac managed to get the vaccination, even though Annabelle was not allowed.

I then gave a specific prayer that I would submit to the Lord's will if choosing the certificate was a test of the Lord's will. I repented all my earlier unfriendly thoughts and let Him know that it was ok for me to do the Lord's will. I did take some time to pray about this.

I am not sure if this is an answer to the prayer, or I rather see this as a lesson that heavenly Father wants me to learn. Learn to be humble and be submissive to His will. I received the email from my course instructor about the same issues as what brother Clearance told us.

Today I noticed that the Interest Survey in the Student Portal has back to normal. After I did the new interest survey, the result popped out, and indeed, I can see more certificate options that I can choose.

Now, it seems that I have a brand new problem. After I saw the top four interests that might suit me, I had to consider the marketability of these subjects. I am asking myself if I want to change my career or my job now, and it is a 'No' at this point because jobs are difficult to find anywhere now during this pandemic.

The peace and comfort I experienced during the last few weeks of careful consideration and thoughts about the Bachelor Degree of Applied Health interest me in getting to know more about this knowledge that can help others in need.

The marketability of this subject is more significant than Marriage and Family Studies. It gave me a new perspective and favoured either Fundamentals of Medical Coding or Community Health Planning and Implementation, which I think is good.

Studying Marriage, Family, and Human Relations is never a popular subject to take, and in the marketability wise, it is not so popular. I am thinking of all this BYU PathwayConnect has started for me because of the Marriage, Family, and Human Relations Certificate that I wanted to study. It motivated me to enrol in the PathwayConnect program.

I wanted to learn more because of my own family and the experiences that I had gone through. I thought that there must be something that I managed to learn and pick up to improve my marriage and my relationship with others. An enrichment for me at the same time, I can earn a degree and, who knows, might help someone later in life.

Issac told me that, “Do I ask you to wait a little longer? Be patience in His timing. Now it is great after all!” I told him how I felt about this lesson of being humble and relates to the Humility project which I am working on. Issac nodded his head and agree that sometimes God does things in His different ways.

I need to carefully think and pray about these two subjects that I want to take for my next semester course. Overall, I am grateful for this unusual experience when trying to learn to submit my will to the Lord's will. This learning experience is just a start, and I will know more throughout this semester and in my life.

The Gospel Media credit to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

Looking Inside: Submissive to the Lord’s will… to be continued

• Submit our will to the Lord’s will (see 3 Nephi 11:11; Moroni 10:32)

3 Nephi 11:11

And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

Moroni 10:32

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

These past few weeks were not easy for me. All these feelings of uneasiness started after I did the interest survey in the academic planning in the BYU-Pathway Student Portal. We will take the first course of our first certificate during PathwayConnect.

After we finish PathwayConnect, we will take 3–4 more courses to complete your first certificate. But it seems like we have only five certificate choices that we can choose from, namely Technical Support Engineer Certificate, Fundamentals of Medical Coding Certificate, Hospitality and Tourism Management Certificate, Project Management Certificate, and Basic Accounting Certificate.

It does not have the Marriage, Family, and Human Relations Certificate that I desire, which motivated me to enroll in the PathwayConnect program. It is unsettling for me, and it feels as it defeats the purpose why I register to pursue an education again. It is kind of hard to accept the fact like this.

I am wondering, for these past weeks, a big WHY? Why could I not get what I wanted? And it is just as simple as taking the course that I wish to? I am wondering if this is the will of the Lord that I should study other than Marriage and Family Studies. It is really to accept the fact as it is. I had expressed my disappointment to Issac and Alvin on the limited choices of certificate courses that I could take.

Out of the five mentioned above, I am more comfortable with either a Project Management Certificate or Fundamentals of Medical Coding Certificate. I prefer Project Management Certificate is because this is what I am currently doing in my job. Maybe a certificate is good for me as I have worked without a certificate or diploma for so many years. But it alone could not form a Bachelor Degree of something that specializes in, wither Bachelor Degree of Applied Business with stack together with another Business & Leadership Skills Certificate and Business Administration certificate.

