How can we apply Paul’s counsel in Philippians 4:8? (See also Articles of Faith 1:13.) How are we blessed when we follow this admonition?
What does it mean to be “grounded and settled” in the gospel? (See Colossians 1:23.) What causes some people to be “moved away from the hope of the gospel”? (Colossians 1:23). What can you do to strengthen your testimony?
Paul repeatedly emphasized the importance of being thankful (Colossians 2:7; 3:15, 17). Why is it important to be thankful? How can you show gratitude to Heavenly Father and the Savior?
4 comments:
I remember as a youth wondering what the "admonition of Paul" was in the 13th Article of Faith. Surprise! Here it is!
I do have to say, this scripture and Article of Faith run through my mind frequently. I find the older I get, the more I am willing to judge my entertainment choices by this standard. I don't always choose things that fit nicely within the guidelines, but I am getting better as I get older.
I love that this is the youth theme this year. I think of my daughters and sons and just want so much for them to seek truth and represent goodness in this world. One of the ways we have tried to encourage that is to teach modesty from the very first days of their life. My girls have always dressed in a way that they could while wearing garments -- and my boys have, too, for that matter. We don't allow them to run around shirtless and our girls don't wear shorty shorts or tanktops, etc. I know every family is different and that this isn't one of the "battles" some parents choose to pick at young ages. I have no problem with that. I have found that for my children, though, it has been a really effective method for teaching virtue and modesty. They really don't question our rules and they don't have a desire to dress any way other than the way they do now. I'm really grateful for that -- especially with one of my daughters in particular. She would have a difficult time changing from one standard to the other, so it's so great that she has had the same standard her whole life.
Just one small way we're trying to "seek after these things."
What about you?
Hey, just a thought for y'all. I like to keep a scripture journal while I'm studying so that I have my own sort of "small plates" like Nephi. I was trying to figure out how to do both that and comment here on the blog.
I don't know if any of you have the same struggle going on.
If you do, here's a solution I came up with for myself --
I opened and saved a Word Document titled "Book of Mormon Notes," as well as one called, "New Testament Notes." I imagine I'll open one called "General Conference Notes" for our study of those talks.
No I can just copy and paste the comments I leave here into my "... Notes" documents and have both records.
A drawback is that it isn't in my own handwriting, but I figure that's small. As time goes by I can print those documents and tape them into my study journal.
Just a solution to a dilemma I was facing -- maybe it will be helpful to you.
Kyle and I have always discussed seeking after good things since we were dating. He inscribed a ring for me that he made with the scripture D&C 88:40. It says, "For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light...." When I think about what this meant to us when we were engaged, it makes me think of what it will mean to my children. They will learn the importance of seeking out good things first from us as parents in our home. They will know what wisdom, intelligence, truth, virtue and light are and they can find that in a future companion and discern when it is lacking. What a great gift to give your child.
With being thankful, I think the benefit of acknowledging and being thankful is just as Paul said in 3:15 about letting the peace of God rule in our hearts. I feel that when I am expressing gratitude, the peace of God causes my heart to swell with thanksgiving; I feel so much better about life now and in the future--which definitely brings the peace of God near.
We had an instance with our boys saying surprisingly un-good things the same afternoon, and so we started learning the 13th article of faith, which is so similar to Phil 4:8. I just love those words.
Being grounded in the gospel to me means basing my testimony on the scriptures and Jesus Christ. I've got a couple friends who spent a lot of time on "Mormon" blogs instead of the scriptures. One has totally lost her testimony. The other is wavering. I think that when the majoriy of ones gospel study time is spent outside the scriptures, it can open the door to moving one away from the hope of the gospel. Don't you think?
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