Sister Cheryl A. Esplin: The Sacrament - A Renewal for the Soul

I have to admit, I was a little distracted today. I kept thinking about all the little stressors that are a regular part of life. I wasn’t worried about anything too serious, but all these little things kept bothering me. I know I’m not the only one this happens to. But it is still more than a little annoying. I kept telling myself to relax when stupid things happened that made me more frustrated then they should have. 

As opposed to immediately turning to the scriptures, or prayer, I turned on the television and tried to relax. I recorded a cool Jane Austen spin off movie the other day, and I decided to watch it instead of doing something productive with my time. (It was called Murder at Pemberley for anyone who wants to know). I enjoyed the movie, but when it was over I still had all of my frustrations to deal with, as well as the additional frustration of not having had a productive afternoon. 

I think we, meaning me, get trapped in these loops. We have to decide to stop them and to refocus. Its not always easy, but Heavenly Father can help us. He will help us. We just have to let His spirit into our hearts. 

Eventually, with His help, I motivated myself to get back to work and to at least get my conference challenge completed for the day. It was actually a really good talk and a wonderful reminder of the love and mercy of Heavenly Father. Here are a few thoughts about it.

Sister Cheryl A. Esplin: The Sacrament- A Renewal for the Soul

Read or watch the full talk here

Sister Esplin starts her talk with a question. She asks how the Sacrament can be a “truly spiritual experience, a holy communion, a renewal for the soul?”

I appreciated her reminder that this can happen. but in order for it to happen, we have to actively listen to the Sacrament prayers. Sister Esplin reminds us that we need to use this weekly communion to recommit ourselves to our covenants.

We all make mistakes. No one is perfect. But each Sunday we can partake of the Sacrament and start again. 

She then made reference to a challenge that, if I am honest, is not easy for me. Sister Esplin quoted President Henry B. Eyring who said “that means we must see ourselves as His. We will put Him first in our lives. We will want what He wants rather than what we want or what the world teaches us to want.” 

Understanding and following Heavenly Father’s will has never been easy for me. I’m not a rebel and I don’t go out and commit horrible sins, but I do make mistakes and I do struggle to trust the promptings His spirit sends me. 

Usually, when I first receive a prompting, I begin to doubt that I have understood it correctly. Then, I begin to think that the prompting was just my own subconscious, a secret wish or desire. Sometimes I can get caught up in a loop of justification and doubt.  Before long the initial prompting has been forgotten and the opportunity to exercise obedience has been missed.

I am working on this. I will continue to work on it, as well as a lot of other things, for the rest of my life. But I haven’t given up. I know Heavenly Father is watching over me, and I know that He is helping me. 

Like Sister Esplin suggested, I will return to church each Sabbath and partake of the Sacrament again. I will continue to renew my covenants so that I can become closer to my Heavenly Father, both in spirt and in will.