Another option would be a Bachelor's Degree in Professional Studies which can choose another two certificates, including the Marriage and Family Studies certificate. I feel unsettled, and it seems like not have a complete Bachelor's Degree in Marriage and Family Studies. It has other certifications such as Human Services Certificate, Parent and Family Education Certificate, and Child and Family Advocacy Certificate for the final year, which I would not be able to include in the degree then.

I have been thinking about these two options past few days, and I am finding some peace when I research more on the details course of the Fundamentals of Medical Coding certificate. It is a brand new subject for me, but somehow I do not feel any unfamiliar because it studies the human body, and it is kind of related to what I learned in Biology during my SPM days.

I asked Issac what his opinion is if he is in my current situation now. After listening to what I had to tell him, he suggested that maybe this Fundamentals of Medical Coding Certificate might be a good one for me, and I could perhaps try something new. He advised me to pray about it.

I sought Alvin's advice, he too, said that this course might be the one for me because of the things that I desired why I chose Marriage and Family Studies, whereby this would be the closest that match my intention of studying again.

Indeed I am feeling good, peace, and comfort in choosing the Fundamentals of Medical Certificate. I think that this will be a test of submissive to the will of the Lord? Earlier this month, I just said to myself that I am not the type of person that submits to the will of the Lord. It is tough for me, and I guess this is a good moment and time to do that. Suppose now might not be the best time to study that subject I wanted.

There must be some reasons that I do not know off, but I am OK with it if the Lord knows. The Lord knows the best what is lying ahead of me, and I can accept this peacefully. I am not sure, but if this is the case, tonight I shall give a prayer to Heavenly Father to repent of my earlier unfriendly thoughts and let Him know that I feel alright to accept the things that He is giving me, and I will strive to study sound and achieve the best marks that I can.

• I try to accept the Lord’s will, whatever it may be (see Mosiah 24:15).

Mosiah 24:15

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

The Gospel Media credit to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

How Can I Develop Humility?

Last Monday I watched the Face to Face with Elder and Sister Bednar: Ask, Seek, Knock. I remember that one YSA sister recalled hearing the counsel Elder Andersen shared with a woman who desired to strengthen her relationship with the Savior that eventually helped her found her answer to her own personal challenges.

Elder Andersen asked the woman, "What do you mean to be intentional with our faith?" The woman answered, "To me, being intentional means to consciously take the time and put up the effort to do these small, little, simple things every day that will bring me closer to Jesus Christ."

This woman answer reminds me of the Christlike Attribute Journal. The Christlike Attribute Journal will be part of that “intentional with my faith”, if, I do it as what that woman said, “small, little, simple things every day” as I learn to develop the Christlike attribute, one at a time daily, “that will bring me closer to Jesus Christ.”

I sourced and found the following lists from the Church magazine Ensign in September 2016, titled, “ What Is Humility, and how Do We Develop It?” by Sister Barbara A. Lewis.

There are some additional scriptures and verses that I added in as an additional when I do my study and do the work along the following weeks. The original article can be found on the link at the above.

Looking Inside: How Can I Develop Humility?

• Submit our will to the Lord’s will (see 3 Nephi 11:11; Moroni 10:32). I try to accept the Lord’s will, whatever it may be (see Mosiah 24:15).

• Recognize the Lord’s hand in all things (see D&C 59:21). I am sincerely grateful for the blessings I have received from the Lord (see Alma 7:23).

• Pray to our Father to help us grow in humility (see Helaman 3:33–35; Ether 12:27). My prayers are earnest and sincere (see Enos 1:4).

• Choose not to be offended (see D&C 42:88). I appreciate direction from my leaders or teachers (see 2 Nephi 9:28).

• Recognize, confess, and forsake our sins (see Mosiah 26:29–30; D&C 58:43). I rely on the Lord for help (see Alma 26:12).

• Fast and pray for the needs of others (see Isaiah 58:6–7; Alma 6:6).

• Think of the Savior and renew our covenants during the sacrament (see Mosiah 18:8–10; D&C 20:77, 79).

• I am meek and lowly in heart (see Matthew 11:29). 

Looking Outside: How Can I Humbly Serve Others?

