Dear Friend,
You might think that I’ve forgotten our line of conversation about coming unto our Savior and beginning to experience and even retain more and more consistently a sense of His peace–that peace that passeth understanding (Philippians 4:7), (in other words, that peace that makes no sense because it is with us even in the hardest of times.) This is the equivalent of becoming a peaceable follower of Christ, one who has “obtained a sufficient hope (in Him–not in anyone or anything else) by which a person may “enter into His rest FROM THIS TIME henceforth, . . . (Moroni 7:3)
It has been my experience that coming unto Him, has taken learning patience for myself, learning to be kind-hearted, merciful, and long-suffering toward my own mortal imperfections as well as toward other’s imperfections. It is a process of development that ebbs and flows, just like a baby learns to walk or a small child “potty-trains.” This is all about development (gradual change over time) — HUMAN development. Babies developing into adults (through all the stages and ages in between) are in the similitude and likeness of CHILDREN of God developing into adults (Gods).
I rejoice continually in the Savior’s words in D&C 50:40-46. Capturing those verses in my own hand, in my own journal, I have received the words of Christ through the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 32:3) speak them to me, personally, singularly, and so very, very tenderly. In essence these verses testify that I (we all) are on a path, going through a process of ETERNAL human development. It was going on before we entered this mortal wilderness camp adventure, and it will continue far into the eternal future–round upon round.
We must, in our enthusiasm to come to where They are, not get so anxious in this good work that we become distressed and lose heart. We must remember that “no power or influence can or ought to be maintained [except] by persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness . . . kindness . . . (D&C 121:41) That is the description of the higher way of God. It is the way we learn to be as humble and patient as He is with His children. We must include ourselves as we learn this higher way of influence. Be kind as He is kind, gentle as He is gentle, patient as He is patient — and be sure we include others AND ourselves.
Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him (Moroni 10:32), by returning to Him–repenting as often as needed (Mosiah 26:30). In that verse He says “as often as my people repent . . ” That’s what it means to “come unto Christ” and seek perfection by doing so. It means realizing that all power unto perfection is available to us (His grace) in cleaving unto Him (Jacob 6:5) and allowing His ways to gradually find place in us.
I have learned that I needed to have patience with me even as He has patience with me. I have learned that He has complete faith in me and my successful growth into full spiritual maturity (Godhood), even though I am such a toddler still. I have learned to have faith in HIS faith in me. Thus I keep getting up each time I stumble. I keep the faith–His faith–in me as one with my faith in Him.
Hope this helps. As they say in traditional 12 Step fellowships: “Keep coming back! It works!” (in other words, coming back works). 😉
With love,
Colleen
P.S. Can I please plead with you once more to take either the verses from D&C 50 as mentioned above (or any of the other scriptures referred to herein) and write them in your own hand in a notebook or journal and then “capture” (write out) what personal truths the Lord wants to convey to you through the verse.
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