Alma 43 - Purpose, Proactive, Preparation

The stress of covid, being at home, politics, etc. really getting to me. I need the promised peace the gospel brings.

Sweet is the peace the gospel brings

To seeking mines and true

With light refulgent on its wings

It clears the human view.

I am presently reading the book of Alma and I am in the midst of the wars of the Nephites and the Lamanites. I will be searching for answers to my present concern: how do I find peace in a world that has lost its footings?

Alma 43:9 & 12 - PURPOSE

And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship God according to their desires.

And the Nephites would not suffer that they (the Anti-Nephi-Lehites) would be destroyed.

Purposeful living dictated how the Nephites responded to a threat of war. I found this quote today:

"A purposeful life is when you are moving towards a big goal in your life that aligns with your values, passions, and makes you happy."

The Savior said it this way in Matthew 6: 19-21:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Friedrich Nietzsche said, "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."

Viktor Frankl said it this way, "Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose."

Those thoughts all helped me to remind myself that I cannot control circumstances nor can I control other people. But I can control my response and I have an obligation to do so.

2nd Nephi 2:26

. . . and because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon. . .

I believe that peace is not just a feeling magically bestowed upon us but rather a result of living a purposeful life. Peace comes with integrity, with living your values. Peace doesn't come in the absence of conflict or adversity. It comes as a result of how we handle difficult times.

Sometimes we have to just "stay the course," stay true to our purpose, take care of ourselves, and count our blessings. Knowing I have a Father in Heaven who knows me and loves me (and knows and loves every other human also) makes me feel safe.

Alma 43:18 - PROACTIVE + PREPARATION

And it came to pass that he (Moroni) met the Lamanites in the borders of Gershon, and his people were armed with swords, and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war.

Being proactive means I must accept responsibility for my own well-being. (Act and not be acted upon) my emotional well-being is tied to food, exercise, getting outside, and connecting to friends and family! My spiritual well-being depends on quiet time; time for scriptures, prayer and journaling. My intellectual well-being demands that I am reading, learning and trying to make a difference. "Leave the world a little better than you found it." In order for these things to happen, I need to prepare. Preparation, making a plan, helps me to use my time wisely. I eat healthier when I plan and fill the kitchen with good foods. My kayak stays in the van now so I can easily head down to the river. The nice part of staying home during the pandemic is that I am not over committed so finding quiet time is easy right now.

And since we home a lot, I have plenty of time for reading. I'm currently reading the book "How to be an Anti-racist"by Ibram X. Kendi and joining with Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) to push for safe access to voting this November.

These activities all coincide with my purpose - to serve God and man and to remain a positive influence in my family.

When I don't prepare I begin to fall into daily doldrums and depression sets in. During this pandemic, being proactive and preparing helps me stick to my purpose and makes this time meaningful.