• Donate our time and resources to help others (see Deuteronomy 15:11; Malachi 3:8–10; Mosiah 4:26).

• Accept Church callings willingly (see Mosiah 2:16–17).

• Refrain from boasting (see Matthew 23:12; Alma 38:11).

• Share our testimonies (see Mosiah 28:1–3).

• Serve a mission, if we can (see Alma 4:19; 31:5; D&C 112:28).

• Obtain or keep a current temple recommend, and attend the temple often (see Isaiah 2:2–3; D&C 124:39).

I promise myself to focus and do one of the lists above each week, observe and focus of the specific questions below:

• What experiences did you have as you developed your specific Christlike attribute?

• When did you realize that you did not act in a manner consistent with your specific Christlike attribute? What might you have done differently?

So that I can able to gain more stronger testimony about the blessings which being to be humble would bring – that the Savior would make my weaknesses strong, if, I continually do the work and change.

For Jesus Christ said, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (see Matthew 11:29). And, I did and always find rest unto my souls in my Savior Jesus Christ. 

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

The Gospel Media credit to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

Pride Is the Opposition of Humility

The opposite of humanity is pride, which is condemned in the scriptures. To be prideful means to put greater trust in oneself than in God or in His servants. It also means to put the things of the world above the things of God.

How Can I Recognize Pride in Myself?

1 Nephi 15:7-11

7 And they said: Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive tree, and also concerning the Gentiles.

8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?

11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

If we harden our hearts and do not look to the Lord, then we will struggle to understand spiritual truth. If we do not harden our hearts and we ask the Lord in faith and keep His commandments, then we will receive answers, understanding, greater revelation and guidance from Him.

 

1 Nephi 16:1-3

1 And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold they said unto me: Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear.

2 And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.

3 And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.

Declare truth is an effort to help us turn our hearts to God. Those who offend the Spirit through wickedness often take offense when given inspired correction or chastisement.

 

2 Timothy 3:1-4

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Some of the perils or full of danger or risk Paul said Timothy and we would experience or witness in our lives. All these characteristics are derived from being prideful.

Proverbs 13:10

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

 

Proverbs 15:10

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

 

Proverbs 28:25

25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

 

Prideful people take honour to themselves rather than giving God the glory. Pride is competitive; those who are prideful seek to have more and presume they are better than other people. Pride usually results in feelings of anger and hatred, and it is a great stumbling block.

The Gospel Media credit to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

What Blessings Come When We Humbled Ourselves?

“When you humbly trust Him and acknowledge His power and mercy, you can have the assurance that His commandments are for your good.”

“You are confident that you can do whatever the Lord requires of you if you rely on Him. You are also willing to trust His chosen servants and follow their counsel.”

“Humility will help you as you strive to be obedient, to work hard, and serve selflessly.”

The followings are the scriptures and passages that related to the blessings that we would receive when we humbled ourselves:

Alma 32:1-16

1 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and began to preach the word of God unto the people, entering into their synagogues, and into their houses; yea, and even they did preach the word in their streets.

2 And it came to pass that after much labour among them, they began to have success among the poor class of people; for behold, they were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel—

3 Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their synagogues to worship God, being esteemed as filthiness; therefore they were poor; yea, they were esteemed by their brethren as dross; therefore they were poor as to things of the world; and also they were poor in heart.

4 Now, as Alma was teaching and speaking unto the people upon the hill Onidah, there came a great multitude unto him, who were those of whom we have been speaking, of whom were poor in heart, because of their poverty as to the things of the world.

5 And they came unto Alma; and the one who was the foremost among them said unto him: Behold, what shall these my brethren do, for they are despised of all men because of their poverty, yea, and more especially by our priests; for they have cast us out of our synagogues which we have laboured abundantly to build with our own hands; and they have cast us out because of our exceeding poverty; and we have no place to worship our God; and behold, what shall we do?

6 And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word.

7 Therefore he did say no more to the other multitude; but he stretched forth his hand, and cried unto those whom he beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them:

8 I behold that ye are lowly in heart; and if so, blessed are ye.

9 Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?—for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God.

10 Behold I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?

11 And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week?

12 I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.

13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.

14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?

