03/01/2010
Haiti earthquake
Chile earthquake [ALL IN NEARLY 1 MONTH!]
Hawaii's tsunami
Signs of the Times
When this thought came to me, I nearly cried. This is so obviously a sign that the time of the Second Coming is fast approaching. And I felt this overwhelming need to take out my endowments and be sealed to Michael, sooner rather than later. Obviously I will not pounce on him to take me to the temple the moment he gets home from his mission or anything... since we will still need atleast some time to get re-acquainted with each other's presence... and I shouldn't jump the gun... but as part of the arrival of the Second Coming, there will be more wars and more natural disasters, and there is no promise that no righteous man will fall during this time... And I don't think I could stand it if he died, and I had not yet been sealed to him. This probably seems overly dramatic, and premature, and perhaps a little immature, but that is the feeling that came to my heart.
Our job as saints is to teach the gospel, and gather Israel, and especially during these last days, we must depend on the Lord and wait for his coming. However, the term "waiting" does not mean to sit idly by. Instead, we must continue with a strong fervor of faith, to carry out his commandments and prepare the way for Him. We have been taught to seek knowledge but spiritual study and duty must always have a higher priority than the secular.
"....Intangible things make just as ready gods. Degrees and letters and titles can become idols. Many young men decide to attend college when they should be on missions first. The degree, and the wealth and the security which come through it, appear so desirable that the mission takes second place. Some neglect Church service through their college years, feeling to give preference to the secular training and ignoring the spiritual covenants they have made.
Many people build and furnish a home and buy the automobile first--and then find they "cannot afford" to pay tithing. Whom do they worship? Certainly not the Lord of heaven and earth, for we serve whom we love and give first consideration to the object of our affection and desires. Young married couples who postpone parenthood until their degrees are attained might be shocked if their expressed preference were labeled idolatry. Their rationalization gives them degrees at the expense of children. Is it a justifiable exchange? Whom do they love and worship--themselves or God? Other couples, recognizing that life is not intended primarily for comforts, ease, and luxuries, complete their educations while they move forward with full lives, having their children and giving Church and community service. "
(President Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 40-41)
We have been commanded to multiply, and if we put off that commandment due to our fear of man, or our fear that God will not support us in our time of difficulty, then we are slothful servants. We cannot say "I must and will get an education first." With my new plan to get an Associates Degree, I see the Lord's hand in my life. I was promised that I would be given the opportunity to complete my education beyond highschool, and I have been given that opportunity. I know that if I was put in a position where I was trying to raise children and do school at the same time, my school work would suffer, and I would have a very difficult time with it, and so I see that I have been greatly blessed with the opportunity to finish my schoolwork first. But I will emphasize that if it came down to it, I would do my best to put forth full faith in the Lord and would attempt both, if it was my call to do so. I do not believe in the putting off of children. And I still acknowledge that I am very likely to be raising children while my future husband is still in school, and I see that that may be a trial, but I also see it as a great opportunity for many blessings. No matter our circumstances... if we trust in the Lord, pay our tithing, and keep his commandments, we will be taken care of--it may be a long time before financial security is felt, but we will always get by with just as much as we need: Like the lilies of the field. And I look forward to that day.
I do not want to put off for any reason, my marriage, or my children. Finances do not worry me, waiting for an engagement ring does not worry me, waiting for the perfect time that makes all parts of both families happy does not even necessarily worry me. I don't want a big extravagant expensive wedding, I don't need a long engagement. I already feel a confidence in who I will get married to, which means, when it comes down to it, I want to get married, as soon as it can possibly happen. I have always felt such a security in the prospect of falling asleep next to a worthy priesthood holder, and that is the biggest goal I have in this life beside having married him in the temple, and always keeping the covenants made therein.
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