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35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.–Matthew 25:35-40
This scripture offers a demanding way of seeing the world, a demanding way of living. But in addition to being demanding, it is also amazing. Because if every deed gives us an opportunity to minister to our master . . . well, that is an amazing opportunity indeed.
This scripture was quoted at least twice over the past two days of LDS General Conference (twice a year we gather to be taught by our prophet and the twelve apostles). I was thrilled to hear this scripture from pulpit and prophet because it has long been my favorite. I wish I could say that it is my favorite scripture because it is how I live my life, but that isn’t right. It is my favorite scripture because it is a picture of how I would like to live and who I would like to become.
Another thing discussed during General Conference was the importance of love. I know that I need to work on love, because “perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18). It is my fear (occasioned by my lack of love?) that makes it difficult for me to reach out to the stranger, the prisoner, and the homeless person. But I am not dead yet.
The final theme of General Conference that has impressed me thus far was the emphasis on the Holy Ghost and Personal Revelation. It is discouraging to wake from stupor and to hear someone talk about something that you have known, have done, have lived, and then have somehow forgotten (a lot or a little) and neglected. I remember the wonderful epistemology class I took from Chauncey Riddle as a freshman at BYU. He emphasized the importance of personal revelation as an avenue to knowledge, and the unique place it holds in our faith. We believe in a personal God, a God who hears our prayers and responds. A God who guides. I know that he does. So why do I forget to ask?
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3 Responses to “My Favorite Scripture”
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I agree it seems crazy to think one must receive a revelation, sort of speak, to realize that it is there and available to all. I wanted to comment on the ‘to cover or not to cover’- I had the same dilema and decided to not cover then had a ting of guilt for allowing the bounty of tomatoes to rot, I quickly justified it by telling myself something to the effect ” they will go the way of the earth and put nutrients into the soil,” it worked. Hee hee.
That is a scripture that makes us stop and think, doesn’t it? A book I think you would enjoy that I read lately that goes along with that scripture is “Same Kind of Different as Me,” a true story about an extremely rich international art dealer, his spiritually in-tune wife, and a sharecropper who’d never had a cent to his name, had been homeless and in jail, and how they became best friends. The two men alternate chapters, telling the story from their point of view. Great book, hard to put down.
Yes, there’s always help available, but we do need to remember to ask. The busy lives we create get in the way. Too much activity and noise and stuff, I guess.
Just read the article, “Bumping into each other in marriage” by Wally Goddard in Meridian Magazine (ldsmag.com) where he said, “I am confident that we live far beneath our spiritual privileges. God stands willing to give us far more than we know or receive (See D&C 78:17-19). In response to our calls for mercy, God may give us greater compassion, lighten our loads, open doors of opportunity—God is eternally creative!”