7.16.2007

We Will Not Flinch

Some time ago I read a book by Sheri Dew called "No One Can Take Your Place", and thought it was great. I especially liked the chapter entitled "We Will Not Flinch". This is what she teaches:

"Premortally, in the most difficult of circumstances, we stood loyally by our Father and His Son, and we did not flinch. The question for us today is: How will we do it again?"

". . . . Do we have an impenetrable testimony of Jesus Christ? Do we know where and how to turn for help? Do we know how to draw upon the power of God? Do we understand how magnificent and how encompassing the doctrines of the gospel really are?"

". . . . The more we know and understand, the more useful we are to the Lord. For "the glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth," and "light and truth forsake that evil one" (D&C 93:36-37)."

I want to be useful to the Lord. I want be someone who does not flinch. It's reassuring to me to know that I did stand firm once -- against some pretty strong persuasion and opposition. I did it then and I can do it now. But to do so, I need that testimony, I need to know how and where to turn for help, I need to know how to draw on the power of God and I need to understand how wonderful the doctrines of the gospel really are. So I need to work. I need to read, to study and to pray and to treat people in the way I'd treat the Savior if He were here. As I reach up for the help I need, I will become strong. And I too will not flinch.

7 comments:

Jori said...

Excellent post as always! I love No one can take your place. I love the story she tells abou wanting to try out for the BYU women's basketball team. I have used that story in talks before. I love all of her books!

Seth, Sarah and the kids said...

Sheri Dew is a huge favorite of mine! Thank you so much for being so inspiring! I really do appreciate how open you are with your feelings and thoughts. I need to be more open! And you have a beautiful way of expressing yourself in writing!
Thank you!

hoLLy said...

I agree that it is important to remember that all of us here on Earth made the choice to come here and to choose the Lord's side. We stood firm before and we must continue to do so. Thats a great book. My mom let me borrow that book last year, which reminds me, I need to give it back to her. oops!

Unknown said...

awesome, i love that! i feel like i'm on a mission to figure out what i can do to be useful, too. good thoughts.

Kristi said...

Whew! Talk about inspiration! Jan, at Church on Sunday we talked a lot about how Christ is your uncondiiontal friend--through everything. Sometimes I think it is so easy for me to forget this. Too easy. This relates to your quote right? I mean, how can I flinch when Christ never does? Thanks again for a great post.

Jenny said...

I loved this chapter as well. I just wanted you to know I enjoy your blog and so often share in your thoughts and feelings. I am Sarah's mom and also appreciate the love you have for this special girl of mine. Thank you, Jenny

Jan said...

Jenny -- it was so nice to hear from you! I love Sarah so much and I know how much she loves you -- we need to meet sometime!!