Day 1 of #100daysofJesus - Simeon at the Temple

I have a friend who recently completed a #100daysoflearning challenge in data science. Inspired by her endeavor, and by what I felt in #GeneralConference this weekend, I am going to start my own #100daysofJesus challenge to see what I can learn.

DAY 1 of #100daysofJesus

As a devout Jew, Simeon waited his entire life for the Messiah to come redeem His people. A spiritual experience revealed to Simeon that he would see the Messiah before tasting of death, and so he waited.

I picture him waking each morning hoping that special day had finally arrived. I'm sure he felt discouraged at times as his aged body struggled and as he recognized his remaining days on this earth were numbered. The very thought of beholding the Messiah is likely what kept him going day in and day out. It gave him hope.

One such morning, he was led by the Spirit to the temple, where he likely spent a good deal of his time. He saw a very young, unrecognizable couple visiting the temple with their newborn son to make customary sacrifices. This was likely a sight he'd seen thousands of time. But something was different this time.

The Spirit opened Simeon's eyes and he recognized the Christ child in the arms of his mother. In a much anticipated moment that must have seemed surreal, he held the baby in his arms and gave thanks to God. He could now depart this life in peace with the assurance that His Savior had come to redeem his people, and to redeem him.

Before Joseph and Mary could move on with their ceremony, they received blessings from Simeon and marveled at what may have been the final prophesy of his devout life:

"...mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel!"

As we think of Jesus Christ, can we also feel that same joy that must have filled Simeon's heart that day? Jesus brought the hope of salvation to Simeon, and He brings that same hope to ALL who will believe and follow Him.

 

Plant Christ in Your Heart

 I've read Alma 32 and 33 many times before, but this time was different.

Alma elegantly teaches about faith with the familiar metaphor of planting and nourishing a seed. The first step isn't belief but a desire to believe. As chapter 33 begins, the people respond with, "that's a cool analogy, and the fruit sounds awesome, but what word are you talking about that we should be planting?" (paraphrasing a bit)

Alma then teaches them all about "the word" (another name for Christ) with a beautiful sermon about about Jesus Christ, pulling from the words of Zenos & Zenock and referencing Moses' example of the serpent on the staff. Then what hit me today was that after these powerful teachings about the Savior, Alma mic drops and says, "this is the word you should plant."

If you're ever struggling with your faith and wondering how to "get started" with just a "desire to believe", the word you need to plant in your heart is Jesus Christ. Focus on Him, learn of Him, and "look and live."

Alma 58:37 God Will Deliver Us

Likening Alma 58:37 is empowering:

My Translation: But, behold, my most difficult trials mattereth not—I trust God will deliver me, notwithstanding the weakness of my mortal condition, yea, He will deliver me out of the hands of my enemy, the adversary.

Original: But, behold, it mattereth not—we trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies.

Helaman wrote this at a time when he and his armies were weak, tired, injured, hungry, and grossly outnumbered by the Lamanites. And God delivered them. Our Heavenly Father is a God of deliverance. 

Book of Mormon Teaches How to Survive Quarantine

 

What!? The Book of Mormon teaches how to survive a quarantine!?

A couple years after the Nephites defeated the Gadianton robbers in what Mormon describes as the greatest slaughter ever among the descendants of Lehi, a new tactic is used. This time the robbers decide to "lay siege", "hem them in on every side", and "cut them off from all their outward privilege." In essence, they imposed an quarantine on the Nephite city.

How did the Nephites survive quarantine and isolation from the outside world? They didn't even have the Internet or Netflix!

First, they had prepared flocks, food, and provisions to "subsist for the space of seven years."

Second, we know they were prayerful and trusting in God because of Mormon's earlier description that they "did lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies."

And third, they didn't sit around passively and wait as helpless victims for the siege to end. They "were continually marching out by day and by night" to mount small offenses against their enemy.

We've been under siege for months now, so what's the application for us today?

We must make efforts to be self-reliant, not just physically but spiritually as well. In fact, this pandemic might be a greater spiritual assault than physical (think about it in your own life).

We must trust God and seek His grace and deliverance in our lives.

And lastly, we must be anxiously engaged in a good cause. Fight back by serving and lifting others, armed with the sword of the Spirit.

Ultimately, after years in quarantine, the Nephites win, and they're able to destroy the Gadianton robbers. We will win too! And when we win, I hope we can rejoice as did the Nephites:

"And it came to pass that they did break forth, all as one, in singing, and praising their God for the great thing which he had done for them, in preserving them from falling into the hands of their enemies.

"Yea, they did cry: Hosanna to the Most High God. And they did cry: Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the Most High God.

"And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction."

3 Nephi 4

What Can We Learn from the Nephites (3 Ne 11) about Hearing Him?

 In 3 Nephi 11:3-5, it took the Nephites three attempts before they understood God's voice. What can we learn?

What was different about the third time?

They "did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were toward the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven." They focused their full attention and were able to hear God speak to them.

We've talked a lot about Hearing Him this year because of its critical importance in our lives. It may be different for each of us, but I think we can all learn from the Nephite example of setting aside distractions (no multitasking!) and making intentional efforts to focus complete attention on God.

God introduced the Nephites to Christ who then came to them to heal and bless them. What does God want you to hear?

Alma Beautifully Describes the Son of God, our Redeemer

This is the Savior that I worship and love. His grace is available to us all to help us in our mortal journey. He wants to help you; you're never alone.

His equity gives hope and confidence that all wrongs will be righted, that judgment will be individual and based on individual circumstances, according to the light and knowledge received.

And he is full of truth because he sees things as they really are. Truth is dependable and does not shift with popular trends and political pressures. It's reliable as He is.

Jesus is patient and long-suffering with you in your weakness. He allows you to keep trying though all of us fail often and repeatedly. He understands the process of personal growth, and because he sees the end from the beginning, he knows who you are becoming and is never disappointed in you.

His mercy is possible because of his atoning sacrifice and extends to you a hand of forgiveness. We will do nothing in this life for which we cannot attain forgiveness through faith and repentance on His name. Not only is He able to forgive you but he is merciful enough to want to forgive and help you.

He hears you and will answer your prayers. It takes faith to trust that your prayers are heard and answered, and miraculously they are. He knows and cares about you as an individual and is eager to help you. Pray for help, pray for success, pray for others, pray always. He will hear and answer.

The Savior has shown us the path to follow Him. As we faithfully repent and are baptized we make it possible for the miracle of his grace to redeem us. This is his "work and glory" and the purpose for coming to earth - redeeming you and me.