I started my study today by watching this video that was on the front page of LDS.org. It made me think a lot about Beck and all she does for everyone:
What are the most important things I can do for myself and others?
What is Heavenly Father’s will for me today?
If I could only do a couple things today, what would they be?
These questions come to mind after I watch a video like that one.
My answers:
I’d say the most important thing I can do for others, namely my family, would be to LOVE THEM. To show them my love through how I treat them: patience, understanding, compassion, willingness to make time for them and listen to their experiences. Nothing else really matters.
Heavenly Father’s will for me today: RECOVERY, submission, saying my prayers and feeding my spirit what it needs to fight another day. Taking care of my family, loving them, working smart and not wasting time.
If I could only do a couple things today one would be what I’m doing now – studying and writing. The other would be getting as much of my commitments done for work as I can so I don’t over-promise and under-perform. I’d also want to be with my family as much as I could be and hold them all.
Interestingly, another article on the front page of LDS.or was titled: “Keep your family at the top of your priority list” – the actual title is “Roots and Branches” by Elder Quintin L Cook.
What I liked about this article was that it wasn’t about what I thought – it was about family history and temple work. It talked a lot about the spirit of Elijah and the gathering of family history work in order to connect “roots and branches”.
So far I’ve indexed 208 records:
I’m going to index 30 records right now…
Well, I did 8 records so far – that took a bit longer than I expected – some of the names were pretty hard to read. But I feel good about doing this and will try to do some later today as well.
I’m excited to work on indexing (although I don’t think I’ll tell Mom about it much since she tends to probably brag to people about how “perfect” I am – which I know I’m not).
One thing I wanted to look up was Elijah in the Bible dictionary. This is what I found:
Elijah
Jehovah is my God. Called “the Tishbite,” but the meaning of this name is quite uncertain, no place being known from which it could be derived. He was “of the inhabitants of Gilead,” the wild and beautiful hill country east of Jordan. The nature of the district and the lonely life that men lived there produced its full effect on the character of the prophet. Nothing is known of his parentage. The northern kingdom was the scene of his work, at a time when, owing to the influence of Ahab and Jezebel, the people had almost entirely forsaken the worship of Jehovah and had become worshippers of the Phoenician god Baal (1 Kgs. 16:32; 18:19). An account of Elijah’s life is found in 1 Kgs. 17–22; 2 Kgs. 1–2 and 2 Chr. 21:12–15; there are also the following references to him in the New Testament: Matt. 16:14; 17:3; 27:47–49; Mark 6:14–15; 9:4; 15:35–36; Luke 4:25–26; 9:30; James 5:17.
The deep impression Elijah made upon the life of the Israelites is indicated in the fixed belief that prevails that he will return, as spoken of in Mal. 4:5. The foregoing references from the New Testament show that many mistook Jesus for Elijah returned. Among the Jews he is still an invited guest at the Passover, for whom a vacant seat is reserved and the door is opened.
His recorded words are few but forceful, and his deeds are explicit evidences of his strength of will, force of character, and personal courage. He was an example of solid faith in the Lord. With his ministry are associated such colorful events as his pronouncements upon the life and death of Ahab and Jezebel (and their subsequent fulfillment); calling down fire from heaven; sealing the heavens with no rain for 3½ years; blessing the widow’s meal and oil; and raising a boy from the dead. His life closed dramatically: “there appeared a chariot of fire, … and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven,” (2 Kgs. 2:11–12) and thus was he translated. As a result of Elijah’s ministry, Baal worship was greatly reduced as a threat to Israel. At his translation Elijah’s mantle (shawl) fell on Elisha, his successor; the term “mantle of the prophet” has become a phrase indicative of prophetic succession.
We learn from latter-day revelation that Elijah held the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood. He appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration in company with Moses (also translated) and conferred the keys of the priesthood on Peter, James, and John (Matt. 17:3). He appeared again, in company with Moses and others, on April 3, 1836, in the Kirtland (Ohio) Temple and conferred the same keys upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. All of this was in preparation for the coming of the Lord, as spoken of in Mal. 4:5–6 (D&C 110:13–16). As demonstrated by his miraculous deeds, the power of Elijah is the sealing power of the priesthood by which things bound or loosed on earth are bound or loosed in heaven. Thus the keys of this power are once again operative on the earth and are used in performing all the ordinances of the gospel for the living and the dead.
Also interesting today was the automated email I got from Family Search:
Dear Nathan David,
Thank you!
Thank you for your continued participation in FamilySearch indexing. The completion of your 10th batch is a significant milestone and demonstrates your dedication as a volunteer in the effort of making family history records more generally available online.
By now you have formulated your own opinion about the value of this program and how it benefits everyone involved, from the volunteer to the person who discovers a new insight from the records that have been made available in a searchable format.
While the indexing program provides its own intrinsic rewards, we also wanted to send you a more personal note recognizing this significant milestone of 10 completed indexing batches.
Help Spread the Word
Are you aware that anyone can participate in FamilySearch indexing? By sharing your experience with others and inviting them to participate, you will help this program continue to grow and accelerate the work of making more records freely available online.
Please take a moment to invite someone to join your efforts and participate in FamilySearch indexing today.
Liking FamilySearch indexing on Facebook is another way you can help spread the word and increase exposure to the indexing program. This social experience will provide you with program updates and allow you to see what others are saying about FamilySearch indexing. Also, when you like the FamilySearch indexing page on Facebook, others within your social network will become aware of your decision. This provides FamilySearch indexing with a little extra exposure, which is extremely valuable for an unadvertised service.
Like FamilySearch indexing on Facebook
Your ongoing participation in FamilySearch indexing is recognized and appreciated. Your efforts are helping people around the world discover and document the lives of their ancestors. Please keep up the good work.
Thank You,
FamilySearch Indexing
I am grateful for indexing and look forward to getting more involved in it.
I am grateful for Becky – that she shared her journal with me today.
I’m grateful that I made time to study and work on my recovery this morning.
I’m grateful for my career and look forward to making things happen today.
I’m grateful for my children and the love I feel for them, even when they’re crazy.
I’m grateful for Becky – that she’s still with me, that she loves me so much despite my serious mistakes, and that she believes in me today.
I’m grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ – without it I don’t know where I’d be right now.
I’m grateful for forgiveness and I hope I can forgive as I have been forgiven.
Hasta manana!
Nate
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