Creation

1 Nephi 17:36   Alma 30:44   Doctrine and Covenants 88:41-47   Moses 2:1   Moses 6:63   Abraham 3:24-25

Alma 30:44  ...The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the ^bearth, and ^call things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its ^dmotion, yea, and also all the ^eplanets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.

The beauty and majesty of the earth not only testifies of God, but it testifies that He is such a loving God.  Of course, we needed a place for our mortal experience, a place where we could be tried and tested, a place where we could learn.  But it didn't have to be such a beautiful place, did it?  Certainly, God could have skimped a little. 

But He didn't.  He knew we'd be here for a seemingly long life.  He knew we'd have some hard times.   I don't think I'm the only one who has sought peace and consolation from nature.  When my heart has been heavy, I have often retired to a walk on the beach or through the woods, depending on where I lived.  I felt closer to Him there, and I poured my heart out to Him, and I felt like He listened.  I know He did.

I love to sit outside, even in my own backyard, and feel the sun on my face and enjoy the blue skies.  I like to see the wind rippling the water of our pool.  I love my little visitors, the lizards racing along the concrete wall or sunning themselves in the morning.  I love to hear the songs of birds through an open window as I walk by.  I love, love, love, the smell of orange blossoms in the Spring, the bright colors of flowers blooming, and the sight of butterflies and dragon flies fluttering by.  I like to discover grasshoppers and praying mantises camouflaged in the garden greenery who have given themselves away by a slight motion that catches my eye.  I love walking to get the mail and seeing the snow-capped mountains on the horizon, sometimes bathed in purple with the setting sun.

These things make me smile, involuntarily.  They lift my heart.  They remind me that God loves me, and more importantly, that He wants me to have joy. 

Gratitude

Mosiah 2

As I started my scripture study this morning, I was thinking about how I could tell if I am "coming unto Christ."  What changes would I expect to see?  How would I be different?  The answer that came to mind would be that I would have a greater love for people.  The way that I would show my love would be through service.

v. 17  And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn ^awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the ^bservice of your ^cfellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

So, I think that my desire to be kinder, to find ways to act kindly towards others is a step in the right direction.  Another way that I think I can tell if I am coming unto Christ is if I grow in gratitude.

King Benjamin pointed out that we are already indebted to God because He gave us life and all the opportunities that life brings.  Then, God has commanded us to keep His commandments, which if we do, He immediately blesses us.  So we remain indebted still.  I think that coming unto Christ would awaken a sense of that indebtedness.  Especially as I think about the atonement and the great sacrifice that my Savior made for me.  It makes me feel of His love.  It makes my own love grow.

This month, with Thanksgiving approaching, reminds us of the many blessings we are grateful for.  But I don't think I should need a reminder.  I should feel gratitude the way that I feel love for my husband and children, naturally and without force.

Hm.  Something to think about, something to watch.