The Natural Man

Mosiah 3:19

  "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

 

I thought of this scripture this week as I was reading in Matthew 10:39. Christ said, "He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

I was thinking how this scripture goes against the natural man. As men and women, our instinct is to be concerned about our own well being. We care about others and like to see others find happiness, but our primary concern is...well...us. But none can find true happiness unless they learn to lose their lives. I love this quote by James E. Faust: 

 "Losing our lives means overcoming selfishness and committing ourselves to the service of others."

The natural man might have a hard time losing himself to serve others. When one is in the depths of a trial and focused exclusively on themselves and their own problems, they might not think that forgetting their problems and helping someone else would bring them happiness, but it does. 

In a similar way, serving others might seem like the recipient is the one receiving all the blessings and help. However, the one giving service has much more to gain than the recipient. 

I learned this lesson a few years ago when a new acquaintance asked me for help. Lizzy was in my stake and had physical limitations due to cerebral palsy. I spent several months helping Lizzy. I gave her rides, took her to the temple, invited her to spend time in my home, and helped her with some other things that she could not do by herself. The whole time I served her, I felt she needed me and I was the one helping her. Yet in the time I served her, she gave me a greater gift. She taught me perspective in the most beautiful way. I could not have gained that perspective through attending to my own needs or the needs of my family. Through my service to Lizzy, I also discovered a love that I had never felt before, and a closeness to my Savior. I gained an appreciation for the Plan of Salvation and since she has passed away, I have felt a closeness to those on the other side. I feel her helping me and cheering me on in a way only she could. Truly, what I gave to Lizzy was nothing compared to the life lessons she taught me.

How grateful I am to better understand why it is so important to put off the natural man and serve others.

Mary, Mother of Jesus

Be it unto Me, by Liz Lemon Swindle

 I have been reading the beginning chapters of the four gospels this week as part of my New Testament class. I have been so touched as I learn and read about Mary. As a mother, I am so drawn to her. I can relate to some of the feelings she must have had, and others I can only imagine. When she first was visited by the angel and learned of her sacred calling, she was humbled and said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." (Luke 1:38) 

Simeon Reverencing the Christ Child, by Greg Olsen

I love these verses, known as the "Song of Mary:" (Luke 1:43, 46-55)

 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

As I study her life and her unique parenting challeges, I am strengthened and I want to be more like her. I think Virginia U. Jensen said it best when she said of Mary, "Her faith, obedience, and humility set a standard for all women."

Boy Jesus in the Temple, by Grant R. Clawson

 The story of the Savior, at age 12 really got to me this week. I have heard this story many times, but there were some additional details that I did not realize until this week. Mary and Joseph were traveling home with family. They assumed that Jesus was with relatives but somewhere along the way, they realized he was not in the company of travelers.

As a mother, I have had moments when I realized my children were not with me, and that I had left them somewhere. This is a terrifying feeling and I am sure Mary was heartsick.
She and Joseph returned to find Jesus in the temple, teaching scholars about the gospel. She asked Jesus, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." To which He famously replied, "How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 1:48-49)

My favorite part of this story is in Luke 1:51, "but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart." Mary was in a unique position and must have been constanty amazed at her son, Jesus Christ. I love the reverence and the stillness in those words, she kept these experiences in her heart. She had so many spiritual experiences and an overwhelming love for this boy who was also her teacher and Savior. She pondered on these things and treasured them in her heart.

He has taught me and likewise shown me love and kindness. Sometimes I am weak and I do not understand. He is patient and teaches me and helps me understand. He is my advocate in every sense of the word. He reaches for me and lifts me. Like Mary, I treasure these sacred experiences in my heart. How wonderful it is to be loved by the Savior of the world! How wonderful to know that He knows me and is always there for me!