In our lives we are always told to feast upon the words of Christ to know what we should do (2 Nephi 32:3). I believe that this is one of those things that we all know we should do, but we don’t do as often as we should. The truth is that the scriptures contain the answers to some of life’s hardest questions. In my New Testament studies this week I took just a few of life’s hardest questions and tried to address them. This is about what I found.
First question: What do we do about arguing over petty matters in our lives? Is that ok? In Philippians chapter 2 we are given some advice from Paul. He tells us that we should have love for one another. We need to become of one mind and one accord through our love for one another. If we are constantly bickering and complaining about small petty matters that don’t mean much then we will never become one. We must love each other enough to listen and to take advice from each other. We must be humble in our dealings with each other. If we are not humble then we will not listen and we will find ourselves better than others. This draws us away from the unity we need. Also, I believe the biggest thing is to realize Christ. Realize who he is and what he has done. There is a bigger picture than whether the dishes are put away in your own apartment. There are lives to be touched and friends to be lifted. “Do all things without murmurings and disputing” (Philippians 2:14). The words of Paul speak for themselves.
Second question: Is it ok to live on a “borrowed” testimony from your parents? How do I help my children understand that they need their own testimony? This can also be answered in Philippians chapter 2. In this chapter the Lord lets us know that He wants to work through us. However, the Lord cannot work through us if we do not know Him. How are we to help in the work if we do not know the Lord and have a testimony for ourselves of His divinity and love for each of us? Also, one day we all must stand before God and be judged. We will not be able to rehearse our “borrowed” testimony and just check it off. Heavenly Father knows us. He knows who we are and what we have become. He will know if we are simply living off of what we have been able to glean from our parents or whether we know it for ourselves. We cannot lie to the Lord. We must become.
Third question: What do you tell an investigator who wants to join the church, but will be disowned from his family if he does? Paul’s advice to this can be found in Philippians chapters 3 and 4. Paul gives his own thoughts on the things of this world compared to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul has lost everything and it is surprising that he is even still alive, so I believe he is worth listening to. Paul tells us that all things are dung compared to Christ. This seems harsh at first. He just called family dung! He just called a career dung! He just called absolutely everything that we may have sought for in this life dung! Can we really listen to this man?! This is where I give a resounding YES! Don’t get me wrong, I love my family very, very much! However, compared to what Christ offers and is willing to give me they begin to pale. He offers freedom! He offers forgiveness! He offers understanding! He offers the way to eternal life! What more could one want? If we must live without a family here on Earth then it will be very difficult, but to live as God lives for eternity is worth it. In Philippians 4:13 we read, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Christ has the power and ability to help us through anything. He is there not only for repentance, but to help strengthen us in our trials. He builds us up when we fall down. He takes who we are and makes us better and allows us to conquer all of the challenges in the world. We must have faith and then he will help us stand. We may be in the dark corners of the world and feel as if we do not have the strength to stand or go any farther and our Savior will pick us up and carry us to the sunlight where we will find hope and the ability to go on. Nothing is impossible with the Lord on our side. This is what we need to remember. It may be difficult now, but it will be better and we will receive strength.
Every day of my life I turn to the words of the Lord for guidance. I can testify that they will truly lead you to where you need to go. If you truly wish to find help then you will not be denied. That is the blessing that Nephi was speaking of. I know what to do because He has helped me. He has told the world and I have found what He wanted me to find. The gospel is truly amazing!
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