Know vs. know

Readings:

Elder David A. Bednar, We Believe in Being Chaste (General Conference, April 2013

Elder Richard G. Scott, Making the Right Choices (Ensign, November 1994)

Elder Boyd K. Packer, The Fountain of Life (BYU Fireside, 29 March 1992)

         This weeks readings were, yes, once again very prophetic. I learned many thing from these words.....some obviously stood out more than others but I still learned things that strengthened what I already knew as well. One such phrase/paragraph that stood out to me was from Elder Bednar's, We Believe in Being Chaste." He stated: "The power of procreation is spiritually significant. Misuse of this power subverts the purposes of the Father's plan and of our mortal existence. Our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son are creators and have entrusted each of us with a portion of Their creative power." It goes on but these few sentences are what made me stop and ponder more. I had never understood it in this way. This power of sexual intimacy and procreation brings a man and woman together to become one and even greater than that to become as God. We are blessed with His power her on earth. This is who we all want to be in the hereafter, we are striving to be as God and here on earth this is the one way we can experience that already. That's really cool! Yet we have to use it properly as well. He has given us commandments as to how to use such power and when we use it improperly we are required to repent. And as we learned in the Pod Casts "No true repentance comes without pain" and the pain is based on the wrongs we have done. 

Elder Bednar then quotes Elder Oaks, "The power to create mortal life is the most exalted power God has given his children. Its use was mandated in the first commandment, but another important commandment was given to forbid its misuse." I just really appreciate all of these readings because even when I'm stopped and given reason to contemplate and ponder things in the very first reading, I have a stronger urge to read everything else too. 

Elder Scott's question and answer was very interesting too. He was very specific in some of his questions and I appreciate that. We aren't blunt enough sometimes when we talk about these things and we really need to be especially the way the world is today. We need to make everyone aware of just how powerful satan can be when it comes to intimacy and sexual relations outside the holy bounds of marriage as ordained of and by God. Elder Scott, when talking about peer pressure made the following statement, "No one intends to make serious mistakes. They come when you compromise your standards to be more accepted by others. You be the strong one. You be the leader. Choose good friends and resist peer pressure together." Sometimes easier said than done but we should strive to have those who will influence and support us for good!