Like unto yourselves

Dear readers

A few weeks ago, my beloved country, in the land down under, began to hilariously, aggressively, and inexpicably, panic buy toilet paper. That is, we all started to stock up. To the point where many Australians could not locate any rolls. To the point where people began verbally abusing staff members, and at times physically fighting other local shoppers.

What a people we have turned into.

If you happened to donate something for our bushfire relief last season ... this is the people you gave it to. Haha.

During this time it was really, really easy to forget to look and care for others other than ourselves. Other than our immediate household and family members. It became really easy to ignore the elderly looking for their essential items in the shopping centre. It became too easy to over buy items.

Australian authorities had to actually step in and take measures to prevent people panic buying. Costco had “toilet paper tickets” - one per household. Most big chain grocery stores, perhaps all of them, introduced buying restrictions on flour, sugar and other items. Only two per customer.

Pensioners had a designated shopping hour every morning. Health care workers were very kindly given an exclusive designated shopping hour on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. It got to the point where if I walked into ALDI to buy some dog food — literally only dog food — on my way home from work, I got stares for being a health care worker. I realised later that it may have been because people were either scared I was carrying COVID-19 on me or because I didn’t do my shopping on a Thursday or Tuesday morning.

Even if looking for your family is your first priority, the whole general atmosphere that our society was brewing did not make it feel right. Not right at all.

I think Jacob, a prophet from the Book of Mormon, described the sort of atmosphere that we all should have been striving for.

Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you. 

It goes with the old saying, treat others the way you want to be treated. Yet Jacob takes it further. He says that we should give of our things freely that others may be rich like unto us. Maybe, in his society, that's exactly what they did. Maybe their community lived in a perfect Zion. Or perhaps, they at least strived to. It is what our Heavenly Father wants us to do -- and it is what The Church practices. We freely give 10% of our gross income which goes into Church funds and on top of that we pay generous fast offerings and other donations every month and these donations go directly to the poor that need it. There was a time in my life (won't share when) when I had to rely on those donations to keep a roof over my head.

Jacob goes on. 

But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. 

And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will week them for the intent to do good --to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.

                                                                                                                            Jacob 2:17-19

I believe that the general idea isn't that we give everything until we ourselves are downtrodden poor. The Lord does want us to be self reliant. But He also wants us to obtain riches for the purpose of giving back. The more we have, the more we give. And then the more blessings we receive.

During this time many businesses had to close down. Many, many people lost their jobs and still had debts to pay. Our Australian banks have allowed most payments to be temporarily withheld upon request. And this has helped significantly I’m sure with many households. But not everyone can survive financially and it’s been hard for those who have had to stop working. It’s been hard for those renting, and for landlords who rely on rent as income.

Yet this isn’t the first time that the Lords faithful saints have experienced huge financial debt. He gave these words to this early saints:

And again, verily I say unto you, concerning your debts--behold it is my will that you shall pay all your debts. 

And it is my will that you shall humble yourselves before me, and obtain this blessing by your diligence and humility and the prayer of faith. 

And inasmuch as you are diligent and humble, and exercise the prayer of faith, behold, I will soften the hearts of those to whom you are in debt, until I shall send means unto you for your deliverance.

Doctrine and Covenants 104: 78-80

Isn't that the blessing that you want? For deliverance from financial disaster and poverty?

But for those of us who yet experience such trials, our Lord is aware of who you are. He has provided a way for you to obtain peace even in this life. I recommend reading the whole talk. One couldn't rightfully criticise this next passage if they read the whole talk.

Lose yourself in the service of others. As Jesus said, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life … shall find it” (Matt. 16:25). If you are fed up with your life, if you feel an oppressive loneliness, if you feel you are of no worth, go out and look up somebody who is in worse condition than you are—and you will find very many of them. Read to the blind, read to the aged, help those in distress, comfort those who are in sorrow. Give a little of your substance to those who are in need. Share and the world will become a sweeter, more delightful place for you. “Look to God and live” (Alma 37:47). There is so much to be done that can be wonderfully rewarding. Link here: Gordon B Hinckley

Throughout all of this, many people have been frightened and scared. Many people have doubted God and allowed fear to control them. 

But not I. 

I once allowed fear to control me but then chose to overcome it with the strength and power and blessings that come from the temple of God. I am not afraid.

That's the miracle of believing in God. 

Even when the whole world goes to kaput, I can stay calm. Even when everyone else around me gives into their fear and panics, I can stay calm. Partially because, yes, I trust in God that everything will be okay, but also because ... I've been preparing for this.

I may have mentioned before. Throughout my life, Heavenly Father prepares me to be strong enough to face challenges. And He prepares you, too. But only if you're listening to Him. 

Written with love,

Eliza.

The Little Things

Initially written in January 2020.

Dear readers 

We all have weaknesses, and this is one of mine. When I called to be Oakhurst Ward Primary President, it was the first time in my life that I had deliberations on being extended a calling, because of this particular weakness.

