Creating and Keeping A Mighty Change of Heart: Honesty

Through the Atonement of Christ and by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, we undergo this ultimate operation, this spiritual change of heart. As a result of our transgressions, our spiritual hearts have become diseased and hardened, making us subject to spiritual death and separation from our Heavenly Father. The Lord explained the operation that we all need: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” ... Indeed, equal, if not greater, care must be taken with a spiritually changed heart than with a physically transplanted heart if we are to endure to the end. 

In an article written by Dale G. Renlund, "Preserving the Heart's Might Change" I found 11 key characteristics that I feel will be helpful in my efforts to become the woman God has intended for me to be.

1. Honest & Upright in all things
2. Firm in the Faith of Christ
3. Eager to please God
4. Worship with fervor and passion
5. Interest in helping and service
6. Hold covenants firmly
7. Teach the Gospel to your children
8. Distance yourself from temptations
9. Frequently assess the condition of your heart
10. Be humble
11. Free of Pride & Envy 

Every week I will study each one of these through the scriptures, words of the Prophets and any other uplifting helpful resources.

This week my focus will be on Honest.

Sunday night I flipped through the Dictionary to better educate myself with the word 'upright'. It is defined as being strictly honest or honorable. Because I find words fascinating I also looked up 'strictly/strict'. Without exception or deviation. It isn't enough to be honest but strictly honest. I imagine myself speaking only to stop and ponder did I speak complete truth? Did I embellish, exaggerate, or only tell half truths? For I know I have done these things before. I also feel that not only does this discipline of honesty apply to my words but my actions as well. I've fallen guilty to making myself out to be a liar. Falling through on my promises. Not producing the expected results.

Think before you speak and/ or act. Always good advice. In everything I do I will strive to be honest by stopping to daily evaluate the previous' day actions and words. Did I make commitments; to God, myself, children or others? What activities, interactions can I anticipate for today that will prove me honest or false?

Scriptures to keep in mind; 

• Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Don't tell lies, gossip, or even elevate myself above others by comparing. Gossiping no matter how factual it may be is not speaking with the spirit of Christ. Trying to 'one up' a persons experience is usually achieved through exaggerations.
•  Ecclesiastes 5:5  Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Don't make promises you can't keep. Look through past experiences, recognize where I fell short, why and if the same could be the same again. Don't make promises to things that aren't tried and true. If it's the first time with a new project, an added errand to an already busy schedule, don't set yourself up to make you unreliable. 
• Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Don't sell myself short. If I'm working with others that aren't doing their full part don't let my work slide because of their attitude. If someone wrongs me and they are in need of help, serve them. Don't let their actions/words towards me change my nature and become choosey. 
• Alma 7:20 I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round. Don't be distracted. Be truly reliable, even predictable. 
• Alma 41:14 Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, jusdge 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. I will always be better blessed for being honest.

A Time to be Born

As a mother the first thought came of the birth of my children. Now since that only happens once, how could I apply this line of scripture verse once more to my life?
So I pondered on what word could describe the result of birth. New, it's something new. A new life.
I can't physically be born again but I can be spiritually reborn. And I believe this can happen more then once. Being human makes me forgetful and less disciplined than I could ever wish to be. Thus the reason for this whole study and why I thought it appropriate to start it with Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Life divided into a Time and Season for all things.

This first study my focus will be on Rebirth and the creating of New things.

Here are a few scriptures to start out with.

John 3: 3,5,6 & 12
      Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
   ...Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.
      That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is the Spirit.
      If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

Here the explanation is simple. It's all about perspective. With this mortal life comes limited vision. We rely on our 5 earthly senses. The evidences proved by science are based upon them. What you can see, touch, hear, smell and taste, they are real. They are tangible and available for extensive study. Even then, there is much debate as to what is fact and what can be called theory. So here it is. If we can't identify what's clearly in front of us. How are we to know what's beyond?

1 John 4:7
      Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. 

I find this to be appropriate because love is truly all you need. Not in the way everyone likes to promote, but for living through the Spirit. It is only when we love ourselves, can we love others, that drives us to serve unselfishly. Our hearts are then truly changed. The love we can have for others allows us to look inward and act outward toward those we see in need. Our inhibitions would not detour us.

Alma 5:14 
      And now behold, I ask of you my brethren of the Church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received His image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your heart?

This is my goal. To have a MIGHTY change. No more little spats. No more good on Sunday only. I need to buckle down, get disciplined and create that change within my soul that I know will make a world of difference. 

Introduction

Hello there!

I'm Jennifer and this is me using inspiration and turning it into realization. To many times when inspired by passages of scripture, words given by Prophets and speakers during Church meetings or through answers of prayer, and comments shared by friends, I let them pass me by. But not anymore. My last inspiration just wouldn't let me go. So I came up with a study plan to follow until the end of the year on a common scripture verse(s). Ecclesiastes 3:1-8    I broke it up into pieces for each week. I broke up the study into days. Pondering what each phrase meant to me. What the scriptures and others have to say on it. Then figure out how to apply it. I began and just couldn't stick to it. I found myself wanting to expand it! There is just so much to learn from 8 verses I don't want to miss anything.

I started a journal to keep and make notes of my studies. Now I've started this blog to share my discoveries. I first thought how amazing it would be to write a book. Creating an opportunity to make an income as single mother would be fantastic. But who wants to buy a book written by a nobody? That would probably be hacked during editing anyway. It then occurred to me that this information should be free. Why should I profit from scriptural doctrine? Those whose words and thoughts I'd be studying and searching don't.

So onward and forward. I hope to post 3 times a week and see how it goes from there. I'd also like this to be a forum for conversation, to leave inspiration and receive it.

Please, please I beg of you to show respect for the words and ideas of others

 that are different then you're own.