The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship

I thought I would begin with letting you watch/listen to the talk that was the subject of today's lesson. Sister Hawkins did a great job in tying together two talks about discipleship. The other talk was from 2006 April conference, given by Pres. Faust. You might want to look that one up as well.
"Be strong. Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don’t live it at all." I think we have all had the opportunity to fulfill this challenge. In this worldly area, it is quite easy to be the only LDS person which means we can stand for truth and right without even having to look for the chance. We may be called upon to defend our faith at any time and even experience some slight abuse as others might scoff at what we hold dear. Elder Holland says for us to be courageous and courteous.
"For example, a sister missionary recently wrote to me: “My companion and I saw a man sitting on a bench in the town square eating his lunch. As we drew near, he looked up and saw our missionary name tags. With a terrible look in his eye, he jumped up and raised his hand to hit me. I ducked just in time, only to have him spit his food all over me and start swearing the most horrible things at us. We walked away saying nothing. I tried to wipe the food off of my face, only to feel a clump of mashed potato hit me in the back of the head. Sometimes it is hard being a missionary because right then I wanted to go back, grab that little man, and say, ‘EXCUSE ME!’ But I didn’t." I think that if we seek the Spirit for guidance, he can be the turning element that can help us decide if we should respond to defamation or if we should walk away. No matter what the decision, we should remember that we do so courteously, acting as opposed to reacting.  We know that there are countless people in the history of this world who have withstood rejection and paid a painful price for honoring God and preaching his truths.
If we "take upon us the cross", we are to work on self mastery, keeping the commandments and defending our faith. Being a disciple means we are a pupil of Jesus Christ, a follower who practices and exercises faith in the Lord daily.
 "So here we have the burden of those called to bear the messianic message. In addition to teaching, encouraging, and cheering people on (that is the pleasant part of discipleship), from time to time these same messengers are called upon to worry, to warn, and sometimes just to weep (that is the painful part of discipleship). They know full well that the road leading to the promised land “flowing with milk and honey”⁶ of necessity runs by way of Mount Sinai, flowing with “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots." How often do we forget that part of the journey may not be quite what we think it should and we rail against it? We must go by way of Mt. Sinai so that the arrival will be so much the sweeter!
I have to include this quote about Abinadi- - -" Unfortunately, messengers of divinely mandated commandments are often no more popular today than they were anciently, as at least two spit-upon, potato-spattered sister missionaries can now attest. Hate is an ugly word, yet there are those today who would say with the corrupt Ahab, “I hate [the prophet Micaiah]; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always [prophesied] evil.”⁸ That kind of hate for a prophet’s honesty cost Abinadi his life. As he said to King Noah: “Because I have told you the truth ye are angry with me. … Because I have spoken the word of God ye have judged me that I am mad”⁹ or, we might add, provincial, patriarchal, bigoted, unkind, narrow, outmoded, and elderly." It doesn't hurt us to take personal inventory occasionally to see where we are in regards to what our prophets tells us to do. Can we take a little criticism and turn it to good?
We should stay clear of sin, not tamper with it or think we can touch it and not get anything on us. We are told that we shouldn't even think about breaking the commandments for if we do, we have broken them in our hearts. Don't lose heart though, for that is why we have the principle of repentance and the sacrament!
With all the violence in this world being blamed on God, we can do our part by keeping the commandments and living with the true love of Christ as our guide. Christ tells us to come unto him, all that are heavy laden and he will bring us rest. What do you carry that could be laid at his feet? If we desire to follow the Savior, he will always be there to help us carry our load.
" President Thomas S. Monson will point you toward the path of Christian discipleship. It is a strait path, and it is a narrow path without a great deal of latitude at some points, but it can be thrillingly and successfully traveled, “with … steadfastness in Christ, … a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men."
As Brother Holland states in finishing his thoughts, if we will stay the course, we will find safety against the ill winds."  "Hold to the rod" sisters. Never let go and if you slip come right back to the Savior.
Your bloggess,
Janice