Be Your Best Self

I really should have recorded my thoughts from last week but I will combine them with today.
Last week Jake gave his "Farewell" talk because he is headed out to Tennessee until he leaves for Uruguay in March. The speakers were wonderful! They talked of service, commitment, hard work, being faithful and more. When we sang one of the Hymns my heart was touched. We don't hear this song much and my testimony grew yet again.

THE TIME IS FAR SPENT
The time is far spent; there is little remaining, To publish glad tidings by sea and by land.
Then hasten, ye heralds; go forward proclaiming:
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven's at hand, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven's at hand.

Shrink not from your duty, how ever unpleasant, But follow the Savior, your pattern and friend.
Our little afflictions, tho painful at present,
Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end, Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end.

What, tho, if the favor of Ahman possessing, This world's bitter hate you are called to endure?
The angels are waiting to crown you with blessings!
Go forward, be faithful, the promise is sure. Go forward, be faithful, the promise is sure.

Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you; The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.
Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;
His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose. His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.

This song goes right into the next chapter of "Be Your Best Self". It's titled, The Way Home. President Monson talks about how History records tells that most men did not come unto Christ when he was on the earth. Nor did they follow the way He taught. Crucified was the Lord; slain were the apostles; rejected was the truth. The bright daylight of enlightenment slipped away, and the lengthening shadows of a black night enshrouded the earth.

Ages went by and there were honest men with yearning hearts, at the peril of their very lives, attempted to establish points of reference, that they might find the true way. Persecutions would be severe, personal sacrifice overwhelming, and the cost beyond calculation. The reformers were like pioneers blazing wilderness trails in a desperate search for those lost points of reference which, they felt, when found would lead mankind back to the truth Jesus taught.

When John Wycliffe and others completed the first English translation of the entire Bible from the Latin Vulgate, the then church authorities did all they could to destroy it. Many of the followers of Wycliffe were severely punished and some burned at the stake.

Martin Luther was threatened and persecuted, yet he declared boldly: "Here I stand. I can do not otherwise. God help me."

Several other men were persecuted but stood firm in their testimonies of goodness and faith. Such were the teachings and lives of the great reformers. Their deeds were heroic, their contributions many, their sacrifices great - but they did not restore the gospel of Jesus Christ. Was their sacrifice in vain? Was their struggle futile? NO!

Finally the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ, had appeared to Joseph Smith. The morning of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times had come. From then to now, truth has been and is available to us. Today we may hear God's prophet speak. Come from your wandering way, weary traveler. Come to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Come to that heavenly haven called home.

I am so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am thankful for the knowledge of eternal families and the guidance we get to Be Our Best Self and to help our families return to our Heavenly Father. All of us will have trials and tribulations but we must have faith in our Heavenly Father. And we must press on and find the positive in EVERY situation. I am thankful for the missionaries that dedicate their time and pray that they will be protected and blessed.