The plan of Restoration

This week I read an article in the Ensign which referenced a quote from Joseph Smith (I'll refer to it below citing it's original source) then while I was reading the Book of Mormon for my Sunday School reading assignment I was impressed by Alma's reference to restoration. I believe it to be a concept with more than one depth of meaning for example in Alma 41:13-15 we see "13... the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful. 14 Therefore,..., see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again. 15 For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all." When we die we are going to be exactly the same as we are there as we are here in our hearts. That its why it is so important to learn to control not just your actions, but your thoughts also, for as it says in Proverbs 12;7 "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:..." and in Alma 12:14 "...and our thoughts will also condemn us..." Another aspect of restoration is from that article I read in the Ensign (you should read it) Titled "Forgiveness and Making Up for Losses" the following is the quote that impressed me from its original source: "I am glad I have the privilege of communicating to you some things which, if grasped closely, will be a help to you when earthquakes bellow, the clouds gather, the lightnings flash, and the storms are ready to burst upon you like peals of thunder. Lay hold of these things and let not your knees or joints tremble, nor your hearts faint; and then what can earthquakes, wars and tornadoes do? Nothing. All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have seen it." (History of the Church, 5:362; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Apr. 16, 1843, in Nauvoo, IL; reported by W. Richards and W. Woodruff) From my understanding it doesn't matter if we think we are missing out on something here in this life that we think we should be getting, a missed hope or dream. One (or more) of your family members died or didn't live up to your expectations (that never happens) Whatever it is, you can stop worrying about it. You can stop worrying about it, because "All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection," and here is the important part "provided you continue faithful." So your job is to continue faithful. Which puts into perspective these scriptures which also refer to restoration: Luke 6: 37-38 "37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:" "38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." In the end its all our own choice: Alma 42: 27 "Therefore, ..., whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds."

Alma 38:14

Alma 38:14 Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my worthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times. When I read this scripture the thought I had was that acknowledging our unworthiness before God at all times doesn't mean we are supposed to go around feeling bad about ourselves, or feeling like we can't live up to what is expected of us. God would not want that, He loves us. It simply means that we must always acknowledge that our best will always fall short of the full qualification for returning to Heavenly Father. But that is okay that is why we have Jesus Christ. We need Jesus Christ, always remember that.

The secret to true happiness

I have a tendency to observe people. I like to learn from others by observation so I don't have to go around making all the mistakes myself. Now don't get me wrong, I make mistakes, but I like to think I've learned a few things along the way from my observations that helped me out, for example; I have been noticing, mostly as I watch television and movies lately that people are very selfish and that their selfishness creates unhappiness. So if selfish people are unhappy, then unselfish people are happy. Unselfishness is the secret to true happiness. Your welcome.