Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
This post is all about sowing thoughts that will result in positive actions. When I was a missionary at the Missionary Training Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, our mission president at the time recommended we get up each morning and recite 3 Nephi 5:13 to our reflection in the mirror as a way to solidy our purpose while on our mission. It's amazing how doing that bolstered my confidence. Here are some additional faith-filled affirmations spoken by prophets that, when likened to us, will have a similar effect. So, let's make these statements, spoken by others, our own.
13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.
18 O Lord, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have [done] according as thou hast directed me.
7 I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
7 I [will fight] a good fight, I [will finish] my course, I [will keep] the faith:
3 And I...will not deny the Christ;
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?
46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.
36 I seek not for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country.
50 If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.
2 And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.
Also helpful are the 57 affirmations listed at the end of chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel, a Guide to Missionary Service. The affirmations are grouped according to several Christlike attributes taught in that chapter and are presented as part of a sort of personal survey of our spirituality. Lots of interesting things to ponder...
-Michael Whatcott