Unselfishness

Day forty-five

Some issues came up yesterday that concerned me and I was struggling with how to deal with them.  This morning my prayer was mostly about these issues and my need for understanding.  I also wanted to know what my part should be in handling these issues.  Although I did not receive instant answers to my requests, I did feel better about letting the Lord know how I am feeling and my desire to do what is right.  My job now is to listen and recognize the answers as they come.

I am into the Book of Moses today for scripture study!  I have been looking forward to learning more about Moses and his experiences.  So I begin with Chapter 1.

Chapter 1 records a vision in which Moses saw God who revealed to him the whole plan of salvation.

I love that Moses starts this chapter by letting us know that he saw God face to face, and he talked with him (Moses 1:2).  This lets the reader know that the teachings in this book are important enough to warrant a face to face conversation with God and should be studied with that in mind.  It also gives us a great example of what a face to face conversation with God would be like physically (transfiguration), mentally (stimulating information and questions), and spiritually (feeling the glory of God and learning to recognize Him).  It also makes me wish that I could have a face to face conversation with God!

We are also given the opportunity to learn more about the character of Satan (Moses 1:12-24).  In your weakest moments he will tempt you and try to deceive you by making false claims.  He has a terrible temper, is arrogant and bitter, and is not above trying to use fear to get you to do what he wants.  I think Moses handled him brilliantly by casting him out.

My favorite part about chapter one is that we also learn more about the nature of God.  We learn what the Lord truly desires :  "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  (Moses 1:39)

I have always felt that this verse showed the endless love that God has for his children, but in my research I came across a quote by Pres. Marion G. Romney that helped me recognize a different attribute in this verse:

"Hence, we see the complete unselfishness of our Father in Heaven.  His whole work and glory is to bring eternal life and happiness to his children."

It is not about Him, it's about you and me! We are His work.

Pres. Romney continues: "Should not our whole purpose in this life, therefore, be made up of righteous service to one another?  If not, how can we ever hope to be as he is?"

What a perfect example the Lord has given for me to pattern my life after:  Focus more on Him and others, and less on me. If I am to be his glory then I need be more unselfish. I wish I could say that I only think of others and give service based on righteous motives, but I still find myself sometimes thinking of my needs.  I am working on this and I know that the Lord is helping me because he keeps giving me opportunities to show it.  I love that he doesn't give up on me! 

So with a renewed purpose of righteous service I am off to conquer the day!