Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:8

Today's favorite verse: 2 Corinthians 9:8

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"

Earlier in the chapter Paul is talking about giving to others and what we reap in return. What really struck me is the phrase "sufficiency in all things". I am told in my patriarchal blessing that as I remember those less fortunate that I would have sufficient for my needs. I have found this is true. 

This is how I learned this lesson. One day I was a little upset that once again some money had come my way and no sooner did I have it then something broke and I had to use the money to replace it. There went my "extra". I was frustrated that I could never save up and have money to just do something fun. Others seemed to get to play. Then the phrase "sufficient for my needs" came to me. I then realized the Lord was taking care of me. I wasn't punished by having something break and loose money. I was given the money because the Lord knew it was going to break and I needed to fix it. He took care of my needs. I have to be a wise steward and often figure things right to the penny but it does work out. But, only if I think of the less fortunate and give as I can. 

I had a discussion on this subject just last night with my son. What would be better, to have all the money you wanted and the ability to buy anything or to always have sufficient for your needs? I conclude last night and still today, that I would much rather have sufficient for my needs. Why? Because, people can have money flow through their hands like water. But, they are never satisfied with what they have. I would much rather be happy that I have enough. Through good works and feeding my soul with the scriptures I am satisfied. I find I am not always looking for the next thing I want to buy to make me happy. Just that fact is worth its weight in gold. With being satisfied you have everything in the world that you need.

Day 76 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:12

Today's favorite verse: 2 Corinthians 8:12

"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."

As I read this verse I pondered on the gospel knowledge I have. Will I be judged for what I don't know? I think the answer is no. What the Lord finds acceptable is my willingness to be taught. If I'm not willing to learn then I think I would be judged for that. 

I pondered on how the Lord takes us all on a different journey in life. When I read the scriptures my understanding of them is personal to me. The spirit can only bear witness to the truths and explain them to me based on the experiences I have had in life. I will not understand or learn anything until I'm ready. There is no yardstick that says you must know this much to be acceptable. The important thing is to be willing to be taught.

Day 75 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:4

Today's favorite verse: 2 Corinthians 7:4

"Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation."

I pondered over what it means to be joyful in my tribulations. It doesn't mean I'm happy to suffer in any way. I means while life's pains, sorrow, disappointments and grief come upon me, just like it does for everyone else, I am comforted. The spirit will give me peace that I cannot describe to someone that has not felt it. In that peace, knowing the Lord's protecting arm surrounds me I have joy that is full of light and warmth.

One day I was full of grief and the worry of the world. I took a walk around my neighborhood. The impression came to me that I should experiment on the words I had heard others say. To turn my burdens over to the Lord, and he would carry them. I remember I was just turning the corner as I asked the Lord to take my sorry, grief and pain. That I would do the hard work needed, but I could not do it with the emotional demands that came with it. I did not even pass the house on the corner when I felt the weigh on my shoulders lifted. It really does work.

Since then when I face difficult times. I pray for the Lord to take the emotional things from me so I can work on what I need to do. He never fails me. I see that as we work through what I have to face, I come out ahead in the end. So as tribulations come I have this automatic hope that this change is bringing something better. I cannot help but have joy because I know I will come closer to the Lord in our new adventure. As I'm learning how this works I have seen the time it takes to pass through trials has shortened. I know to turn what part the Lord can carry for me over to him quicker. I then have a clearer mind to work through the problems I face. Inspiration comes. He makes me strong enough to pass through things for a season. It sounds crazy, but there is joy in tribulations. 

Day 74 Tami Fitzgerald Harris

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:14, 16-17

Today's favorite verse: 2 Corinthians 6:14, 16-17

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."

I read this chapter this morning sitting in the chapel of the Payson Temple, waiting for the first general session of the endowment to begin. A special 6:15 session had gone ahead of me. Beside me sat my best friend since high school Laura Chandia, who had recently returned from a vacation to Italy. It was a day in the temple I will never forget. From where I was sitting these verses took on a whole new meaning, never dreaming all it could mean in a few minutes. 

Laura told me earlier that from her visit to the great cathedrals she could understand the wisdom in our faith not letting the whole world walk into our LDS temples. She witnessed people taking pictures in St. Peter's Basilica where it was clearly marked not to. Children and teenagers making noise and running around. People chewing gum and eating food. In the tombs were Peter's bones, and past popes laid, people were disrespectful and destroyed any attempt at finding comfort or peace in what should have been a holy place. It was so bad that they made people leave and closed it for a time.

Before an LDS temple is dedicated the world is invited in to come see this  "House of the Lord" and what a Mormon temple looks like. The Payson Temple Open House period was completed and Sunday the dedication sessions were held. Monday the temple was closed to be prepared. Tuesday morning those doors were opened to the faithful and closed to the outside world. It was now the House of the Lord. Only those worthy of a temple recommend are allowed to enter. Inside those holy walls people learn of heavenly things. There is peace, beauty and light all around. I treasure my moments there.

As I moved from the chapel to an endowment room my joy was full. I saw no one there to destroy, mock, or cast darkness on the surroundings. It was full of light. As I waited in the endowment room for the session to begin I had an incredible experience. A feeling so strong came over me I knew that the Savior was there at the temple. I could feel His presence in His House. I knew at that moment if I walked those halls I would be able to find the very door He was behind. I understood at that very moment He was busy, for every ordinance that can be done in the house of the Lord was being performed and He was accepting its operation. The Lord had already accepted the house that was dedicated to him, but now He was approving the running of the temple and the people that were within. I have no doubt the Lord walked the halls, and stood in those rooms today at the Payson Temple. Just like these verses said He would. I cried.

Day 73 Tami Fitzgerald Harris