Friday, March 11, 2011

Forgin' some tools

I know that on multiple occasions in my blog that I have stated how much I love that we are called the “Chosen Generation”. I also know I have told you about my rant of our responsibility to the “Rising Generation”, but I haven’t actually ranted to ya’ll about it yet. Since this last week I have had some really cool and amazing insight on the subject, I’ve decided that today is the day to share.

OK my basic belief is simple, but I’ll expound on it a little, don’t you worry.

And it is simply this: We are called the “Chosen Generation” not because of our greatness, but because of who we will be raising! We are teaching the generation who will be here to herald the Saviors Second Coming. We are different and blessed so that we can prepare these kids, so they will be prepared for the Him.

Do we have a great responsibility? YES!!!

I feel very strongly that we need to better ourselves so that we can better our children. We have to prepare them against all that is happening and going to happen in this world. Our homes need to be built on a solid foundation, not a sandy one. Think of the Primary song, “The Wise Man Built His House Upon a Rock”. Our homes need to be a place of refuge, a place where the Gospel may be taught without interference from the evil one.

We need to do everything for these blessed children of God! We have been given the chance to help them succeed! Agency will play a role, it has since the beginning, but if we can teach and be a positive example of love, sacrifice, and service, we will be giving these kids the best chance for success. We as the “parents” or in my case, the aunt and primary teacher have the responsibility to learn all that we can and be willing to teach at every opportunity given! Learning about and applying faith, hope, and charity will be essential in these childrens future.

So now to tie it all in with "Findin' My Ore" with the cool and amazing insight I’ve received this week…

If you’ve read my first post and the interpretation of the scriptures in 1Nephi that started said blog, you will remember that Ore = Eternal Companion, Tools = Children, and Ship = Eternal Family. Let's talk about forgin' some tools! There is such a great importance in their creation. From the need to find and create them with the right “ore” to applying the right amount of pressure and heat, or “forging”, to give them their strength.

Hehe, this is going to be fun!

The thought came into my mind a few days ago that we will need to help the Lord in creating His Tools… those Tools that will help Him to accomplish His purpose. The purpose that will allow us to return to live with Him and our Savior. There is a definite distinction between the work that can be accomplished with a well made tool and a tool that isn’t made as well.

I see now that finding the right ore is essential! (Not that I didn’t know that before, it was just reaffirmed) Each tool will need to be made with the right metal combination. We should be similar enough that our ores will be able to combine and create the strongest metal possible so that the tool made will be more pure and the bonds will be strong and linked together as if they are one. Our faith and testimonies should be similar so that when the tools are forged, when the heat and the pressure come, the tool will be at its strongest and not have any weak points. They are not going to be all the same type of tool either. They shouldn’t have to be! If He didn’t have an array of tools at His disposal, the work would be a lot harder. Each of His tools will have a purpose!

We should have the desire to forge these tools so that when they are called up to be used in the Master’s hands, they will be a well made tool, a tool that has been strengthened because of the bonds of the ore that were brought together to form it. The process of forging should take time, otherwise the tool will be weak and the possibility of breaking will be greater. Remember though that the tools don’t just gain shape and strength immediately. We as “parents” need to make each hammer stroke, heat application, and final shaping with purpose and with love. We need to gently shape them from the beginning! Our ultimate goal with these tools should be that through the Refiners Fire of Jesus Christ they can be used in the “Master’s Hands”, being able to help accomplish His work.

See! I told you it was cool! And you can go even further with this analogy. I seriously love it! I love it, I love it, I love it!

Seriously Yo, I need to “Find My Ore”! *grin*

1 comment:

Megan said...

I'm catching up on your blog while Oliver is mad at me for taking away his breakfast when he dumped it. ;) I think he's over it, but he's playing by himself instead of demanding my attention.

You know, I had my own 1 Nephi revelation last week about being Chosen. I read the tender mercies scripture in the first chapter with Oliver and realized that by seeing tender mercies, that means I am chosen, and then in perusing Elder Bednar's talk I realized that the decisions I make are what make me chosen. I choose to be chosen. So, at the same time we are forging and preparing to raise the rising generation, we are also preparing ourselves.