"Think It Not Strange..."

Week 12 (4/5/13) I&II Peter, I-III John, Jude

Well there was a lot of great scriptures within these two books that makes it really difficult to pick just one or two and discuss it.  I rather enjoyed reading Peter’s book in particular. It was interesting how direct and single principle based his epistles were. You could pretty much jump in at any point and be able to not worry about being in the middle of some long winded parable, but know what’s going on and be edified. Joseph Smith, a man I know to be the prophet of God who brought a simple question to our Heavenly Father and then began the gospels restoration, stated that “Peter penned the most sublime language of all the apostles”. My teacher pointed out that in his time, sublime meant “high, lofty, exalted, or grand”. Peter’s counsel for those going through trials is what stood out to me the most. Page 1549 in the LDS edition of the King James bible or I Peter chapter 4 verses 3-19 (so pretty much the whole chapter) is the best to read when you are enduring a trial. Peter tell you to “think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice” instead. Now easier said than done, however I feel that this attitude switch is something that we could work on continuously in our life. My brothers and sisters, if you are suffering through a trial, no matter how big or small, know that our heavenly father loves you and is mindful of you. He doesn’t not give us trials that we cannot overcome, and it is up to us to but our faith in him and put our shoulder to the wheel and simply carry on.  Pray for his comfort and help, and he will bless you more than you can imagine.