So, I'm a week late with this one. I'll blame it on the holiday season. Last Monday was our last class of this semester. What a blessing this class has been in my life. The only activity that brings me more joy than being with my family is teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It thrills me to no end to have good gospel discussions that inspire me to better my life and commit myself even more to our Savior.
It is an interesting experience, as the teacher, to have the Spirit teach me things while I'm teaching. Personal things that I don't share with the class but that are brought to my mind and imprinted on my heart during class. I hope the same thing is happening to those attending the class. I hope the Spirit is teaching 30 different lessons each week, individual lessons for individual needs. He can and will do this, I have no doubt.
We studied "Special Experiences" by Elder Ronald A. Rasband; "Service, A Divine Quality" by Elder Carlos H. Amado and "And Who Is My Neighbor?" by Bishop H. David Burton. Here are a few quotes that stuck out to me.
"Faith is increasing among God's covenant people, and I believe it is through having a personal treasury of such valued experiences that an increase of faith can happen for each of us. President Monson said: '[The Lord] commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, and the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and ...they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.'" (Elder Rasband, Ensign May, 2008, 12)
I have several comments about this quote. First of all, "a personal treasury of such valued experiences", I immediately think of my grandma Wilson. For years she hand made beautiful birthday gifts for each of her grandchildren - presents each of us will treasure. After a while, however, she started just sending us cards - but they weren't just any cards. In each card she hand wrote a personal spiritual experience from her life. With each experience she share, my testimony and faith were strengthened. More than any tangible gift she could have given, those spiritual experiences - given as gifts - have created a treasury of spiritual strength for me and have encouraged me to add my own experiences to this treasury.
Let me add here that often I feel we have spiritual experiences without even knowing what is happening. I think if we pray to have our eyes opened to the spirit around us we will be amazed at how involved in our day to day lives our Father in Heaven is and how often the spirit whispers to us throughout the day. Also, when we are struggling with our own personal lives, drawing upon those spiritual experiences can increase our faith and help us endure to the end. As a full-time missionary, it was very effective to help less-active members tell their conversion stories. This would often bring in a powerful spirit and witness to their hearts that they do know the gospel is true and a renewed sense of commitment would result.
The other part of the above quote that I particularly like is Pres. Monson's admonition that "He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through...and..shall learn...Who He is." Amen. This has been my experience. It is through the hardships which I have endured that I have come to know Jesus Christ, how it feels when He is close to me and how it feels when He speaks to my heart. He is the best friend I have in every sense of the word "friend".
Hope this wasn't too much preaching. I get carried away. I won't go over any other quotes this time due to the length I have written already.
Our next class will begin on Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 10-11am at the 8th Ave. Building. Our course of study will be the November issue of the Ensign. See you all there.
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