Regardless of what I feel are my personal shortcomings, I was asked to teach the lesson for today. I spent all week reading and re-reading the conference talk, and reviewing the scriptures that would serve as the basis for my message. Not surprisingly, I immediately realized that the message could have been written just for me. It might as well have said in big bold letters, "Jennifer, this message is for you."
The title of lesson is, " the greatest commandment" and is centered around Jesus' response to the question from the holy men asking which is the most important commandment. Jesus answered them saying,
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:36-40).
I love my Heavenly Father and do live my life in a way that I hope shows my love. One of my favorite things about the church is that we believe very strongly that it is by our own actions and good deeds that we earn our way into the celestial kingdom. I have spoken many times about how important it is to me that my family is together forever, and I know that if I want to be with my family forever, I have to use my time here on earth to make that possible. I need to lead by example, share my faith, and live my life by the commandments and plan of happiness.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
(John 14: 21)
But it is much more than simply being obedient, the remainder of the talk focused on the following scripture:
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
(John 21:15-17)
I am a terrible member missionary, I am a coward and afraid to share my beliefs because I don't want to offend anyone, or come up short. But as has been shared in this lesson, I can't just say that it makes me uncomfortable and be done, I have to push beyond my fear and do what is right. So, my answer is this blog. I am sharing my life experiences and how my faith is a key component of every aspect of my life. My hope is that in some small way my sharing will help others find their faith and their voice, but most of all I hope that I can feed the spirits of my own children and help them to learn and grow in the gospel.
Just in case you would like more here is the video of the talk that led to my lesson:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P7HcuoTTPIs
