Life is Hard, The Gospel of Jesus Christ is Simple

I learned some things at church today. More like was reminded of some things. The spirit spoke very clearly to my heart today. It was fast and testimony meeting in our ward. There were many wonderful testimonies shared but one in particular humbled me and made me realize a few things. I was also very inspired and moved to tears during a beautiful lesson given in relief society by the second counselor in our Bishopric. I’d like to share a few impressions I received while listening to these two people speak with the spirit.

First my dear friend, who has been experiencing an exceptionally difficult run of hard times, stood and shared her sweet testimony. She has struggled with serious financial stress, a beautiful child whose actions have been contrary to her own testimony, and physical pain and health issues one after another. The first thing she said was that she has felt very blessed and wished to publically express her gratitude to her Heavenly Father for that.

My Thoughts: Amazing example of humility and gratitude. Most people in this world would take the opportunity to wallow in their woes and blame God and everyone around them for all of their hardships. Instead she is sincerely focused on her blessings and has been ever faithful.

She then bore her testimony of having been through some financial difficulties and the obvious blessings the Lord has bestowed upon her because of her faithfulness in paying tithing and fast offerings.

My Thoughts: Again a true example of Faithfulness. She has adopted the mind set of how can I afford NOT to? Instead of Satan’s rationale how can I afford tithes and fast offerings when money is so tight?

She also gave testimony of the power of the priesthood and expressed her sincerest thanks to the worthy and willing priesthood holders in the ward who have served her family through sharing that priesthood power. She said that even though she does not have that power residing in her home, she is so blessed to know that it’s just moments away if she needs it.

My Thoughts: I’m so grateful to my husband for not only being of service to us, his family, in that respect. But I am thankful that he is so willing to give of his time and serve my friends and our ward members as well. I know what it’s like to not have the priesthood in my home. Too many years, I lived my life without that extra security. I’m eternally grateful to my husband for bringing that sense of security the true priesthood of God gives, into my life.

Again, I felt humbled by this very sweet and sincere testimony. It is just a reminder to me that complaints and negativity about our lives, circumstances, and trials are Satan’s way. This doesn’t mean that we are not entitled to grieve or feel our human emotions. Sometimes a good cry or venting session is what our bodies need to get through a tough time. But the Lord’s way is allowing our spirits to raise us out of our sorrows and remind us that the Lord is on our side and will make us strong so long as we are humbly and actively seeking His help and doing His will.

On that note I’m so blessed to have had two substantially spiritually charged experiences today. As I said before, our second counselor in the bishopric spoke in Relief Society today. The thoughts he shared with us were especially meaningful to me. I wish I could repeat word for word what was said, but instead I’ll share the moments that I felt the Holy Ghost speaking straight to my heart. He talked about Rocket Scientists. We look at them and we see above average smart, best in their class, only the top notch types could do that job. He then explained that that way of thinking is too often used in regards to the Celestial Kingdom. We look at that endeavor and think to ourselves, oh that’s just for the best of the best, the elite, and more perfect than me. I was struck with the very tender whispering that I have been, and no longer should be, thinking this way. I realized that no matter how hard I try to be everything I think I should be, I’ve never allowed what I do and who I am to be enough. As the tears started to come he continued by reminding us that the gospel is simple. Satan would try to convince us that it is hard and impossible to live up to. This is not truth. The gospel is easy. Life is hard, yes. But the gospel is simple. Read your scriptures, say your prayers, and go to or be in process of getting to the temple regularly. That’s it, he said. In my mind I immediately started to think of the many other things, go to church, pay tithing, be Christ like in all things, etc. Then the spirit whispered again. If I’m doing those three simple things, the much larger list that started to form in my head, those things just take care of themselves. Those other things fall into place and are just a natural extension of the simpler list of three.

He confirmed these thoughts by saying that there isn’t a person doing those three simple things that isn’t living the gospel. Those who have stepped off the path whether temporarily or permanently have at one point stopped doing one or more of these three things. I felt the truthfulness of those words.

I shared my thoughts about the very dangerous no deadly trap we can get ourselves into. That is the trap of comparing our weaknesses to other people’s strengths. Which brings about the thoughts of I’m not enough, and certainly am not as perfect as so and so. I thought to myself after I had made that statement that I am horrible about falling into this trap. I find traits in others that I admire and then start to ask myself why I’m not better at that like them. My house isn’t as pretty as… or I’m not strong like… I don’t pray as often as… I’m not beautiful like… I’m not super mom like…

Then he looked straight into my eyes and with power straight from the Holy Ghost said to me, Sister Taylor, you are doing the best that you can, you ARE good enough. You are on the path. It doesn’t matter which stretch of the path we are on as long as we are on it. You are on the path. He said when you stand before the Lord for judgment, he will say to you, Brandy how are YOU? Not Brandy, how are you in comparison to…

Relief and humility filled my soul. I know that the temptation to compare myself and tell myself I’m less than, stems from Pride and Satan. Today, I have been reminded that if I just simplify, be better at those three simple things, the confidence of being enough in God’s eyes will reign over my prideful insecurities and eventually remove that urge to compare all together.

Again, where we are on the path is secondary to simply being on the path. At the end of his lesson he encouraged us to take time to read The Way a talk given by Lawrence E. Corbridge during the October 2008 General Conference. It can be found in the November 2008 Ensign.

I bear testimony that these things I’ve shared are true. The Lord Jesus Christ is the way. The Holy Ghost is a real member of the Godhead and he teaches us all that the Lord would have us know. If we are listening and inviting him to be with us, we can know the mysteries of God and be reminded of the simplicity of God’s plan. Heavenly Father loves us. I believe this with all my heart. I share these reminders in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.