In the Abyss

21 days of travel can wear anyone out. I think what is most taxing is being out of your element and not sticking to your rituals, in particular your spiritual rituals. I realized two things: First, life gets monotonous when there is little focus on the spiritual; second, you become physically weak in the process of contentment. That word,contentment, is used to describe a person who is satisfied just living the day-to-day and having no spiritual connection whatsoever. I feel very blessed to be a part of a church that teaches us to be consistent with our spiritual duties, and look to these responsibilities as the formula to a happy life. Therefore I strive to live the gospel on a daily basis; even though sometimes, I slack I feel that my perspective as a whole stays affixed to the Savior. No worries, this week, I am back full swing. I have almost completed my task here, and therefore, need to dedicate my time to the Savior and my children.

I can't say that I've had time to process much in the last few weeks, but I have seen incredible transformations taking place in the lives of my family members. Within those changes, I have also seen the atonement working furiously throughout their lives. Looking back at these past three weeks, I did have one insight and that was the fact that coming unto the Savior is something that requires much effort on behalf of the person accepting Him as well as those around them, whom are responsible for evoking change in that person. 

To accept the Savior means that you believe in Him, in His miracles, in the work that He brought forth among man. You accept that He is the living God, who sits at the right hand of the Father, you accept that all His instructions, during His mortal ministry, came directly from our Father in Heaven. You accept that His blood was shed for the salvation of mankind. You accept the commandments and adhere strictly to them.

Living according to these standards is where most of us struggle, which is why ordinances are so important because they are a contractual agreement to live life as the Savior did. It is the method by which we are held accountable for the work that we did in this life. 

 We can be saviors for others as we strive to live by the Gospel standards and put on the Armor of God. As we defend the Lord's cause in this life and stand firm to obey Him in all things, we will receive that Power that our Father hath for us. The greatest commandment of all is to love one another. This simple act requires faith that he will give us the compassion and charity to care for one another, the knowledge to strengthen each other's spirits and the patience or desire to persevere. Life was not intended to be easy, otherwise we would become content and not strengthen our spirits to become like that of the Savior's. He was and is the Lord of the world, who came and died that we may know of no other sacrifice greater than His for our Salvation; so we look to Him and serve Him with all purpose of heart. I love and sustain Him as the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and of this I bear witness, in His Holy name, my Savior, Jesus Christ.