tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post2878350635247305304..comments2024-03-12T12:03:26.474-07:00Comments on Scriptorium Blogorium: Whoso climbeth up by me shall never fallMichaela Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-21399710804091075712011-05-24T17:46:31.914-07:002011-05-24T17:46:31.914-07:00a reader,
Thank you for sharing that!a reader, <br /><br />Thank you for sharing that!gregohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12358257035978287876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-64649103104986499022011-05-23T13:56:02.123-07:002011-05-23T13:56:02.123-07:00Since you asked, I'll share an experience I ha...Since you asked, I'll share an experience I had where a righteous desire went unfulfilled. I think everyone to some degree or another has dreams/goals that they have righteously desired, prepared for, and worked diligently to achieve only to have things "not work out" despite their best effort. I know that has happened to me repeatedly. <br /><br />I worked as an apartment manager for the first 3 years that my husband was in medical school. We scrimped and saved and barely made ends meet. Our 2nd daughter was handicapped and required a lot of time and attention. Because of our diligence, we managed to save enough for me to stop working about the same time our 3rd child was born. <br /><br />Because we were living in the apartment complex where we managed, quitting also involved moving. We found an amazing house that backed up to a city park, and was one block from the community center where we did swim therapy with our daughter. it was perfect. It "checked all the boxes". I could walk my oldest daughter to school, and take my children to the park daily. I was sure it would be a blessing in the lives of my children to live there. I prayed perfunctorily, sure that heavenly Father would approve of my choice. There was nothing selfish in my motives....it was all about providing the best life I could for my children. I didn't get that reassuring feeling, but felt no sense of foreboding either. I went ahead and filled out the application to rent the home. We were approved and I took the security deposit check to the owner to secure our contract. <br /><br />As I wrote out the check a sick feeling came over me. I was sure it was the thought of writing such a huge check--more than we had ever paid for rent -- but we had the money, and writing big checks always gives me indigestion (I'm such a cheapskate). I left the check with the owner and got in the car to go home. By the time I drove the 6 blocks to our tiny apartment, I was crying. I KNEW we weren't supposed to rent that house, but I could not understand why. It was perfect for our family. I fought that feeling for another hour before I knelt down and prayed "just to make sure" it wasn't me. The impression was undeniable -- the words came as a command, more assertive than I had ever felt, "Do not rent that house". I called the owner in tears and asked him to tear up the check. He was confused as I told him I loved the house, but we just could not move in.<br /><br />A few nights later, I had a dream that we were living in that house, and enjoying it immensely. Then I left the front door opened, and my handicapped daughter, who did not understand the dangers of crossing streets, got the screen door opened and attempted to cross the busy road in front of the house. I woke as I heard the sound of screeching tires in my dream and knew heavenly Father had blessed me to understand the "why" because I had acted in faith. <br /><br />He does not always bless us to know the "why" (I've never before or since been blessed to know the "why" of any other difficult decision), but he has a plan, and He knows the end from the beginning. We may not understand why we must take a certain road when it appears the other road would be better for us and bless our families and others as well, but he sees the road ahead, beyond the curve, where we cannot yet see. <br /><br />You are touching lives with your blog, and you are teaching. You are encouraging gospel scholarship and understanding. I've only been following your blog for about a month, but I love reading your insights and pondering them. Keep it up. Someday, in this life or the next, you will know that "why"....a readernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-8645750647163409912011-05-17T13:42:24.351-07:002011-05-17T13:42:24.351-07:00When I joined the Church of LDS,I had no idea what...When I joined the Church of LDS,I had no idea what a calling was or what role they would play in my life and the lives that I would eventually touch.<br />My first calling was to teach the Gospel & Principles class,which was a struggle to say the least. I can only hope that I was not the cause of anyone leaving the church.LOL:) Mercifully the Bishop removed me from that calling and against my better wishes appointed me Secretary of the Relief Society, which I am sure is an honerable calling, but to me, most miserable. I did my best,but alas I was not allowed to remain in this calling for long and now I am a primary teacher.<br />What I have learned is that I could not approach any of these opportunities like a job.