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I'm going to be talking about the talk, given by Elder Donald L. Hallstorm. which is titled "Converted to His Gospel through His Church"
The first words to his talk reads
"I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sometimes we use the term gospel and Church interchangeably, but they are not the same. They are, however, exquisitely interconnected, and we need both."
I would recommend you to go read or watch his talk.
Later in his talk he says "Some have come to think of activity in the Church as the ultimate goal. Therein lies a danger. It is possible to be active in the Church and less active in the gospel. Let me stress: activity in the Church is a highly desirable goal; however, it is insufficient. Activity in the Church is an outward indication of our spiritual desire. If we attend our meetings, hold and fulfill Church responsibilities, and serve others, it is publicly observed.
By contrast, the things of the gospel are usually less visible and more difficult to measure, but they are of greater eternal importance. For example, how much faith do we really have? How repentant are we? How meaningful are the ordinances in our lives? How focused are we on our covenants?
I repeat: we need the gospel and the Church. In fact, the purpose of the Church is to help us live the gospel. We often wonder: How can someone be fully active in the Church as a youth and then not be when they are older? How can an adult who has regularly attended and served stop coming? How can a person who was disappointed by a leader or another member allow that to end their Church participation? Perhaps the reason is they were not sufficiently converted to the gospel—the things of eternity.
That is so true, because.. for awhile now, I was active in the church, but not the Gospel. It has been a long time since I prayed, or read my scriptures. I was going to church every week, going to FHE (Family Home Evening) going to YSA activities. I was basically going through the motions. in 2014 I would say I only prayed a handful of times, if not less. read about the same amount of times as well.
Even though, I wasn't reading or praying regularly I still had a testimony of the Book of Mormon, because I've read it all the way through for the first time. This was back in 2011, you can read that blog post right here
I also have a testimony in prayer, which also took place in 2011, for two experiences I had in my life. You can read about one of my experiences of prayer here, I haven't shared the second one yet.
After gaining those testimonies the first time in my life, I couldn't later on, ignore them, even when I stopped praying and reading, my testimonies were low, but I could not forget those memories, the feelings, my faith was still there, but I was not exercising it, I was not doing the things that I should of been doing. after not praying and reading on a regular basis. you just forget about reading, praying, got to the point when I didn't even want to pray, because of the mistakes I have made, in the talk from Dieter F. Uchtdorf which is titled "You Matter To Him" he states
"Another way Satan deceives is through discouragement. He attempts to focus our sight on our own insignificance until we begin to doubt that we have much worth. He tells us that we are too small for anyone to take notice, that we are forgotten—especially by God."
My relationship with my Heavenly Father was like this. You're at some sort of activity, you meet someone, talk to the person, add the person on Facebook and after awhile, you just stop talking. You still remember the person, because you see their posts on Facebook, but the communicate is gone. You might go to church, get home and see you have a message from the person, you look at it, but don't reply back, in other words, you might go to church, feel the spirit during a talk or a lesson, it could be about prayer, and how we need to pray daily. But you don't act on it, you don't reply back. Sometimes you wish you could just send the person a message, but you don't know what to say, don't want to tell the person your mistakes. Then one day, you want to change, you start reading again, before even praying... the next day, still read... by the third or fourth day, you finally type out a message and hit enter.. in other words. You pray.
Alma 32 talks about planting a seed and that you need to nourish it, pray, read scriptures, exercising your faith.
Alma 32:38 and 39.
" 38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof."
I've been praying and reading for a couple of weeks, I'm in 2nd Nephi right now. it's never to late to pluck the old seed, and plant a new seed. Heavenly Father is always here for us, His arms are open wide, He love us, even when we feel that we've made to many mistakes.
This is a poem, which I wrote sometime ago.. it's about the Atonement. it's a reverse poem, so you read it normal, then re-read it from the bottom back to the top.
Don't worry on the past
Our lives are not unsurpassed
Become what you want to be
Don't focus on former times, start anew be free.
The grasps of Satan are tight
When you feel like giving up, he laughs in delight
Satan makes you feel abandoned, and that no one understands.
try searching for a helping hand..
Use Christ's Atonement; he died for you and me
You'll finally be free.
He knows the pains
He'll break the chains
Blood dripped from every pore
He loves us before and evermore.
He smiles when we use his Atonement
In this moment, use His Atonement.
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Endure to the end, stay strong in the Gospel and you won't regret it
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