Yesterday, the California Santa Rosa Mission was privileged by the visitation of Elder Christoffel Golden, Jr of the Seventy and his wife Diane. It was a beautiful conference in which we heard from and were instructed by these two and by our beloved President and Sister Bunker. There were also speeches given by the senior zone leaders pertaining to the "state" of their zone and various testimonies. The Spirit was poured out in great abundance as we discussed a wide-range of topics and fielded questions from the missionaries. Present at this conference were the Ukiah, Eureka (who travelled nearly four hours to attend), San Rafael, and Santa Rosa zones, comprising almost fifty percent of the mission. Overall, it was a fantastic learning experience for all within the Yulupa Chapel walls in Santa Rosa.
The most impressionable item discussed was the role of Jesus Christ in the plan of happiness and in the atonement. We read Alma 7:11-13 along with various other scriptures, and Elder Golden expounded on the fact that Jesus "knew all men," meaning that he literall knew the conditions of our personal lives. It is for this reason that in the scripture recently cited, we read first that Christ went "forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people." It was after knowing our situation perfectly, after feeling the state of our whole existence, and after taking upon him "our infirmities, that his bowels were filled with mercy towards us. He could then willingly and perfectly take upon himself the weighty price of our sins. As we were taught by a special witness of Jesus Christ, I felt as Brigham Young who said "the Holy Ghost proceeding from the individual illuminated my understanding, and a light, glory, and immortality were before me. I was encircled by them, filled with them, and I knew for myself that the testimony of that man was true."
Someone very special to me recently suggested that I explain why I chose as the title of this blog "Always Grateful, Never Satisfied." The reason is simply that learning is eternal and true gratitude is a catalyst. As we work at our goals and seek diligently to improve our state while in this life, our natures will be changed. Our gratitude will then propel us and allow our nature to be changed furthermore. We cannot be satisfied with our lives and think "all is well in Zion" to the point that we cease to progress. We are then in danger of losing the light that we have already received. "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath" (Matthew 25:29).
I will close this post with one more scripture to satisfy your scripture pangs: "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
May we be always grateful, never satisfied.
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