John, I have thought a lot about your comments. While I haven't been on the list as long as others, I do sense that your heart is in the right place. I don't know if you have ever read 'First Things First' by Covey, but the book has given me new insights into the impact I allowed other people to have in my emotional wellbeing. I don't have it in front of me but he told the story of the Jewish doctor during the Holocaust that had more 'freedom' than his captors. Good story because it gave me a glimpse of what it means to act rather than be acted upon. I continue to make progress in blocking other's actions from impacting my happiness. Just a thought.
What I think you seek is the same thing that King Benjamin was able to give the people described in Mosiah. As you may recall from Mosiah 5:2, they had 'no more disposition to do evil.' That was a result of receiving a remission of their sins (Mosial 4:3). Their joy was immeasurable and they experience a mighty change in their hearts. Ronn mentioned it in his response and it is the same thing that Enos sought. In 2 Nephi 31:17 we see that a remission of our sins comes by fire and by the Holy Ghost. It took Enos a day and well into the night to receive his. It takes a struggle on our parts to do the same. It is sad that this is not stressed not perhaps even understood in the church today. I have faith that if we prepare ourselves and come unto the Lord, he will baptize us with fire and with the Holy Ghost (see 3 Nephi 12:1). I can attest to the fact that this is real and achievable. This baptism described raises your spirit out of the temporal world and fill your heart with peace and joy beyond description. I don't know if you have experienced it but it is also, as King Benjamin taught, required of us to 'retain a remission of our sins' (Mosiah 4:11-14). Joseph Smith had to follow this path (see D&C 20:5-6)in order to regain is spiritual sight. We are offered the same opportunity. Where ever we are on the path (2 Nephi 31:18) the offer is there for the taking. Noel > -----Original Message----- > From: John W. Redelfs [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2003 5:24 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [ZION] The Stupidity of Other People > > > "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all > mysteries, and > all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove > mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." (1 Cor. 13:2) > > In 1968 when I made my final, irrevocable decision to keep > the commandments > with all my might for the rest of my mortal days, I set for myself a > goal. I determined to become a sweet person, kind, gentle, > considerate, > thoughtful, empathetic, and charitable. And over the last > 35 years I have > made negligible progress if any. What am I doing wrong? > > Oh, I have made great progress with my checklist. I don't smoke any > more. I don't use tea, coffee, or alcohol. I pay my > tithing. I attend my > meetings, do a lot of my home teaching, do missionary work, > work on my > family history, attend the temple, have family home evening, > study the > scriptures most days, have family prayer, and so forth. I'm > doing great > with the checklist. But am I actually a kinder, more charitable > person? Most of the time, it doesn't seem that way to me. > > I am appalled by the stupidity of Other People. I have > almost no sympathy > for inactive members who break their promises to the Lord and > then cry when > their lives end up in the sewer. I am angry with the > dissidents and other > Signaturi who enjoy the benefits of Church membership while > biting the hand > that feeds them. Mormon bashers in and of the Church disgust me, > especially those who wallow in Digging for Dirt Church > history. I think > that people who reject the message of the gospel from our > missionaries are > brain dead losers. I find laughable the predicament of > faithful sisters > who have faithlessly married nonmembers. I know that in most > cases their > loser husbands are going to just break their hearts, and what > is worse, > they asked for it when they violated prophetic counsel by > marrying outside > the Church. > > What is the matter with me? How do I get a better attitude? > When will I > become a charitable person? If 35 years isn't enough, how > long is it going > to take? The Apostle Paul made it clear in 1 Corinthians 13 that the > checklist isn't going to win me the prize. Exaltation is not > down the road > for me if I don't have charity. But how do I get some? > > > John W. Redelfs [EMAIL PROTECTED] ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// --^---------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html --^----------------------------------------------------------------
