SUNDAY SCRIBBLINGS

"We dont need to think everlastingly about God our Eternal Father as being an omnipotent, almighty, glorified person...We might do better to think of God our Father as just that-as a father...as a personal being whose face we have seen and in whose household we have dwelt, whose voice we have heard, whose teachings we have learned before ever we were born into this life."
-Elder Bruce R. McConkie

Im embarrassed to realize how often I have to hear something over and over again in order to have it sink into my thick skull. I guess this is yet another reason why our church isnt afraid of repetition!! My 'natural man' must hear something time after time it seems.
Starting with a Stake Conference last week, and in my reading since then, I have been hearing a common note. My personal message for the week: God judges us by our acts and by the intentions of our heart. Or as Joseph F. Smith said, "God does not judge men as we do (we humans tend to be harsh and critical of others faults)nor look upon them in the same light that we do. He (God) knows our imperfections-all the causes, the 'whys and wherefores' are made manifest unto Him. He judges us by our acts and the intents of our hearts. His judgements will be true, just and righteous; ours are obscured by the imperfection of man."
I need no reminding of just how imperfect I am-but I am grateful for the reminder of how 'just' our Heavenly Father is!!
So here I am- back to my common theme; believing that God is not a jealous God, or a being who takes delight in dishing out punishments to those of us who blow it!! On the contrary, I truly do believe that God is compassionate and understands and wants to help us. He must be extraordinarily patient and completely forgiving, or in other words, He is a perfect being!!
In Stake Conference we learned (and this time I HEARD) about the importance of love. That love just may be the supreme objective in this life. It all begins and ends with love. Unconditional love.
We mormons are bracing for an onslaught of persecution. (and to think that we had hoped it was all over and done with by our ancestors/pioneers!!) We (individually) are going to have to take a stand, a strong, unapologetic stand for what we know to be true and right. Our greatest influence will come individually as we interact with our neighbors and community. We can reflect our peace of mind and happiness out into the world in this way. We will have to do our very best at articulating to those around us what we know, what we believe!! We will have to be strong, and firm, and confident in our 'differentness" from the world. And do it with a smile and in love-not with fear and trembling.
We will do well in remembering what President Kimball said years ago: "To be a righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times."

WHAT I THINK I KNOW:
Our arms should be an extension of His arms!!!
Just as votes in an election can make a difference, we too can make a difference in this troubled time!! I shall not fear!! (So far!!)