So, I don't always get to this on Sunday per say...but I think about it!
This week, I got to teach the lesson covering chapters 17-19 of 3 Nephi. At this point, Christ is teaching the American people that they should ponder and mediate the things that he has spoken unto them. He also institutes the sacrament, heals each and every person, and calls for the children to be brought to him. And it is at that part that He blesses and prays for the children, that I discovered a really amazing insight...
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome.'
20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.
21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
22 And when he had done this he wept again;
23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
If you've ever wondered what "my joy is full" means, this may provide a little insight. And, if you've ever wondered why the Savior wept at this instance, it seems to me that His capacity for joy and his capacity for sorrow and compassion are linked.
Bruce C. Hafen explains:
"He wept--he who had descended below all things, the Man of Sorrows, he who bore all our griefs. The height of his infinite capacity for joy is the inverse, mirror image of the depth of his capacity to bear our burdens. So it is with the enlarged caverns of feeling within our own hearts: as sorrows of our lives carve and stretch those caverns, they expand our soul's capacity for joy. Then , when the Man of Sorrows turns our bitter tastes to sweet, our joy--and his--will fill the widened chambers of our hearts with what the scriptures call 'fulness.' That is when we have accepted his Atonement and love with such completeness that his purpose for us is fully satisfied. Then will we know that we were made for this. Then will we know where, and why, and to whom, we belong. 'For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.' (Psalm 107:9)"
You may want to read this through a couple of times. I think this is an amazing description of what the Savior's capacity to feel really means. It is also a great lesson to each of us. If we are to be like Him, I believe that we must aspire to have this depth of feeling as He has. We must allow our Savior to expand our souls, stretch those caverns, and ultimately, feel as He feels.
How do we do this? I think that each time we are given a calling--think of the Relief Society President who somehow "loves EVERYONE," or the primary teacher that develops a great compassion for her students, or a missionary who cares and loves ALL of the people that he serves. The Lord gives us these callings in order to expand our hearts and allow us to feel as He feels about our fellow men.
Each time we serve, we also have the ability to "expand our souls" as we develop a love for those we are serving. And why are we commanded to "multiply and replenish the Earth?" Having children REALLY expands our capacity for joy and our ability to "mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort" as we nurture and teach our children. A parent's love is the closest feeling we can have to the divine love the Savior has for each of us.
The Savior ends His teachings of that day with a prayer to the Father on behalf of them:
28 Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.
This amazing prayer really shows that the Lord will do anything for us to come unto Him and allow him to purify us, helping us feel as He feels, see as He sees. I hope that I can become more like Him, and keep these thoughts with me as I strive to live His commandments.
This week, I got to teach the lesson covering chapters 17-19 of 3 Nephi. At this point, Christ is teaching the American people that they should ponder and mediate the things that he has spoken unto them. He also institutes the sacrament, heals each and every person, and calls for the children to be brought to him. And it is at that part that He blesses and prays for the children, that I discovered a really amazing insight...
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome.'
20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.
21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
22 And when he had done this he wept again;
23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
If you've ever wondered what "my joy is full" means, this may provide a little insight. And, if you've ever wondered why the Savior wept at this instance, it seems to me that His capacity for joy and his capacity for sorrow and compassion are linked.
Bruce C. Hafen explains:
"He wept--he who had descended below all things, the Man of Sorrows, he who bore all our griefs. The height of his infinite capacity for joy is the inverse, mirror image of the depth of his capacity to bear our burdens. So it is with the enlarged caverns of feeling within our own hearts: as sorrows of our lives carve and stretch those caverns, they expand our soul's capacity for joy. Then , when the Man of Sorrows turns our bitter tastes to sweet, our joy--and his--will fill the widened chambers of our hearts with what the scriptures call 'fulness.' That is when we have accepted his Atonement and love with such completeness that his purpose for us is fully satisfied. Then will we know that we were made for this. Then will we know where, and why, and to whom, we belong. 'For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.' (Psalm 107:9)"
You may want to read this through a couple of times. I think this is an amazing description of what the Savior's capacity to feel really means. It is also a great lesson to each of us. If we are to be like Him, I believe that we must aspire to have this depth of feeling as He has. We must allow our Savior to expand our souls, stretch those caverns, and ultimately, feel as He feels.
How do we do this? I think that each time we are given a calling--think of the Relief Society President who somehow "loves EVERYONE," or the primary teacher that develops a great compassion for her students, or a missionary who cares and loves ALL of the people that he serves. The Lord gives us these callings in order to expand our hearts and allow us to feel as He feels about our fellow men.
Each time we serve, we also have the ability to "expand our souls" as we develop a love for those we are serving. And why are we commanded to "multiply and replenish the Earth?" Having children REALLY expands our capacity for joy and our ability to "mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort" as we nurture and teach our children. A parent's love is the closest feeling we can have to the divine love the Savior has for each of us.
The Savior ends His teachings of that day with a prayer to the Father on behalf of them:
28 Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.
This amazing prayer really shows that the Lord will do anything for us to come unto Him and allow him to purify us, helping us feel as He feels, see as He sees. I hope that I can become more like Him, and keep these thoughts with me as I strive to live His commandments.
4 comments:
I haven't really read this yet BUT I wanted to say I love your anti-obama stuff, he he he :)
can u email me the link to the CHANGE WE CAN FEAR thingie??? :)
te amo@
Great Lesson! I have often felt like the Lord must not love me for how "wicked" I have been. It is amazing how having Aiden has changed that perspective. There nothing my son could do that would change my love for him. It is also amazing to realize what our capacity to love is when we have children. It is beyond description. I do believe having children is the closest thing to Godliness we have on the earth....
Wow, Janessa. Fantastic insights. I continue to be more and more impressed with you as I get to know you!! You're amazing! :)
Hi Janessa, I have just recently discovered your blog and I love reading it. I love to read your "Soap Box Sunday" posts. You have a great testimony and a wonderful spirit. There is a depth to you that some people don't see right off. You will be a great mom! Good luck with everyting. Love, your cousin Sarah
Post a Comment