I Believe: July 2009

Monday, July 27, 2009

He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children and . . .

I read 3 Nephi 25 this morning, which is six short but powerful verses where Jesus quotes Malachi 4 verbatim to his "other sheep" (see John 10:16) He was visiting in the American continents shortly after His resurrection.

A few different thoughts passed through my mind as I read these verses. Verses 1-4 is a strong reminder to avoid pride, something that is worth remembering and considering daily. It is also a testament that Christ will come again. Verses 5-6 is a statement that families are vitally important -- and I believe the message of these verses includes

The commandment to honor our parents
The responsibility parents have to love, care for, and teach their children
That it is very important to continually build strong family ties
A statement that family history is important, including keeping journals, pictures, recording testimony, and learning about our forebears to honor them and because we will understand ourselves better

I Believe

I believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

This is a life changing statement for me.

I respectfully refer to God as my Heavenly Father. I believe He loves me and that He loves each of us. I believe that He loves me so much that He has a plan for me and for each of us. He created this world, including everything in it, and the universe around it. As a loving parent, He wants us to learn, to grow, and to become like He is. He has already taught us, nurtured us, and loved us completely, long before this life. Now He has given us the great eternal opportunity to come here to this Earth to learn and grow more, and to see what choices we will make here on our own where we don't see Him every day.

These realizations strengthen my view of the family, and make me want to be a better husband, father, grandfather, and friend. This life is so short. Families are eternal. We must nurture our families, and the institution of the family. Our families are more important than anything else in this world and than anything else we might do.

Science strengthens me in my beliefs. I believe our Heavenly Father has a perfect knowledge of all laws of science and that He uses those laws to accomplish His purposes. I believe that we, His children, have learned many of these laws of science, and will yet learn and understand much more about them. I marvel at the beauty of this world, and the great love and detail that is apparent in each of His infinite creations.

Through prayer, study, and meditation, I have come to know that these beliefs are real. God does live. He does love me eternally. This knowledge has changed and blessed my life beyond description. Of course, I still have many challenges. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father, and thankful to His Son, Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Ghost, for their love, and for everything they have done and continue to do for me. I am thankful to know that my Heavenly Father will always love me, even when I make mistakes. Of course, I know that He hopes I will learn from my mistakes, and lovingly He has provided a means for me and for each of us to repent, and to overcome our weaknesses. Whether or not we choose to believe in Him or to follow Him, I am so grateful to know He will always love us completely and unconditionally.

I personally thank you for taking the time to read this. I invite you to prayerfully study and meditate these things with a sincere heart and real intent. You can come to your own knowledge that they are true. When you receive this witness, it will be wonderfully life changing for you!

Doug Beecher
13 March 2009

I Believe

Monday, July 27, 2009

He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children and . . .

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