“Stand for Truth & Righteousness” states the Relief Society Declaration.
Have you taken a look at all the ways you are standing for truth?
Every time you set a good example.
Every time you teach a child a true principle.
Every time you ask forgiveness.
Every time you listen to a conference talk, & act on it.
Every time you dismiss a depressing thought from the adversary.
Every time you share your testimony.
Every time you refrain from gossip, & find out the truth.
Every time you exercise faith in prayer.
Every time you resist something that weakens your body.
Every time you seek to “Hear Him” through the scriptures.
Every time you speak up, to defend truth.
To redeem is to rescue from bondage.
Whatever weakness I’m dealing with today, that’s keeping me from standing for truth,
I know I need to take a look at it-give it to my Redeemer, & ask for what I’m lacking,
whether it’s trust or calm, joy or compassion, energy or resilience, hope or patience…. our Redeemer--”the Lord--our Shepherd, our Caregiver--will nourish us with love
& kindness. He will heal our hearts & restore our souls.”
G.E.Stevensen in “Hearts Knit Together”
We know we stood for truth & righteousness, before coming here--we wanted to succeed in commandment & covenant keeping….to become like our Savior, & return safely home. How do we continue that determination, in these challenging times?
2 Nephi 31:19-20
And now, my beloved …. after ye have gotten into this
strait and narrow path,
I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you,
Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were
by the word of Christ
with unshaken FAITH in HIM,
RELYING WHOLLY UPON THE MERITS OF HIM
WHO IS MIGHTY TO SAVE.
Wherefore, ye must PRESS FORWARD
with a STEADFASTNESS in Christ,
having a perfect brightness of HOPE, and a LOVE of God
and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall PRESS FORWARD, FEASTING upon the WORD OF CHRIST, and ENDURE to the end, behold, thus saith the Father:
Ye shall have ETERNAL LIFE.
I know Jesus Christ is mighty to save. I saw His enabling power through my mother. That last verse of scripture is my Mama’s favorite….it has kept her going, & helped her to be strong…. through giving birth to 10 children, doing much of the parenting alone-as my Dad was out working 3 jobs or serving in callings…. raising a blind autistic-very strong willed child, losing 4 children in death as babies & teen, then her husband-to cancer, when she was only 47…
She kept on PRESSING FORWARD, with HOPE, and LOVE, daily FEASTING UPON THE WORD, to keep her testimony strong.
May we look to Him in our weakness, to find strength. May we stand for truth, in the little things, so He can magnify us-to bless lives. I’m teary right now, with gratitude for our SW sisters who have, simply out of the goodness of their hearts, reached out, & touched my life lately--through an inspired email sharing a personal story I so needed to hear….a text with a compliment when I’d had a “less than” day..... a call- to check on us & see if we’d recovered & if we needed groceries....a surprise delivery of one of my favorite things---peaches! :)
They probably didn’t realize they were being instruments in the Lord’s hands...lifting me, & fulfilling part of a priesthood blessing I received- not long ago…..through their simple kindnesses. I know you all do these things, for those around you. Keep up the good work---feast on His words-to stand strong. Press forward. You & Jesus have got this--rely on Him. He is the way, the truth, & the life. (John 14:6)
Much love, Audrey Dexter
Sheldon Ward RS President