Standing on the Lords Side of the Line

Today, I taught a lesson to the women at church about standing on the Lord's side of the line. We can see how close we are getting to the return of our Savior, (that probably won't be in December 21st this year), but we need to be deciding who's side we are on; no more straddling the fence.

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-george-albert-smith/chapter-18?lang=eng

What does that mean? It means we have to have a firm testimony of our Savior. We have to be willing to put Him first and trust that the commandments he has given us are for our good. He doesn't give us commandments because he wants to control us but he gives us commandments to bless our lives and help us find true happiness in a messed up world. His commandments are actually words of love and counsel to us. If we could view it that way it may help us to understand the need for these commandments in our daily lives.

It also means that we can't go to church on Sunday and then do worldly things after that saying, "at least I went to church today." That mentality will not get you very far in heaven. We have to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ our lives. Our choices need to reflect the good that the gospel brings in our lives. If we make righteous choices daily we will have made the decision to be on the Lord's side. Every time we keep and honor a commandment we are choosing to be on the Lord's side.

We aren't perfect but we can try to live the gospel the best we can. We don't give in to Satan's tricks. You know how he works, little by little. He convinces us to think that if we just do a few things wrong it won't hurt us but that is wrong thinking. One thing leads to another thing and then another thing, it doesn't stop unless we realize that we are heading the wrong way, then try to fix it, which can be very hard to do.

So we need to say now that we choose the Lord's side and give our best to Him by living the commandments that have been given to us out of his love for us. After all, His purpose is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). If that is the case then the commandments are for blessings and not punishments. Yes, there are consequences to our choices but we know all this before we make our choices. He makes it plain and clear in the scriptures that if we don't do it His way then this will happen, but if we do it His way then this will happen, it's our choice but we pay the price regardless.

I choose the Lord's side. Like Joshua I say, " Choose you this day whom ye will serve,... but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15) I love these words because there is no question about who's side you are on. Please make you decision today and stand firm and strong on the Lord's side.