Testing as Part of the Essential Experience

I came across an article by Elder Christopherson in the June 2009 Ensign. This was exactly what I needed to find this week. Here is my favorite section of the article. I have italized my favorite parts......enjoy!!!!

A consistent effort will educate and refine our desires so that in time our desires will become aligned with the Father's. But we should expect to be tested. The gift of agency is intended to give us experience. We "taste the bitter, that [we] may know to prize the good" (Moses 6:55). And Jesus, "though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8).

Joseph Smith was told to expect some severe opposition despite making good choices. Said the Lord, "Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7). We are in a mortal experience because we cannot become as God without that experience. We must prove to Him and to ourselves that we can consistently make the right choices and then stick to those choices, come what may.

Some think that they should be spared from any adversity if they keep God's commandments, but it is "in the furnace of affliction" (Isaiah 48:10; 1 Nephi 20:10) that we are chosen. The Lord's promise is not to spare us the conflict but to preserve and console us in our afflictions and to consecrate them for our gain (see 2 Nephi 2:2; 4:19-26; Jacob 3:1).

Exercising agency in a setting that sometimes includes opposition and hardship is what makes life more than a simple multiple-choice test. God is interested in what we are becoming as a result of our choices. He is not satisfied if our exercise of moral agency is simply a robotic effort at keeping some rules. Our Savior wants us to become something, not just do some things.5 He is endeavoring to make us independently strong-more able to act for ourselves than perhaps those of any prior generation. We must be righteous, even when He withdraws His Spirit, or, as President Brigham Young said, even "in the dark."6

Using our agency to choose God's will, and not slackening even when the going gets hard, will not make us God's puppet; it will make us like Him. God gave us agency, and Jesus showed us how to use it so that we could eventually learn what They know, do what They do, and become what They are.

Remember that with His gift of moral agency, our Heavenly Father has graciously provided us help to exercise that agency in a way that will yield precious, positive fruit in our life here and hereafter. Among other resources, we have the scriptures that contain the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, mentors and parents who love us, the voice of prophets and apostles living among us, the covenants and ordinances of the priesthood and the temple, the gift of the Holy Ghost, prayer, and the Church. May we draw upon these resources constantly to guide our choices, always doing those things that please God.

The Kind of Person I Want to BE!

WWII Pilot


In HONOR of a FALLEN HERO


"Our Life Together is Our Happily Ever After"

My dear grandfather passed away a couple of weeks ago, at the tender age of 86, just 6 short months after my grandma (his childhood sweetheart) passed away. His health wasn't too bad, his mind was still sharp as a nail, he just missed his sweetheart too much!! I miss him A LOT, but know that he is so happy to be reunited with his companion, his son, his grand-daughter, and other family members. Part of me is jealous thinking of the wonderful reunion they are having without us. But, I will patiently wait my turn. I was lucky to be able to attend his funeral and be with the rest of my family. What a blessing FAMILY is!!! AND, what an AMAZING man my grandpa was. I always knew he was one of a kind, but to hear and learn more about his life at his funeral, I am proud to be his grand-daughter. Here are "some" of his life accomplishments....just to name a few (thanks Liz for the summary).

He flew B-25 bomber planes during WWII and was enormously devoted to his country
He spent over 30 years as an educator, and an administrator at Mt. Sac College in CA
He recorded Math textbooks for the blind for 20 years
Was a member of the Lions Club for 40 years
Member of the Christ First Baptist Church for 57 years (and sang in the choir for 40 of those years)
Has four children, 21 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren

WHAT A LEGACY!!! I only hope I can accomplish HALF of what he did in his life. I want to BE like my Grandpa.

Here are some pictures of visits we had with them over the years in California. I am so happy my kids were able to know both my Grandma and Papa Bell. I hope I can keep their memory alive FOREVER. I will always be their #1!!