I'm a very nervous person. When I feel something, I feel it strongly. It's part of my charm, I'm sure, but it's also a very strong weakness.

The member of the bishopric asked me how I felt about being extended this calling, and I have to tell you, I just did not know how to put into words that my high anxieties may prevent me from serving to the best of my capacity. I told him I was very forgetful, which is true.

He said to me, "Well, things these are easily fixed. For example, if you are forgetful, you could write things down so that you don't forget." And that, to me, was like an epiphany. I made plans in my head to get a weekly planner going again this year, write down the kid's birthdays, do this and that to be organised for primary, etc. I made plans to create my own personal goals for primary, and then sharing with my counsellors (who I hadn't called yet) exactly how we were going to achieve those.

And I felt good about it. It felt right. I told him my sister was a primary president. He said "Now I know we made the right choice." And I felt peace.

When I was asked to give a talk on Sunday, it was the first time that I ever felt nervous about giving a talk. I was clutched in the hands of anxiety, worried that I might say something wrong or something completely useless, or that I won't be spiritually equipped to speak by the power of the spirit. I have made all these mistakes before in public settings, and I did not want to taint my own new reputation as a very young and inexperienced primary president.

When I asked God, "why me?" it was not because I was complaining- it was because I was completely baffled. It was my 24th birthday when I was extended the calling, but I still felt like I was only still very young, I still felt (feel) like I haven't accomplished much in life. No degree, no full-time job, no babies, not even a completed tertiary education of any kind, no real travel adventures (er, missions don't count-pr maybe they do), practically no life experiences that makes me "qualify" to become an ecclesiastical leader on this level. But I know that callings are prayerfully considered before extended, particularly this one, because children may be the most difficult to look after. And I know that when the Lord agrees with your prayerful decision, He lets you know. In other words, as baffling as it is, the Lord did choose me to serve His children this way, and I may have a personal revelation to this answer which I won't divulge here, respectfully.

To every weakness, I believe there is an underlying strength. Similar to how opposites work together to make one unified front, I believe that to every weakness there is a strength. And to every strong quality we have, there is a weakness. I am a very forgetful person, I forget names, birthdays, faces. I forget conversations and tend to repeat myself over and over again, which you know, Lawrence just loves, lol. But you know what I am good at? 

I'm forgetful, yes, but I'm good at being thoughtful. I'm good at being sincere, I'm good at showing kindness and love. I may just forget your name. And...

I'm good at writing, lol. Not necessarily good as in "novel writing" or "professional please hire me" writing--although I wouldn't mind selling a book one day. But I mean, I write A LOT. 

In addition to this blog which I update weekly, I keep a personal journal. A lot of things that I mention on my blog, are filtered down cut-down versions of events and thoughts I've already written in my journal. I also keep a daily planner, a creative writing journal, and I annotate my study materials for scripture reading frequently. I also use the same journal to rewrite scriptures or principles of scripture that are soul-catching. Is that a lot of writing? That's sounds like a lot of writing to me. I suppose I love words as a way to compose my thoughts, to express myself, to help me remember and reminisce the good, bad, triumphs and regrets of my life. 

My anxieties have brought on a hidden talent that I'm sharing with the world through this blog.

It's the little things that counts towards my eternal progression. 

And I think the Lord knew this about me even when I was young. I'm not sure how the Spirit works for you, because although the principles are the same, it is fine-tuned to every person. When God communicates with me, when I ask God a specific prayer, He will answer it in words. And they are usually little words, too, not long scriptures or general conference talks. My personal revelation comes to me in words that enter into my mind, as if a person had whispered it into my mind and heart and it is quiet but it is all that I can hear because all other thoughts are gone. 

When I was young and wanted to know if the Book of Mormon was true, I was told, "Eliza, you already know it is true." 

One time I was on my mission, fasting with my companion, and while walking around, my companion said she thought we should change the plans and proselyte elsewhere. We took further steps forward and I was told by the Spirit, "Go this way." We taught a man outside his house. He received the first vision with seriousness, (you know they are listening when they ask questions to clarify the story), I asked this man, "Why did you agree to listen to us today?" And he said, "I had just asked God if he was there, and there you were, telling me that you had a message from Him, so I wanted to listen."

When I asked Heavenly Father if it was a good idea to meet my future husband in another state that I've never been to before, I was told "Why not?" And off I went.

When I asked God if I should marry Lawrence, he said, "Yes, but not yet." And so I waited until Lawrence proposed to me. And furthermore, I let him decide on an long engagement, because I knew that God wanted me to wait a little longer.

When we lost our first pregnancy, I visited the temple for answers and direction. I asked Heavenly Father if I should start trying again. He didn't really answer me. I was told, "Faith over fear." And that was exactly the right answer for me.

I'm not the best leader I've seen. I'm not the most spiritual person, not the most obedient or the most diligent. But I want you to know, that I am confident that I am trying my best. One mistake after another, one step at a time. And celebrating the little things.

Written with love,

Eliza.