….We Seek After These Things!

Note, this is a talk that I gave a year ago last June. I felt the need to post it, but please do not Plagiarize this. It is near and dear to my heart, and I needed to remind myself what I can do.
Tanya

Approximately 2,000 years ago an event that ushered in a change of world history occurred. Foreordained in Councils long before the Earth was created and man placed in the Garden of Eden, Jesus Christ was to become our Savior and redeemer to overcome the sorrow, pain and death of this life. Upon being cast out of the Garden of Eden, Adam built an alter to offer sacrifice. In Moses 5:6-8 we read

6 And after many days an aangel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer bsacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the aname• of the Son, and thou shalt brepent• and ccall upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.

We must, as Adam, do all things in the name of the Son; this is the focus of living a Christ Centered Life.

Living a Christ Centered Life is more than living a Christ like life. I believe that anyone is capable of living a Christ like life, no matter their knowledge of the gospel. It is a gift of the Light of Christ to be able to give charitably, to sacrifice, and to do well to those around them. Living a Christ Centered life is to dedicate ones deeds, sacrifices, gifts, and abilities to the Savior who has paid the price for our redemption and ultimately to our Father in Heaven. It is more than personal and family prayers, scripture study, church attendance, paying tithes and offerings, and living the commandments given to us by God. It requires a change of thought, a motivation and purpose in our daily living.

2 Nep 25:26 states

26 And we atalk• of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we bprophesy• of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our cchildren may know to what source they may look for a dremission of their sins

First we talk of Christ.

I believe this refers to the teaching of the role of the Savior in our life and what he did, will do, and can do for us. It is teaching how to recognize the Savior in our everyday activities. It includes family home evening, scripture study as a family, and other opportunities to teach. Often these discussions occur in the car and center on how all things typify of Christ. Some of these are the obvious, the Sun rising in the East, the moon at night, the stars in the sky, the North Star constant and sure, the orbits of the planets, the rise and fall of the tides. Others take the teaching and guidance of the Holy Ghost to understand, generally touching upon what we are familiar with.

For example I have been taught how to work of a surgeon is like forgiveness in removing our sins to be remembered no more, it is not painless or comfortable but repentance and forgiveness brings healing to the soul.

Another example occurred a few years ago when I happened to have the opportunity to rehearse a piece of music by Rimsky- Korsakov call ‘The Russian Easter Overture” At first it was overwhelming to my ears, trying to absorb all that was going on in each section of the orchestra, but gradually as I heard the music work together the Spirit taught me how the music typified the last week of the Saviors life, from his entry into Jerusalem, the last supper, his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and trails, the crucifixion, and lastly the glorious resurrection and promise of his triumphal return at His Second Coming. This was a very profound moment for me as I was taught sacred truths composed in a marvelous piece of music.

As we learn to teach of Christ we learn to rejoice in Christ. It seems difficult to rejoice when trials seem to overwhelm and pain consumes the Heart. In the Wonderworks presentation of the beloved story by L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, Anne bemoans to Marilla that she is “in the depths of despair” and asks Marilla if she has ever been in despair? Marilla replies “I’ve never been in the depths of Despair, to do so is to turn your back on God.” Marilla understands that God is the source of our happiness and eventual joy, and to forget that no matter the circumstance despair is not an option. I believe that true rejoicing in Christ comes at those times when life seems to bleakest, when sorrow is overwhelming and the faith we have is refined by the fire of life, we can hold on to the faith and hope that Christ has and can overcome all. That he understands all that we feel. We can become as Alma, rejoicing in the Power of the Atonement, and resurrection. We can rejoice as Ammon in the strength given us to do what is asked. When we rejoice in Christ we are filled with gratitude for all the we have been given. As we rejoice our testimonies increase in faith, hope, and knowledge.

Michael and I when we moved to Wisconsin were blessed by a favor of people we did not know at the time. The only payment asked was to pass it on. This is what the Savior asks of us, pass it on, pass on what we know, and spread his love.

This leads to us Prophesy of Christ, or our testifying of Him to those around us. As we learn to live a Christ Centered life our very testimonies increase, our capacity to learn enlarges. Our very actions become an offering in His name, and our lives become dedicated to serving him. Our testimonies become more than the words spoken at the pulpit, more than the lessons we teach. We learn to do as Nephi suggests, “to teach the right way, that Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him and worship him with all your might, mind and strength and your whole soul.

I believe as we work on living a Christ Centered life attitudes and desires change, things that were once appealing become offensive and shallow. Things or ideas that seem “good” to the natural man become unappetizing. The good and desirable fruit is nurtured.
Find ways to testify of your knowledge to those you meet.

There are ways to aid this process in the home. This seems simple but when implemented can bring the Spirit to aid in this quest.

1) Place pictures of the Savior in as many rooms as possible in the home. Place them in points of potential temptation to remind you to keep the World out, over the TV, by the computer, etc. Each child should have their own picture of the Savior in their room.

2) Listen to good uplifting music. Avoid music with droning beats and pay attention to lyrics. There are many varieties of good music. Pay attention to how you feel with any media you are exposed to, irritability, impatience, annoyance, anger, frustration, sadness and depression can all be influenced by media of all kinds. Avoid them and seek that which uplifts, calms, and brings inner joy.

3) Be grateful for all you are given. Write them down, and do it often. Think hard and deep. I challenged the RS a few months ago, for 7 days, write down 100 things you are grateful for each day, the only rule is you can’t duplicate what has already been written. By doing this you will be surprised at the many things you truly are grateful for that are not thought about on a daily basis.

4) Look for things to remind you of the Savior. An example of this, for me is a goal to make Christmas more Christ Centered. This comes tin many ways, from having books, and ornaments and decorations reminding us of the Gift of the Savior, I also look for wrapping paper that celebrates the true meaning of the holiday.

5) Do all things we should to remain close to the Spirit. I don’t think I need to say them, the primary children know them by heart.

6) There are many things that can be done to aid in living a Christ Centered Life. I’m sure that the talents and gifts given to us individually can be adapted for your specific needs and abilities. As you do so your life will be blessed, peace can be granted, and dedication to the service of God will be nurtured.