"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
Yesterday I was reprimanded for not showing up for a meeting I was supposed to be at. I just forgot--I got busy working on something else, and completely forgot to go. I hate being chastised. It makes me feel very small. Insignificant, incompetent, miserable. When I read this scripture about how the Savior bore the "chastisement of our peace," I wasn't sure exactly what that meant, but I know what chastisement is.
From Merriam-Webster: 1. To inflict punishment on (as by whipping). 2. To censure severely.
If "chastisement" refers to rebuking/scolding/chiding from government officials or the people who condemned Him to death, I wonder what kind of sting it had--if it was anything like that insignificant, incompetent, miserable feeling I get. I don't know if it could have been, because He hadn't done anything wrong, so the sting of guilt couldn't have been there for Him. But He was punished as if He had done something wrong, and it's a particular kind of belittled feeling to be punished.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Missionary Work
In my Book of Mormon reading for today, I came across the scripture that I chose for my missionary plaque before I went on my mission almost 5 years ago. (In our Church, local Church units often hang a plaque with the missionary's picture, favorite scripture, and where they're serving, just so members of the congregation can remember the person).
It's not necessarily my favorite scripture--it's just one about missionary work. The Savior is teaching some of his disciples about some of the "signs of the times."
"Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name. Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance. And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward." (3 Nephi 21:27-29)
Basically, the Savior prophecies that all those who were "scattered" historically--this refers to both a literal scattering (ie. when people were brought/sold/conquered/etc. out of Israel) and a spiritual scattering, too (ie. people becoming separated from their religion--as I understand, this was mainly a consequence of being physically scattered). Anyway, I'm no history buff. But that's basically what I understand about what happened. The important thing is, there's been a promised "gathering." People will go out from all nations--missionaries--and Heavenly Father will prepare the way for them so His children can hear about the gospel. I was a missionary once. I went to Puerto Rico and Aruba and Curacao for 18 months, and although I didn't often think of it this way, I was an active participant in the gathering. I worked non-stop to help people accept Jesus Christ, live His commandments, and be able to be gathered home to Him someday.
I'm not a full-time missionary anymore. But I believe Heavenly Father can use any of us to prepare the way for His children to be gathered in. What are some thoughts you have about the gathering? What evidence do you have that it is taking place? What part do you think we should play as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
It's not necessarily my favorite scripture--it's just one about missionary work. The Savior is teaching some of his disciples about some of the "signs of the times."
"Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name. Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance. And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward." (3 Nephi 21:27-29)
Basically, the Savior prophecies that all those who were "scattered" historically--this refers to both a literal scattering (ie. when people were brought/sold/conquered/etc. out of Israel) and a spiritual scattering, too (ie. people becoming separated from their religion--as I understand, this was mainly a consequence of being physically scattered). Anyway, I'm no history buff. But that's basically what I understand about what happened. The important thing is, there's been a promised "gathering." People will go out from all nations--missionaries--and Heavenly Father will prepare the way for them so His children can hear about the gospel. I was a missionary once. I went to Puerto Rico and Aruba and Curacao for 18 months, and although I didn't often think of it this way, I was an active participant in the gathering. I worked non-stop to help people accept Jesus Christ, live His commandments, and be able to be gathered home to Him someday.
I'm not a full-time missionary anymore. But I believe Heavenly Father can use any of us to prepare the way for His children to be gathered in. What are some thoughts you have about the gathering? What evidence do you have that it is taking place? What part do you think we should play as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 2, 2011
D&C 6:34 Therefore fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
2 Nephi 31:20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
In Preach My Gospel, hope is "an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. It is believing and expecting that something will occur. When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good. Hope helps you conquer discouragement. the scriptures often describe hope in Jesus Christ as the assurance that you will inherit eternal life the celestial kingdom."
I know I have reason to hope. I've been through something really hard lately--something that almost causes me to feel complete despair and hopelessness. But I have to trust in my Heavenly Father. In His time, He will answer my prayers and fulfill the promises I've been given. I have to believe that.
2 Nephi 31:20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
In Preach My Gospel, hope is "an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. It is believing and expecting that something will occur. When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good. Hope helps you conquer discouragement. the scriptures often describe hope in Jesus Christ as the assurance that you will inherit eternal life the celestial kingdom."
I know I have reason to hope. I've been through something really hard lately--something that almost causes me to feel complete despair and hopelessness. But I have to trust in my Heavenly Father. In His time, He will answer my prayers and fulfill the promises I've been given. I have to believe that.
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