Cleave unto the Covenants

"Continuing, the Lord said: “Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and 

cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made”

I believe He is saying to each of us, be happy. The gospel is a thing of joy. 

It provides us with a reason for gladness. Of course there are times of sorrow. 

Of course there are hours of concern and anxiety. We all worry. 

But the Lord has told us to lift our hearts and rejoice. 

I see so many people, including many women, who seem

never to see the sunshine, but who constantly walk with storms 

under cloudy skies. Cultivate an attitude of happiness. 

Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, 

in the goodness of those you love, in the 

testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine."

President Gordon B. Hinckley

1992 Ensign

This gospel is a gospel of happiness. If we keep the commandments and endure to the end we are promised that we will be able to return to live with our Father in Heaven. While our time on earth is just a short blip in our story, there is no reason we shouldn't be happy while we endure it. The Lord has made covenants with us that give us the promise that we will be happy when we abide by those covenants. The Lord instructs Emma to cleave unto her covenants. More importantly, before that he tells her to lift up her heart and rejoice. Amidst all of the trials that she was experiencing the Lord required her to be happy and have joy. If the Lord expects this from Emma I know that He most definitely expects me to be happy. There is nothing that can happen to me that will justify me being unhappy. The Lord is at my side, always, and that makes me happy. President Hinckley instructs us to walk in faith. We have to have faith that even when times are rough that the Lord will see us through. Knowing that just makes me happy. How could it not?

Walk in The Paths of Virtue

President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a talk about virtue in the March 1992 Ensign. He spoke about the commandments that the Lord gave to Emma in Section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants.  The article is very powerful and should be read by every women of the church. The Lord was speaking to each of us when he gave this revelation to Emma. His words were carefully chosen with Emma's best interest in mind. This is what the Prophet had to say about it:

"Said the Lord to Emma, and to each of us:

“A revelation I give unto you concerning my will; and”.     UAdd a Note 

“If thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me”—those words might become the theme of a very long sermon. I shall comment only briefly.     UAdd a Note 

In very large measure each of us holds the key to the blessings of the Almighty upon us. If we wish the blessing, we must pay the price. A part of that price lies in being faithful. Faithful to what? Faithful to ourselves, to the very best that is within us. No woman can afford to demean herself, to belittle herself, to downgrade her abilities or her capacities. Let each be faithful to the great, divine attributes that are within her. Be faithful to the gospel. Be faithful to the Church. We have all about us those who are seeking to undermine it, to look for weaknesses in its early leaders, to find fault with its programs, to speak critically of it. I give you my testimony that it is the work of God, and those who speak against it are speaking against Him.

Be faithful to Him. He is the one true source of your strength. He is your Father in Heaven. He lives. He hears and answers prayers. Be faithful to God.

The Lord continued, saying to Emma, “If thou … walk in the paths of virtue.”     UAdd a Note 

I think every Latter-day Saint woman understands the meaning of that. I feel those words were given to Emma Smith, and consequently to all of us, as a condition to be observed if we are to receive an inheritance in the kingdom of God. Lack of virtue is totally inconsistent with obedience to the commandments of God. There is nothing more beautiful than virtue. There is no other strength that is greater than the strength of virtue. There is no other nobility equal to the nobility of virtue. There is no other quality so becoming, no attire so attractive."

Do you see what I mean? It's a powerful article. I think my favorite quote in this article is, "Lack of virtue is totally inconsistent with obedience to the commandments of God." If we, as women, want to be obedient to the Lord's commandments then we have no other option than to have strength in virtue. Just as the Lord told Emma, if thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve thy life, and thou shalt receive an inheritance in Zion. What a great blessing this is to us and what an even greater blessing it was to Emma at the time of the revelation. Emma was worried about her life and if she would survive the birth of her twins. The Lord knew her fears and reassured her that she would be okay if she would just follow His commandments. Emma was lucky to receive this revelation from the Lord. We are just as lucky to have these words to live by today.

http://lds.org/liahona/1992/03/if-thou-art-faithful?lang=eng

Emma Smith: A Mormon Woman of Faith

This is my favorite song from the Joseph a Nashville tribute CD. Emma is such a strong women. I hope in my life I can have the strength that she did to withstand any trial that came her way. Emma Smith never had an ordinary day but she "weathered every storm with a queen's grace." I want the same to be said about me when I leave this life.

"My Soul Delighteth in the Song of the Heart"

The Lord instructed Emma to "make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church." (D&C 25:11) Music is very important to the Lord. Sacred music invites the spirit into our lives and makes us happy. Elder Boyd K. Packer instructed us to:                                                                                                                        

                  "Make wholesome music of all kinds a part of your life. Then learn what sacred music has to do with revelation. The Lord said, “My soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads. Secular music may be inspiring in a classical or popular sense, but it will not prepare your mind to be instructed by the Spirit as will sacred music. The Apostle Paul counseled the Ephesians to “be filled with the Spirit;speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

Emma made a compilation of 90 hymns for the church in her time. She very carefully made her selection and had the hymns printed to be sung during church. Some of the selections that she made are still used in our modern day hymnbook, including, Redeemer of Israel,” “How Firm a Foundation,” and “Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah. My favorite part of my sabbath day is the hymns that we sing. The hymns bring a warm spirit into the room and help me to stay focused on what is important. I especially love the musical numbers that we get to hear every once in awhile. Through the talents of the people who are performing we are able to hear the quiet testimonies that He lives and loves us. It is such a wonderful blessing we have that we are able to hear and enjoy the music of the Lord and for the Lord.