What is the hardest thing about living in a fallen world? And how to counteract the hard thing.
What is the hardest thing about living in a fallen world? And how to counteract the hard thing. Living after the manner of happiness in a fallen world 2 Nephi 3-5.
There is always a struggle - how to hold onto our covenants - there will always be a struggle -
"Overall, 2 Nephi tells a story that is well suited to the difficulties of middle age, to those who struggle with life’s disappointments when previous assumptions about God and religion appear to be discredited. It offers a model for responding to adult discontent and frustrations, especially when faith seems difficult, and it illustrates a type of intricate detailed engagement with scripture that is rare in the Latter-day Saint tradition. If 1 Nephi appeals to adolescent sensibilities, 2 Nephi is, to paraphrase Virginia Woolf’s assessment of Middlemarch, scripture written for grown-ups." Grant Hardy, The Annotated Book of Mormon.
Raised to think that life wouldn’t be so hard - but has found that she is most unhappy when not rolling with the punches - the road doesn’t end unless you refuse to take the turn -
Very favorite scripture is 1 Nephi 1:1, highly favored of the Lord - magical childhood and then hit adulthood - evaluate when the road is bumpy what ways currently being blessed - practicing to release control of the outcome -
What is highly favored? Knowledge? Opportunities?
Neal A. Maxwell talk - “but if not” https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/neal-a-maxwell/taking-cross/
We won’t know the why of hard things - but look at it as an Invitation to level up - to respond - to become something different
Never thought about hard things while growing up - never thought about working to become different. Everything changed when beloved grandmother was dying as she returned home from her mission, and this was not the plan she had in mind.
Response from a group member: You were in resistance to that experience
Silent meditation - become the Buddha of resistance - 50 percent good and 50 percent bad - we can always control our response to something - crappy but can still choose how to respond - choose to take the turn - used to be a “fair freak” growing up but can see that life isn’t fair - relax and release -
Dad used to say, "The word fair isn’t in the scriptures except to describe how people look."
"Bennion argues that to experience suffering, navigate a world of agency-created obstacles, and be subject to natural laws is to live in God's reality. It is to live God's life and mature in it." https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/christ-and-the-work-of-suffering/
When things don’t go as planned, you have to learn to do hard things - then, when you do the hard thing, circumstances start to change
Some hard things in her life that she didn’t expect - no doubt Jesus Christ is there for her - but the model presented in church doesn’t fit her life right now - has a hard time with the constant reminders of perfection at church - hard to show up every Sunday, but wants to take the sacrament - but everything feels disappointing right now.
What are Laman and Lemuel doing now? There is always hope.
Expectations at church are high
Two grandsons who aren’t going to serve missions - but they will have lessons that this path will give them - live in the present moment that everything is okay - turn it over to God
Doesn’t like church (except for when she was single)
The volume goes up when someone says something that is so personal -
Relief Society good news minute kills her - punch in the gut
Start normalizing people’s lived experience - we fought for this agency before we came here to Earth - speak up in church -
Church is the framework for your worship - no need to agree with people. Just look at it as a journey to learn and to grow - difficulties help us to grow closer to our Savior
People who are struggling the most are those whose children are leaving the church - they think they won’t see their kids in the next life. Sheri Dew said it is the number 1 question she receives and tells others it’s going to be okay and to stop freaking out -
A church employee was sent to find out what our global members need - #1 takeaway: families are forever is not a selling point. #1 need is that people need Jesus
Stop saying wayward children, stop saying not worthy—always worthy but not always qualified
What is the hardest thing living in a fallen world? Being a woman.
Counteract the hard: the sacrament, meditation, the temple, prayer, friends, studying inspired words
Lili Anderson's husband dying - the world is making her healing difficult - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/follow-him-a-come-follow-me-podcast/id1545433056?i=1000643690702
I ruin the experience myself
The judgmental heart is painful and draining
The Story We Tell Ourselves
What if someone at church needs me here today?
Laughs when someone says something stupid, which helps, and loves to dress up for church
Always bring something to read at church
It’s okay to not agree with everyone -
Jesus must shake his head, saying you’re making it harder -
Feels swindled — not just hard times, it’s always been hard
President Hinckley quotes the words of Jenkins Lloyd Jones:
“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed.
Most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise.
Life is like an old-time rail journey–delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”