Epiphany Beautiful

     ...The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
     No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
    By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
     Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
     That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
      Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
      The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:36; 41-45)

The above is a famous scripture in the LDS Church; it describes how people are to interact with each other. For some reason, these verses are usually applied particularly to men who formally bear the priesthood (LDS definition of Priesthood: Power of God delegated to man for the express and exclusive purpose of helping bring about His children's salvation), though I am of the very strong opinion that the instructions given here are not gender-specific or exclusive.

It struck me today, for perhaps the first time, that the scripture above is a description of how God acts towards us when we try and follow Him. He works through the same Priesthood power He delegates to His children; it seems clear to me now that He follows the same pattern He instructs us to follow.

I have written here before about how I have been recently reproved and taught; I had not expected, but can now testify of, the increase of love that the Lord is showing me. His faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death, whether that death is physical or spiritual.

It is and has been a blessed relief.

Isn't it amazing how life is made up of ten thousand, thousand little moments of experience, each and every day?