<br />In a job all of our preparations are done so that we can impress the potential employer. I realized that we are called as teachers from the very foundation of the world and the Lord has prepared our hearts to teach.He is aware of what our credentials are,so we don't have to do anything really but show up and bring a desire to love and teach his children.<br />I really appreciate your teaching on this blog. I have learned so much, and have been inspired by your knowledge to dig deeper into the scriptures. I have come to really appreciate the Book of Mormon because of your insightful posts. Don't stop, keep doing what you do. The adversary would love for us to shorten our strides, and fall back. <br />Thank you for all that you do,I believe that you are being prepared for that calling that the Lord knows that only you can fill.Ramona Gordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-70551530666304933912011-05-15T21:55:06.783-07:002011-05-15T21:55:06.783-07:00A few things I've learned through the *many* d...A few things I've learned through the *many* disappointments and "failures" in my life: <br /><br />1. Good intentions are good; just not always part of the plan. <br />2. Sometimes, we didn't do our part. <br />2. It is true, that people often "get in the way" with what could or should have been, especially in the "how" (but not in the long run!). <br />3. That sometimes happens to keep us from our unseen mistakes or consequences that might hurt us or others, especially eternally. <br />4. (And/ or) That often happens to allow us to open up to something bigger and better, if we are humble. <br />5. Or at least, a more suited way for us to fulfill those desires based on principles, not our worldly/ concrete interpretation of those principles.gregohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12358257035978287876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-62014619268212363162011-05-13T10:57:12.104-07:002011-05-13T10:57:12.104-07:00To those two people who commented besides the abov...To those two people who commented besides the above, please know that I did not delete your comments. Blogger was having troubles yesterday and a bunch of people couldn't log in, so I figure that when the situation was fixed a number of comments made on that day were deleted. I did get to read your comments and I appreciated them.Michaela Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-12775217401797854552011-05-11T20:23:59.711-07:002011-05-11T20:23:59.711-07:00I thought you were a seminary teacher in the past ...I thought you were a seminary teacher in the past 3-4 months I've been following you...you are a really good teacher anyway...maybe not in the way you hoped and worked for, and I'm sorry for that. I sincerely wish you the best job your way!!Rachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16606119154674869603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-65023538299865373702011-05-11T15:53:09.891-07:002011-05-11T15:53:09.891-07:00When I was first getting into a career in televisi...When I was first getting into a career in television. People would ask me (especially in the church) WHY I would want to do such a thing. My biggest answer was "because it would be the coolest thing ever" but the answer I'd give was "I want to be an example to others of Christ's church and I can do that on a big scale if I'm on TV." I really did want that, but my first desire was a more selfish thrill-seeking one, and I knew it. I always felt that the Lord knew it too, but he was kind enough to let me grow into the more altruistic desire. When I read the D&C and see the Lord chastising people for the intents of their heart...I know that he is probably thinking the same things about me too. It's a fine line. The Lord gave me what I wanted, but it was behind the camera, not in front of it. And I am happy with what he gave me.Jocelyn Christensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10342635172904848811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-32465946085273344682011-05-11T11:23:05.931-07:002011-05-11T11:23:05.931-07:00I too, have taken strength from your words of wisd...I too, have taken strength from your words of wisdom these past several years. One of your entries on the sacrament has changed my life. <br /><br />How I wish that I could send you a formula for despair, despondency, and disappointment, but you know as well as I that the answers are in the scriptures. <br /><br />May I instead pray for you and your current challenge. There is strength in numbers!DCtSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6478273273186623663.post-50507963336845117922011-05-11T07:58:40.812-07:002011-05-11T07:58:40.812-07:00You would have been an awesome seminary teacher! ...You would have been an awesome seminary teacher! I'm so grateful I came across your blog last year - it's really blessed my life and helped in my understanding and desire to study the scriptures more thoroughly. All I can say is I trust God has something better for you. In the meantime, don't feel bad about grieving.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14733745342911746663noreply@blogger.com