Based on the talk given by Emily Belle Freeman
Part 2
To continue, I would like to circle back to something that was said earlier.
“Did she also wonder about her place in the plan, her purpose in His kingdom, and her potential in the eyes of God?”
1 Her place in His plan
The Lord reminded Emma and indeed reminds each of us that we are His children. We are children of Heavenly Parents and we are the Lord’s children through the covenants that we have made with Him. Walking in paths of virtue as Emma was instructed to do often starts with learning who you are to God and who He is to you.
The more you learn that, the deeper that relationship becomes. The more clear the path before you become so that you can take the next step. Whether that is making covenants or whether that is acting on revelation and taking a step into the darkness with faith that He is beside you.
We each have a path and for each of us that path started in heaven with Heavenly Parents and a desire to learn, grow, and become like them. Our path then led to and through mortality. With all of the heights and pitfalls, the joys and sorrows that mortality brings with it. That path will eventually lead us back into eternity. The choices we make. The decisions that we face. The trials and challenges that we endure all affect the path we are on. Sometimes they change our direction, or make it so that we wind around for a while.
However what doesn’t change is our Heavenly Parents’ love for us. The love they have for their sons and daughters. The desire for us to come home. That doesn’t change. The love our Savior Jesus Christ has for us. His desire to help us, sustain us, and aid us in becoming who we can become. None of that changes. It is always there. It always will be. Whether we realize it and recognize it or not.
This is what was given to Emma and what is given to each of us. The reminder that who we are often defines who we choose to become.
2 Her purpose
We each have a purpose, a part in the plan. We may not remember it, or we may not have discovered it yet, but it is there. For Emma that purpose was laid out in D&C 25:7.
Finding your purpose I have found often takes seeking it. It takes getting to know your Savior and developing your relationship with Him. It often entails helping others in some way, even if it is not a direct way. I truly hope this blog does help others.
Your purpose and mine will be different. We are different people with different parts to play. Yet together we can all help and strengthen one another.
A place to start is often what are your gifts and talents. Also boldly ask what He would have you do. He will not leave you in the dark, however the answer may not be what you expect. Be open to changing course and doing something that you may not have thought of or that can be scary to do.
Writing is deeply personal to me. Sharing it online can be a bit terrifying at times. However by doing it I am doing what I have been asked to do, and I am growing and learning and changing in the process. Our purpose is often not comfortable because it is meant to change and transform us.
3 Process of inward sanctification
For Emma her process of inward sanctification was laid out in D&C 25. For each of us it is a bit different. While we can follow the pattern set forth for Emma. We have additional resources we can use. Our covenants give us patterns to follow and specific directions so we know how to keep the covenants that we make.
Additionally we can use the instruction and guidance given in our patriarchal blessing. This is filled with personal direction for our lives. Indeed it has been called personal scripture by prophets and apostles.
We also like Emma, have direct personal revelation. Personal prayer and temple attendance are a couple of the ways I seek revelation.
This process of inward sanctification prepares us, like it did Emma for exaltation. It prepares us to return home. So what does this look like?
“Through His divine power, God would heal her heart, enlarge her capacity, and transform her into the version of herself He knew she could become. And through the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood, “the power of godliness would be manifest” in her life, and the Lord would part the veil so she could receive understanding from Him. This is what it looks like for God’s power to work within us.” This is what it looks like when His power works in our lives.
Consecration and sanctification go hand in hand. Consecration is what we do and sanctification is what the Lord does with the efforts we consecrate.
When we consecrate our efforts in what we do, especially when it is something He has asked us to do to the Lord, we are putting in our effort in the “inward sanctification process”. Our part in the process is to consecrate our efforts. To work to the best of our ability to do the things we know we need to do, or have been asked to do by the Lord.
The Lord’s part of the process is to sanctify the efforts that we have consecrated. Then through the process of sanctification we are transformed. Our hearts are changed. Our desires, thoughts, attitudes, and actions are changed and we become more like our Savior and more like our Heavenly Parents.
This is how we live the law of consecration. This is a process that is life long. It is not unfortunately a checklist that we can rush through. It is a slow moving process that never stops. It is a process that with our willing engagement becomes a deeply meaningful experience.
So how do we help the process? How high is the standard we set for ourselves? Is it too high? Is it still attainable?
All good questions. To start we help the process by being willing to participate in it. Our willingness to put forth effort in keeping covenants and obeying what we are asked to do is a vital part. Change is never easy and it is harder when we aren’t willing to participate.
How high is the standard we set for ourselves? Is it too high? Is it still attainable?
I have a tendency to set the standard I am trying to reach too high. While the standard set out by Jesus Christ is high. He accepts all of our efforts to reach it. Our efforts were never expected to be perfect. Perfection was meant to be strived for but not accomplished in mortality. Elder Holland gave a great talk in 2017 called “Be Ye Therefore Perfect – Eventually” Scripturally perfect meant complete. We will not be complete in mortality. However we are meant to try. We are meant to strive, and work and change. Because without that effort we cannot be complete.
So effort in reaching the standard and recognition that while we strive we will not be perfect. One thing that can help us are SMART goals. We often hear about them in regards to school or business. However they can be helpful in helping with the process of inward sanctification as well.
SMART stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound. By using SMART goals you can both achieve reaching goals that you make and they can aid in the creation of daily rituals that will help move the process of sanctification along.
For example reading your scriptures. By itself it is a good thing, but if instead you say. I am going to read my scriptures every day before breakfast for 20 minutes for a month. You have set a SMART goal. It makes it achievable. It makes it so it is not so overwhelming. Also as you continue to do this it becomes a habit and yes even a daily spiritual ritual that strengthens you. It all started with one SMART goal.
This can be applied to anything you are trying to achieve. It helps to break the big things down into manageable parts that aren’t as intimidating to accomplish.
What daily rituals do you want to establish? What effort are you being asked for for your inward sanctification? Is there something overwhelming you need to face and do? Try creating some SMART goals and see where it takes you. Just start with one. See what you can accomplish, what effort you can put in. Then continue and build on what you have done.
You can seek aid, guidance, and strength from the Lord as you do this. This journey is not meant to be walked alone.
Sister Freeman said it best; “Through His priesthood ordinances and the keeping of your covenant promises, God’s power will work in and through you to help you overcome whatever life brings and become the person God knows you can become.”