15 Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.

16 Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.

Humility prepares us to receive the word of God. Humility and a willingness to receive the word of God are essential in the process of receiving and strengthening a testimony because the humbling experience could lead us to repentance and salvation.

Alma also taught that choosing to be humble is better than being compelled to be humble.

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) described ways that we could humble ourselves and avoid the trials that sometimes accompany being compelled to be humble:

“We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are (see D&C 38:24; 81:5; 84:106).

“We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement (see Jacob 4:10; Helaman 15:3; D&C 63:55; 101:4–5; 108:1; 124:61, 84; 136:31; Proverbs 9:8).

“We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us (see 3 Nephi 13:11, 14; D&C 64:10).

“We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service (see Mosiah 2:16–17).

“We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others (see Alma 4:19; 31:5; 48:20).

“We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently.

“We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God (see D&C 58:43; Mosiah 27:25–26; Alma 5:7–14, 49).

“We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives (see 3 Nephi 11:11; 13:33; Moroni 10:32)” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 6; or Ensign, May 1989, 6–7).

 

Ether 12:27

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

If we come unto Jesus Christ, then he will show us our weakness. Some things we can do to come unto Jesus Christ include we can pray, fast, repent, study the scriptures, participate in temple worship, serve others, and seek to develop Christlike attributes.

The Lord gives us weaknesses to help us humble that we may draw upon His grace. If we humble ourselves and exercise faith in the Lord, then he will take weak things become strong unto us.

The application of the principle taught in Ether 12:27 as followings:

1. Recognize a weakness I feel I have
2. A way I can humble myself
3. A way I can exercise faith in Jesus Christ so I can receive His help, or grace, to overcome the weakness I have listed.

D&C 12:8

8 And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.

The characteristics the Lord require of those who want to assist in His work includes being humble, full of love, having faith, hope and charity and being temperate in all things. I can learn to developing all these characteristics in my life.

 

D&C 67:10

10 And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.

If we strip ourselves of jealousy and fear, humble ourselves, and continue in patience, we will be able to abide the presence of God.

 

D&C 112:10

10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

If we are humble, the Lord will lead us and give us answers to our prayers.

 

D&C 136:32-33

32 Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;

33 For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly.

If we humble ourselves and call upon God, then the Spirit will enlighten us.

 

Matthew 23:12

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Jesus taught the people that, if we seek to exalt ourselves above others, we will be abased. Abased means to be lowered or humiliated or to become less respected. Jesus also taught that, if we are humble and serve others, the Lord will exalt us. The phrase “shall be exalted” implies that the Lord will lift us up, help us become more like Him, and grant us exaltation in the celestial kingdom.

From this verse of scripture teach me that being humble can help me overcome hypocrisy and I need to try to serve others and do not seek recognition instead of the other way round would help me become more like Jesus Christ.

Thus, set a goal to serve daily would be a way how I can learn more about this attribute of Jesus Christ and write about these experience in the journal.

The Gospel Media credit to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

What Does It Mean to be Humble?

After I had identify the attribute I wish to develop, I did some research over the church website and Preach My Gospel manual. After much findings from the past few days, I quite surprise of the definition or my lack off and poor understanding of ‘Humility’ - the word itself.

“Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgement of my constant need for His divine help. To be humble is to recognize gratefully our dependence on the Lord – to understand that we have constant need for His support.”

No wonder the Lord wants me to learn this attribute, which He inspired Issac to tell me that. I have to admit that, most of the time I am not quite submissive to the will of the Lord. It can be seen through my calling as I do not obviously fulfilling what I had been called as the Relief Society President of the branch. Even though I prayed for my heart to be opened and learn to be more charitable to serve, but still, my progress was slow.

“The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar,” said Elder Neal A Maxwell (1926-2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “The many other things we ‘give’ … are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we ae really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!”

Having humility means that we present to our Heavenly Father and the Savior “a broken heart and a contrite spirit (3 Nephi 9:20). It is so true and that is when we use our agency to choose to submit to Heavenly Father and our Savior willingly.

There are some scripture references that I studied passages of the scripture that teach about what is humility and related general conferences by the prophets and apostles.

