There is Hope For Us All

My final reading assignment in my New Testament class was the end of the four gospels where it talks about the resurrection.  I found it very surprising, again, that Thomas didn't believe that Jesus had come back.  There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, if you believed that Jesus was the son of God when you knew him and witnessed all of his miracles and if he told you that he was coming back, how could you not believe it when it actually happened?

Second, if all of your must trusted and closest friends told you that they had actually seen Jesus on the earth again, how in the world would you not believe them?  It would only take one of my friends to convince me.  Thomas had all of the other disciples plus Mary and who knows how many others and he still wouldn't believe it.  My thought was, "How did this guy get picked to be a disciple?"

The comforting thought in all of this is that he did get picked to be a disciple and there was probably a very good reason for it.  He was normal!  He was human!  He was imperfect, just like all of us.  He represented all of those who are still on their faith journey and who might need a little more convincing.  If Thomas, with his limited faith, could be chosen to stand as a witness of God and Christ then there is hope for all of us:)

If Ye Are Prepared, Ye Shall Not Fear

I know this seems completely random that I haven't posted in a year and now pop up with this obscure post but it is for my religion class that I am taking online.  One of the options for presenting an idea was to post it on your blog so I am doing that now.  With the year I've had I'm sure this is the last thing you would expect me to post on but, here goes!

One of the things that stuck out to me this week in my New Testament reading assignment was the parable of the ten virgins.  It really hit home to me how important it is that we have our own testimonies and not rely on someone else's because when it comes down to it, in the end, we will be judged on our own merits and actions and beliefs and no one else's.

I have had a rock solid testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ my whole life.  I have never doubted anything about it.  I trust everything the prophet says as coming from God himself. However, if I had not married Pat Moore, I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't be reading the Book of Mormon every day or going to the temple every week.  I would be obedient and not commit any major sins but I wouldn't be as valiant in these two things if I hadn't known him.  I now have a very strong testimony of both of these things and will continue to do them for the rest of my life.

Now that my sweetheart is not by my side to prompt me and help me reread conference talks and go to obscure meetings, and go the extra mile in, well, everything. I might not think to do these things.  I now need to fend for myself and really stretch myself into thinking "What Would Pat Do"?  I need to fill my own lamp full enough so that I can be with him in the highest degree of glory because I guarantee you that's where he'll be.  If I am prepared, I won't fear.