Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures

Some of you may have heard that Jared and I are taking care of two little kids while their parents work on some things. It is kind of scary. I always wanted six kids, but not like this! :) The little girl is two months younger than Ethan and the little boy was born the same month as Isabel. So it is like two sets of twins. Six kids, four of them are ages three and under, and three in diapers! Heaven help us!

I taught out of Romans last week before all this happened, and there is a scripture that means a lot to me. Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
I asked my bishop yesterday to please not make a knee-jerk reaction and release me from seminary because of this added stress in our lives. He said that he was not. I told him that I needed seminary. It is only through really studying the scriptures and having the words go through my mind during the day that gets me through trials. As I am changing diapers, or mopping the floor, the comforting words of the scriptures is what makes the burden light and helps the work go by easier. I have to do the same work, regardless, but having thoughts from the Plan of Salvation go through my mind instead of thoughts of self-pity and anger is a lot more uplifting and beneficial.

Hope comes from our faith in Christ and in The Plan of Salvation. Yesterday we learned in RS about Joseph Smith and his ability to stay calm in times of persecution and threats to his life. I want to be that way. I want to understand the Plan so well and have such a faith in the Savior that I can truly put my trust in Him and hope for a better day and always believe without doubting that He will do what He promised He would do.

Yesterday in Sunday School we learned about Emma Smith in D&C 25. This revelation to her reminded me of the Mary and Martha story. The Lord exhorts her to use her time in writing and learning much and to expound the scriptures and exhort the church. He cautions her to lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better. I love that the Lord expects us to study and learn--what a blessing to know that I am justified in making that a priority in my life.

I don't have many temptations in super "sinful" things of this world, but sometimes I have to lay aside my laundry or a perfectly dusted house in order to partake of Christ's living waters. I know that my "branch" only blooms because of the strength I receive from his roots. If He has the power to make me what I am now, He has the power to make me better to be able to endure what more He may ask of me. I just need to learn to lay aside the things of the world, and really seek that help through the scriptures.