 

What does it means to be Humble?

2 Nephi 9:28-29

28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

The pit falls of learning with the wrong attitude Jacob said were dangers of thinking we are wise than a parent, our bishop or branch president, the prophet, or our Heavenly Father.

Trusting in our own learning lead individuals to distance ourselves from Jesus Christ. Thus, I need to be more obedient in listening to the counsel of God or the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

The following statement from President Gordon B. Hinckley, and underline the blessings that can come from learning:

“You face great challenges that lie ahead. You are moving into a world of fierce competition. You must get all of the education you can. The Lord has instructed us concerning the importance of education. It will qualify you for greater opportunities. It will equip you to do something worthwhile in the great world of opportunity that lies ahead. If you can go to college and that is your wish, then do it. If you have no desire to attend college, then go to a vocational or business school to sharpen your skills and increase your capacity”

(“Converts and Young Men,” Ensign, May 1997, 49–50).

 

Mosiah 4:11-12

11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

If we remember God’s greatness, humble ourselves, pray daily, and stand steadfastly in the faith, then we will be filled with God’s love, retain a remission of our sins, and grow in knowledge. If we humble ourselves before God and strive to develop Christlike Attributes, we can retain a remission of our sins.

It is important to understand and remember God’s power, goodness, and love because that I will always have a grateful heart for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for all that I am enjoying now. It reminds me of that I will have to rely on Them in my mortality journey here on earth no matter how hard and challenges that it may be.

 

Alma 5:26-29

26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?

28 Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.

29 Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless.

Alma gave the saints a spiritual cardiogram to evaluate the status of our spiritual well beings of the condition I would like to be in now. If the answers of each questions range from always, almost always, usually, sometimes and seldom, if ever, I can just put as the followings:

For verse 27: I can only say I sometimes keeping myself blameless before God.  If I was called to die at this time, within myself, that I have been only sometimes sufficiently humble. That my garment seldom, if ever been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ.

For verse 28, I sometimes stripped of pride.

For verse 29, I sometimes stripped of envy.

This exercise clearly is taking account of where I am in my personal conversion process and help me recognise what are the aspects of my live that may require repentance and efforts to improve.

 

Alma 26:12

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

As we prepare and humble ourselves, the Lord strengthens us and use us as an instrument in His hand to accomplished His work during our missions on earth.

 

Matthew 26:39

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Even though Jesus Christ asked for a different way to accomplish the Father’s purpose, He submitted His will to the Father’s will to accomplish the Atonement. I can learn to be submissive to my Father in Heaven about Jesus from His willingness to submit to Heavenly Father’s will even though it mean He would endure intense suffering and eventual death. 

“Humility is not a sign of weakness, timidity, or fear; It is a sign of spiritual strength. It is an indication that we know where our true strength lies. We can be both humble and fearless. We can be both humble and courageous.”

To be frank, repentance is the one that I seldom do. Issac was right in a way that I need to learn more about humble and humility.

The following statement by President Ezra Taft Benson that shows how people who have had a change of heart want to live:

“When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed. …

“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature. …

“Men [and women] changed for Christ will be captained by Christ. Like Paul they will be asking, ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?’ (Acts 9:6.) …

“Their will is swallowed up in His will. (See John 5:30.)

“They do always those things that please the Lord. (See John 8:29.)

“Not only would they die for the Lord, but more important they want to live for Him.

“Enter their homes, and the pictures on their walls, the books on their shelves, the music in the air, their words and acts reveal them as Christians.

“They stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places. (See Mosiah 18:9.)

“They have Christ on their minds, as they look unto Him in every thought. (See D&C 6:36.)

“They have Christ in their hearts as their affections are placed on Him forever. (See Alma 37:36.)

“Almost every week they partake of the sacrament and witness anew to their Eternal Father that they are willing to take upon them the name of His Son, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. (See Moro. 4:3.)”

(“Born of God,” Ensign, Nov. 1985, 5–7).

The Gospel Media credit to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

Humility?

After I had completed the Attribute Activity, obviously I am lacking in every one of the Christlike Attributes and still, I do not know which attribute to focus and work on.

