Alma 37 and the spiritual/temporal

Kersten and I must be on the same wavelength because I have been having the same thoughts and learning about the connectedness of spiritual and physical and how my bridling and control over one influences the other so much. I have been thinking about it through the view of concepts from Alma 37:6,33,37,40-47.
The thoughts start with, "....by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" then leads me to, "...teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ." From there I find, "counsel with the Lord in all they doings and he will driect thee for good..." This leads me to the concept of a temporal Liahona in the time of Lehi (vs. 40-47) and the comparison of the words of Christ being the same type of "liahona" for Helaman and for us in our day. Verse 41 takes us back to the small and simple means idea and ties all those together by showing that spiritual and temporal ARE connected, that the words of Christ are our liahona today and that our faith is required for the liahona to work.
I end my jumble of thoughts with exerpts from Alma 37: 40-47: "And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper, even so it is with things which are spiritual. For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass.....do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so it was with our fathers....if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever."

The Spiritual and the Physical

Lately I have noticed something that I should have known a long time ago. That my spiritual being is inseparably connected to my physical being. I have had my ups and downs with eating healthy and exercising...and happily...I've been on an upswing this month. The contrast between my ups and downs has made me notice something. I am finally realizing after all these years...that when I eat healthy and exercise, I gain more control over my physical body...which translates directly into more control over my spirit. I never noticed that before! When I am controlling my physical body to stay healthy, all of a sudden I have a stronger spirit or a stronger 'will' to do the spiritual things that I need to do as a mother, wife, and daughter of God. I desire to read my scriptures and attend the temple more...I have more patience and more power to do the things I need to in motherhood...I have more strength to serve others. I love feeling this way!

I wish I would have figured that out sooner. I know I would have been far less overwhelmed as a young mother. Oh well...older but wiser.....

The Face of a Prophet

The scriptures teach us both directly and indirectly the power of a prophet in dispersing the darkness Satan sends to blind our eyes. The fifth chapter of Helaman recounts the story of Nephi and Lehi, who were bound in prison, awaiting their execution. When the Lamanites came to take their lives, they were "encircled about with a pillar of fire." At the same time, the Lamanites "were overshadowed with a cloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them." (Helaman 5: 24, 28.) This cloud of darkness represents their spiritual state. The Lord was showing them an outward manifestation of their spiritual state. We are told that "they could not flee because of the cloud of darkness." (Helaman 5:34.) There was, however, something powerful enough to penetrate the darkness and show them the way.

"Aminadab turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly." Aminadab cried to the others trapped in the darkness, encouraging them to look to the one source of light visible to them. "And behold, there was power given unto them that they did turn and look; and they did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi." (Helaman 5: 36-37.)

When the adversary sends his clouds of darkness, his temptations, his deceptions and deceits, we need only look to the faces of the prophets. Their light is strong enough to penetrate whatever clouds may come our way. But just as the Lamanites had to turn and look, so we must turn and look. The light is there if we desire it. If we seek it, wonderful promises are offered.

Hold On The Light Will Come

A few months ago I found myself sitting at my computer in complete dispair. I had been doing some journaling about my fears for a loved one. He had wandered far from the fold.I was beginning to believe Satan's lie's that he would never find his way back. I was trying to imagine what my life would be like without him in it. All I had left were my pleading cries to my Heavenly Father.

Then I found myself here at Peaceable Walk reading Abby's blog on July 10th about our prayers being heard. I remember how the words pearced my heart.

"Somewhere out there is someone who desperately needs to know that their prayers are heard and will be answered."

I had never read this blog before, I don't even know how I arrived at this site. What I do know is , it wasn't an accident. I know that night I received an answer to my prayers.


Sometimes we just have to HOLD ON.........

I wanted to share this with you today because for these past few weeks I have had such a peace about this situation. I just knew that my prayers were being heard. It was during this time that my loved ones life was completely shattered. He had found himself completely alone. I knew things were really, really bad in his life but I was at peace. I just knew everything was going to be alright. I am not saying that I did nothing. What I did was, read my scriptures, fast, pray, and journal about all the little things that my Heavenly Father was teaching me during that time.

And today, I am witnessing a miracle. A few weeks ago I was trying to prepare myself for a life without this person in it. Today I received an e-mail photo of him in a hospital room witnessing the miracle of birth as his sister brings a new life into this world.He was in a room filled with loved ones who had also missed him dearly.

He truly was lost but now he is found.

What I want to share with you is this. I know that there are moments for each of us when all around us is dark despair. It is as if we have fallen into a deep, dark hole and we can't find our way out. It is during those moments that we think we will never see the light again but if we just hold on the light will come. Sometimes the only thing we can do is HOLD ON. It is during these moments that I hear the voice of my Heavenly Father whisper softly in my ear, "Be still, and know that I am God." So if today you are that person that desperately needs to know that your prayers are heard I hope you will know that the light will come. Just hold on.