The Affections of My Heart

This is the new scripture that I am thinking about lately:

Alma 37: 36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

I am intriguedby the line, :let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

Gene R. Cook used this scripture in a talk he gave on charity:

May the Lord bless us to always have “the affections of [our] heart … placed upon [Him] forever.” “That [our] burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son”

Marcus B. Nash, in his address, Cultivating Righteousness, said this:

We experience His love as we yield our hearts to Him (see Helaman 3:35), place the affection of our hearts on Him forever (see Alma 37:36), and love Him with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength (see Moroni 10:32).

I have never thought about the phrase "affections of thy heart" before. I think I was always more interested in verses 35 and 37, breezing over 36. But it has really made me think, are the "affections of my heart" on my Savior? I find that it can be so easy to consume my thoughts with my life, and all I have and want to "do."- I need to spend more time with the affections of my heart on my Savior. Easter is coming, and I am going to read the four gospels, to remind myself of all the Savior has done for me, focusing on my love for the Savior growing.

3 Nephi 12

Today I am in 3 Nephi, chapter 12- verse 44 made me think of the divided nation that we are at this time, just a short time before the election.

44. But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you.

Love those who steel your yard signs. Serve those who are voting no where you vote yes. Pray for our nation, and everyone in it.

My lumped up scripture

Every month I get to choose a new topic for my Book of Mormon class. Last Thursday I taught Helaman 5:12. Sometimes it is chapter, sometimes a group of chapters, sometimes a topic, and sometimes a verse. Any requests for next month? I am coming upon 3 Nephi 11 in my personal study- so I am considering that chapter.

Today- I am studying another way. Sometimes I like to look up all of the scriptures used in a good talk. The scriptures below were quoted or referred to in President Uchtdorf's talk he gave in the recent General Relief Society meeting. He chose a hand full of scriptures, it interests me to know which ones, and study them.

Isaiah 55:9

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Nephi 11:17

17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.

Moses 1:39

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

2 Nephi 2:25

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men c, that they might have joy.

D&C 46:11-12

11 For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.

12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.

D&C 81:5

5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

Mosiah 18:9

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

Matthew 23:11

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

D&C 90:24

24 Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.

D&C 6:20

20 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

I then make a lumped together scripture for myself:

The Lord has better perspective on my life than I do. I need to search out his will for me and trust him. He loves me. It is his goal for me to return to him. He wants me to be happy. The Lord has given me talents and gifts. He has given me these for me to serve others. I should look for those in my life who need a hand, and give it to them. Strengthen others, lift others up, and stand as a witness of God. ( I promise to do this every week as I partake of the sacrament.). Be service oriented in my thoughts and actions. I need to search the scriptures, pray always, have faith in Christ, and remember the covenants I have made. When I do this, all things will work together for my good. (I LOVE that promise.)