I was discussing with Issac this Christlike Attributes Journal that I need to work on in the car during we went out to buy our dinner yesterday. There was something that happened after Alvin came back home. He was furious about we did not clean enough the home, I did not iron his working shirts, and angry that what were we doing the whole day. All in all, it was not a good day even though it was a Saturday.

I was so upset, during dinner Alvin talked about that he does not yet have a proper meal from morning till late evening. And when he came back and he saw all the things he needs to do in the house, then he was so pissed off. Alvin just looked into Issac’s eyes and said that even his girlfriend also would message him if he had already taken his lunch.

I poured out my frustration to both children after Alvin finished his dinner and went back to the bedroom, leaving the three of us at the dining table. I was eventually able to cool off and calm down my emotion when Annabelle said something about Heavenly Father in her teary eyes. I was sort of amazed that I was able to hear she was using the word ‘Heavenly Father’ from her mouth to console me!

After both children and I had our dinner and competed for our household chores of washing dishes, vacuuming, and wiping the floor, I asked Issac a question about what Christlike Attribute that I should choose to develop further in my Institute project.

Issac suggested I go for ‘Humility’.

I was like, “Why? Why Humility? Am I not humble enough? Especially in front of your dad? I am so ‘small’ and ‘tiny’ and I consider myself being a humble person for my whole life! And now want me to learn ‘Humility’?”

Issac replied, “No, I do not mean that you do not have it but I think you can learn more to be better in it. If you are more humble, humility will help you to be obedient, work more diligently, and be more charitable.”

I was quiet and think about what my son had told me about this. May be there is true and reasons why Issac asked me to do so. I reflect back. I indeed seldom pray and do reflections on my wrong doings nowadays.

Issac is growing to be more mature and glowing. I feel Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have groom Issac to be my light amid frustrations and sadness, to guide me spiritually. I love my priesthood holder, even though he is only an Aaronic priesthood holder. I know that God sends him to me to make me a better version of myself!

The Gospel Media credit to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

Institute Project: Christlike Attributes Journal

I have registered for Brother Brian Chan’s Institute class of Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel (REL 250) this semester. It is one of the four Cornerstone Courses of the Institute.

Unlike last semester, we will have a project for this 14 weeks study – Christlike Attributes Journal. We are asked to make at least one entry per week in a personal journal about our deliberate efforts to develop Christlike attributes. We will not be required to turn in our journal. Our journal can be keep anywhere that we comfortable. It can be a word document, Google Doc, a Notebook, Personal blog or even an App on our phone.

We can choose to work on one attribute for the entire duration of the course, or we may select select a number of different attributes. However, we are asked to focus on one attribute at a time, and spending at least a week on each one.

Each week, we will be asked in the Report Your Progress quiz if we have added an entry to our Christlike Attributes Journal. And, in each entry we are asked to explore one or both of the following questions:

• What experiences did you have as you developed your specific Christlike attribute?
• When did you realize that you did not act in a manner consistent with your specific Christlike attribute? What might you have done differently?

At the end of the course, instead of turning in our journal, we will submit to our teacher a brief writing assignment in which we describe what we have learned from keeping this journal.

I think that it is fair enough and sounds just right to have this project because this course we study about Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father invited us to ‘Hear Him’ when He introduce Jesus as His Son. Jesus Christ invites us to ‘Follow Him’.

The Savior is our perfect example and instructed us to become as He is in 3 Nephi 27:27, “… what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” his Atonement enables us to become more like Him and Heavenly Father.

We can accept the invitation to follow Jesus Christ by becoming like Him. An important part of becoming like Jesus Christ is to learn about how He lived, behaved, and taught. One of the way is to develop His attributes.

So, now I need to choose which attribute I would like to work on? It is kind of difficult to choose because there are so many of Christlike Attributes and I know that I am very poor in every each of them!

After much researches done on the Church website and resources, I decided to use Chapter 6 in “Preach My Gospel” as a guide to further study and create a plan to more fully develop one Christlike attribute that I choose.

First of all, the first step is to complete the Attribute Activity and identify the attribute I most need or want to develop.

The Attribute Activity sheet credit to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org.