Today in Relief Society we started studying from a new manual, which are sermons from President Ezra Taft Benson. I'm excited to study his words this year. He was the prophet for most of my growing up years and I remember many great talks that he gave. He is also from my home state of Idaho.
Our lesson today was entitled The Great Commandment-Love the Lord. I'm a quote girl, so of course I loved the following quotes. The first 2 are my all time favorite quotes:
"We must put God in the forefront of everything else in our lives. When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities."
"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life."
He also quotes the scripture Romans 8:28, "All things shall work together for good to them that love God." I love this scripture, because it it so true.
I also like this quote, "One of the trials of life is that we do not usually receive immediately the full blessings for righteousness...That it will come is certain, but ofttimes there is a waiting period that occurs, as was the case with Job and Joseph...During this testing time the righteous must continue to love God, trust in His promises, be patient, and be assured as the poet said that 'who does God's work will get God's pay.'"
He ends with this, "The great test of life is obedience to God. The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it. The great commandment of life is, 'Thou shalt love the Lord they God with all they heart, and with all they soul, and with all they mind and with all they strength.'"
I have seen these prophecy's come forth in my own life as I have put the Lord ahead of all other matters and people, He has truly blessed me. Sure there have been plenty of trials and setbacks, but the blessings far out weight the trials. I am so grateful to know that God lives, that I am one of his choice daughters, that He is intimately involved in my life and that he has a plan for me. I love him and am so humbled by his love for me.
Great quotes as usual!! That is my goal this year to put the Lord first.
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