Sunday, July 1, 2012

HIS WORK AND HIS GLORY (part two)

Having briefly expressed my experiences and opinions which are the result of a life spent in classrooms, writing on wallboards, I will now venture into an area, which like Paul, I as yet but see through a glass darkly.

How does a loving Eternal Father judge and help His children to become ‘all that they can become?’

For behold this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)

How extensively can we apply our Heavenly Father’s methods to our earthly relationships as we attempt to encourage the progression of one another?

I tell you these things that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2:17)

As only deity can do, our Father in Heaven will hold each child accountable for their individual opportunities, abilities and availability to knowledge during their mortal days of probation.

For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding. (2 Nephi 31:3)

Our Heavenly Father directs individuals and nations according to their capacities and opportunities.

For behold the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth council in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. (Alma 29:8)

Besides our limited ability to see through the glass darkly, we must never forget the vastness of the gulf which exists between the meagerness of the mortal mind and the Omniscient Immortal mind of our Heavenly Father.

Although this gulf exists I also believe that it is part of my assignment while I sojourn on this probationary planet to do all I can to help myself and others rise toward our potential.

I truly believe it is a major part of our earthly calling to be about our Father’s business, by going about with all our heart, might, mind and soul to:

Build – Edify – Strengthen others in all our interactions

Reinforce their self-worth with positive loving comments

Eliminate criticism and increase constructive advice when it is petitioned

Lead and admonish only in circumstances where my stewardship is well defined

Teach correct principles and then stand aside while others exercise their agency


As I attempt to do all I can to maximize my mortal potential I believe it is also part of my earthly responsibility to try too:

Continually strive to increase my testimony that I am the spiritual offspring of Heavenly Parents

Keep in remembrance that I was not sent to mortality with a propensity to fail

Do all I can to use my agency in accordance with my Father’s will

Retain a positive attitude while trying to diminish negative moments

Understand that I am of value while minimizing selfishness


Although these lists are short and incomplete they at least can start me on the quest to becoming the stepping stone for myself and others I was sent to earth to be.

Wherefore you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father. (Doctrine and Covenants 18:14, 15)

11 comments:

  1. Buenos días, Señor.
    Un nuevo día que me regalas.
    Gracias con toda la fuerza
    de que soy capaz.
    Gracias por este nuevo amanecer.
    Gracias por este nuevo empezar.
    Gracias por tu presencia
    que me acompañará en toda la jornada.
    Quiero comenzar este nuevo día
    con entusiasmo,
    con alegría reestrenada,
    con ilusión nueva.
    Me da seguridad el saber
    que Tú estas a mi lado:
    en mi familia, en mis amigos,
    en la gente con la que me voy a encontrar,
    en mi propia persona.
    Te ofrezco mi trabajo de este día.
    Que mi esfuerzo sea fecundo,
    sirva para la felicidad de los demás
    y me ayude a encontrar mi propia paz.
    Que, con mi trabajo, mi día sea un pedacito
    del mundo que busco y sueño.
    Ayúdame a llenarlo de entrega y amor.
    Señor, que hoy viva de tal manera
    que cuantos se acerquen a mi
    descubran tu presencia y tu ternura.
    Buenos días, Señor.
    Un nuevo día que me regalas.
    EN EL NOMBRE D JESUS...AMEN Y AMEN!!!!

    Jean Paul Terceo

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  2. Hi Bill--

    So pleased you started emailing these thoughts again--with all that happens in life, seeking out blogs (even my own kids', with pics of grandkids...) sometimes drifts down the lists of priorities.

    So receiving and reading your weekly thoughts is a great start for the Lord's day--and often creates a theme for the day.

    So thank you--for pondering, writing, unselfishly sharing...and lifting.

    Enjoy your day of "rejoicing and prayer."

    Warmly,

    Doug Higham

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  3. Bill,
    Just a quick note to thank you for these thoughts. When I take the time to read them it is very uplifting and helpful. I know that many people benefit by your emails. Thanks!

    Rob Whittle

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  4. Dear Brother Riley, Muchas gracias por su mensaje. My heart skipped a beat or two in reading your inspirational thoughts. They're a wise blend of keen insights and deep humility, a rare commodity in today's world, I fear. But I think that this blend is what you represent to me and why you are endeared to so many.

    Que tengas una buena semana!

    Bonnie Lynn

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  5. Thank you for the wise and useful thoughts Bro. Riley!

    Jay Lawrence

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  6. > *Build – Edify – Strengthen others in all our interactions* * *
    > *Reinforce their self-worth with positive loving comments* * *
    > *Eliminate criticism and increase constructive advice when it is
    > petitioned* * * *Lead and admonish only in circumstances where my
    > stewardship is well defined*
    One gets the feeling from that that it is best to emphasize the positive, work by positive reinforcement.
    But then
    you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people
    It requires such skill, maybe even genius to thread that needle it is easier for a camel to get through that needle's eye.
    I find myself vacillating from one to another, never on the golden mean.

    Paul Maddox

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  7. Estos pensamientos son como un remanso para mi en este momento

    Yaneth Beatriz Díaz Rojas

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  8. President Riley,

    Thank you for your wonderful thoughts and continued counsel. I personally appreciate all that you continue to do. Your a great man. I hope I can give great "slices of Heaven" as you have done and continue to do.

    Tysenfausett

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  9. Love the scripture references...
    need the reminders of how we can apply them. Thank you for the down to earth applications to help apply heavenly principles. That gulf between my mind and Heavenly Father's is made less overwhelming when these suggestions are placed before me.

    Thank you.

    Jean Seavey

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  10. DE regreso a los EEUU despues de las vacaciones en Colombia.Agradecemos poder leer y meditar tus pensamientos.Mil gracias querido hermano y recordado presidente Riley.

    Armando & Graciela Gomez

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