One Line Sermons

In our class, as we study each unit, we search for "One Line Sermons." These are basically short scriptures or parts of scriptures that have meaning in our lives. I'd like to share the ones I've been studying. The first one is D&C 38:30 "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." I know we hear this scripture a lot. I think of being prepared in spiritual aspects as well as temporal and physical aspects. If we are out of debt and have our food storage stocked up, then if we have financial troubles, we will be better equiped to make it through. If we take care of our bodies by following the Word of Wisdom and exercising, then if an illness comes upon us, our bodies will be better equiped to heal up more quickly and fight off disease. If we prepare our homes and families for natural disasters, then if something happens we will be better equiped to protect our families. I think of winter blizzards in particular here in Idaho. We have had to use a propane heater at our house before because our propane ran out and the gas company couldn't get here. I was very grateful that we had that. I also worry about house fires ever since my parents had one. We now have fire ladders in our upstairs bedrooms and have fire drills with our kids so they know how to use them. I hope we never have to use them, but feel better knowing we have a plan in place. On the spiritual side of things, we must be keeping our covenants and following the commandments. Then when tough times come, we will be more deserving of help from our Father in Heaven. For me, I feel like family prayer and scripture study is a daily requirement before we send our kids off to school and we all go our different directions. When we have done these things, I feel like I have helped our family put on our "armor of God" before we face the world. It helps me feel more prepared to to face the day and I hope my kids feel the same. Ultimately, we want to be prepared to meet our Savior when our time on earth is through. We must study the scriptures, repent and get to know our Savior so that we will know Him and how to be more like Him. Then we shall not fear the day we meet Him.

The next One Line Sermon I found was D&C 31:11 "it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go." It's important to remember that we have the Comforter to guide us in life. I think sometimes, we get so busy going about our daily routines that we forget to seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost and we rely on ourselves when making decisions. I know that when I have a big decision to make that I take it to the Lord and seek guidance from the Holy Ghost. What about the not so big decisions? What about the daily promptings from the Comforter? I know that sometimes I will have a thought come in to my mind of something I should do, or someone I should call or visit. Sometimes I listen and act upon those impressions and can see why I was supposed to. Other times, I ignore those promptings and later can see why I should have listened and acted. I know that we are the Lord's instruments here on earth and that we must listen to the promptings we receive and act upon them in order to be effective. I've been grateful in my life when someone has listened to a prompting that has been an answer to my prayers. I will try to be better at listening and acting upon impressions that I receive.

The third One Line Sermon I found was D&C 29: 5 "Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst." Sometimes life gets hard and we can get frustrated with things. I think it's important to remember that our Father in Heaven wants us to be happy. That's why he sent his son for us. He didn't send us to earth and expect us to be miserable. Even when things get tough, we can still find happiness. Trials are how we grow and learn. They are to be expected. It all depends on how we react to the things that come our way. I'm always touched when I see someone who has been through a tough trial who keeps their spirits high and has a good outlook on things. They are those people who you know have turned to the Lord for help and comfort in tough times. I love to be around optimistic people. It's contagious and it spreads quickly. It's hard to be around someone who is always down and seems to never be able to find happiness, no matter what the situation. I think having a positive attitude and being happy attracts more happiness into our lives! That's what our Savior and our Father in Heaven want for us. I'm going to remember this scripture when I start feeling overwhelmed.