Elder Tucker Shares some Thoughts from his Personal Scripture Studies...
In my studies in Alma 7:27 it says, “And now may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. Thus I have spoken, Amen.” I've talked in the past about Hell and now I'd like to talk about heaven and how we can experience a bit of it on this earth. I have heard talks from prophets about how they have seen heaven. How about when something really spiritual happens how heaven exists on earth. How we can experience heaven. In this scripture, as I understand, the peace of God as it says, I would describe to be Heaven. Now I've been in situations where things aren’t good. Where there are conflicts and arguments and I've had peace and I've been happy even though somebody might be yelling at me. And that comes from a few things.
In the scriptures I read that “according to your faith” and why faith is needed - because when we have faith in Christ, we know we are going to go through these hard things (and we know that that is going to happen sooner or later). So, we go through these hardships, we know why we go through them, and sometimes it might be harder to find out than others, but finding out is one of the best things we can do. Sometimes we might not know for years. It could be for somebody else. Know that Hell is overcome able. It's something that we are allowed to go through for our betterment, to become better people. But Heaven can also be granted in the mist of Hell, the peace of God.
As Nephi said; there's not going to be a challenge that we get that we cannot conquer; that He will provide a way through every challenge that He places in our path. As a result of that, we don't need to fear. When fear is gone, peace exists. Peace and fear are opposites. With that peace you can love people and this is Heaven. Heaven can be experienced in the midst of life's turbulent storms, in the darkest hours of night when the morning is closest, the dawn is coming. Also at the darkest time of night, the stars that have been placed for us are at their brightest. When the moon is bright enough to make shadows and illuminate the blades of grass when all lights are out there is always light, there is always joy and a way to experience heaven, or peace. Knowing that we can have heaven and hell does not excuse us from experiencing the hard times. I'd like to talk about this in the eternal perspective.
Can you imagine the best golf course you've ever seen? Absolutely beautiful, peaceful, calm. I want you to imagine practicing on that golf course for eternity and never, ever getting better than you are for eternity. Never getting better than you are currently. Your average will stay the same for eternity. When progression stops, that's also hell and that's what we want to help others avoid. To have progression, to have joy, to create, to make, to learn, to love, and all these come from progression. So, that's what I studied today. To know that when hard times come, you can still experience heaven on earth. There is a song that came to mind as I was sharing this with you. Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth
Home can be a Heaven on Earth when we are filled with love,
Bringing happiness and joy, rich blessings from above.
Warmth and kindness, charity, safety and security,
Making home a part of heaven, where we want to be.
Drawing family near each week, we'll keep love burning bright,
Serving him with cheerful hearts, we'll grow in truth and light.
Parents teach and lead the way, children honor and obey,
Reaching for our home in heaven, where we want to stay.
Praying daily in our home, we'll feel his love divine.
Searching scriptures faithfully, we'll nourish heart and mind.
Singing hymn of thanks, we’ll say, "Father, help us find the way
Leading to our home in heaven, where we long to stay."
In the scriptures I read that “according to your faith” and why faith is needed - because when we have faith in Christ, we know we are going to go through these hard things (and we know that that is going to happen sooner or later). So, we go through these hardships, we know why we go through them, and sometimes it might be harder to find out than others, but finding out is one of the best things we can do. Sometimes we might not know for years. It could be for somebody else. Know that Hell is overcome able. It's something that we are allowed to go through for our betterment, to become better people. But Heaven can also be granted in the mist of Hell, the peace of God.
As Nephi said; there's not going to be a challenge that we get that we cannot conquer; that He will provide a way through every challenge that He places in our path. As a result of that, we don't need to fear. When fear is gone, peace exists. Peace and fear are opposites. With that peace you can love people and this is Heaven. Heaven can be experienced in the midst of life's turbulent storms, in the darkest hours of night when the morning is closest, the dawn is coming. Also at the darkest time of night, the stars that have been placed for us are at their brightest. When the moon is bright enough to make shadows and illuminate the blades of grass when all lights are out there is always light, there is always joy and a way to experience heaven, or peace. Knowing that we can have heaven and hell does not excuse us from experiencing the hard times. I'd like to talk about this in the eternal perspective.
Can you imagine the best golf course you've ever seen? Absolutely beautiful, peaceful, calm. I want you to imagine practicing on that golf course for eternity and never, ever getting better than you are for eternity. Never getting better than you are currently. Your average will stay the same for eternity. When progression stops, that's also hell and that's what we want to help others avoid. To have progression, to have joy, to create, to make, to learn, to love, and all these come from progression. So, that's what I studied today. To know that when hard times come, you can still experience heaven on earth. There is a song that came to mind as I was sharing this with you. Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth
Home can be a Heaven on Earth when we are filled with love,
Bringing happiness and joy, rich blessings from above.
Warmth and kindness, charity, safety and security,
Making home a part of heaven, where we want to be.
Drawing family near each week, we'll keep love burning bright,
Serving him with cheerful hearts, we'll grow in truth and light.
Parents teach and lead the way, children honor and obey,
Reaching for our home in heaven, where we want to stay.
Praying daily in our home, we'll feel his love divine.
Searching scriptures faithfully, we'll nourish heart and mind.
Singing hymn of thanks, we’ll say, "Father, help us find the way
Leading to our home in heaven, where we long to stay."