My Thoughts

John 7:17

If any man will do his will, 

he shall know of the doctrine,

whether it be of God,

or whether I speak of myself.

Originally, I wanted to do Ether 12:6 "...dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." 

However, I ended up liking the verse I chose more because it gives me something to act on that will let me know, whereas enduring a trial of faith feels a little more passive. Not that it is. Certainly a trial of faith would require acting on that faith since "faith without works is dead." (James 2:26) But John 7:17 I feel is quite concrete. 

If you want to know if something comes from God, do it. Test it out and you will see. 

Of course I have been on this train of thought because of a minor upset in the LDS public image. Not that public image is a huge matter of concern (remember those laughing and mocking from the great and spacious building?) but it has been hard to see the dissension and dispute associated with it. I grieve for those who have a weaker testimony or who have left the Church completely and are struggling to make sense of these things. 

When you look at me from the outside, it might be easy to assume that I've never had my doubts or struggles with the Church. I was baptized at 8 years old and have attended all my life. Now I am resolute in my belief and defense of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am sure many out there would assume that I adhere to blind obedience, and cannot think for myself or have never really doubted. This is not true.

After I got married and moved out of my parents house, I went through my own questioning phase. (I should mention this had nothing to do with my husband. He was a wonderful support to me and his faith remained unshaken. It was simply a natural progression in my own spirituality that would have happened regardless of my circumstances.) 

I had a time where I embraced the philosophies of men and sought them out. I appreciated and related to them more than I did that of my parents' faith. I assumed that the Church was old-fashioned and archaic and that it wasn't taking into account the times that we lived in. 

Not that I assumed it could or would ever change. I knew enough about the organization and principles behind the Church to know that they believed that God was at the helm and nothing would change from lobbying or from popular opinion. My choices were to accept it wholeheartedly or to leave and seek something better. The Church would never mold itself to the desires of man. 

I never stopped attending, but it was nevertheless a time of internal rebellion for me. I was frequently caught up in "causes" and "equality" etc. etc. I was full of anger and indignation much of the time. I was excessively pessimistic and misanthropic.

However, after some time (several years) as I continued allying myself with various trains of thought, I began to frustrate myself with the inconsistencies of these theories. Many of them were fully at odds with one another. Try as I might, I simply could not get them to work harmoniously together. 

I don't know when this scripture entered into my thoughts, but it has stuck with me firmly ever since:

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Ephesians 4:14)

It's an impartial thought, you have to go and read more of the chapter to get the whole picture, (hint: the Church was created to help protect against this situation!) but the phrase "carried about with every wind of doctrine" was so indicative of the confusion and upset I was experiencing trying to make sense out of the philosophies of the world. 

I also came to the realization that my anger and indignation were not born of the Spirit and that the contention that plagued my heart was an indication of the presence of the adversary.

I started my return to the Gospel, but had hiccups along the way. At one point, irritated about some point or another in the day to day organization of the Church, I considered doing "church at home" which is rather like homeschooling, but for religion. I emailed a cousin of mine who is very much a DIY type and homeschools her own children asking about what would be wrong with such a thing. 

It took some time to digest everything she said, but I chose to act on it in faith and I can say now that I have a firmer testimony of the Church and its organization than I ever have had at any point in my life. 

I went through my time of questioning and struggling, and I am glad that I did. I feel like it gave me a chance to inoculate myself against some ideas and thoughts that are coming up in full force now. If I hadn't questioned and doubted and overcome at that time, I may now be swept away in a current that would be too strong for me to overcome. 

I look forward to the time when all will be understood and all truth will be circumscribed in one great whole. I do not believe it is possible with the philosophies of men, but only through the Gospel and the revelation of a just and merciful God. 

Here is part of my cousin's letter for those interested in why home-churching is not the way to go for LDS families: (I have removed or edited some identifying information.)

"The following are some points to think about concerning church at home. It is not an indictment against anyone, it's just what church policy is and why it is. I'm going to speak very plainly, so hopefully it won't be too blunt or harsh.
First off, I understand the desire that not having 'one more thing to do each week' brings. Sometimes it seems like there are always just a few more things that have to be done and that in turn adds up to a lot of busy-ness which makes you want to cut things out. On that note, church isn't the thing to be cut out.
Your home has no authority to officiate a church. Yes, you can have the Melchizedek Priesthood in your home, and your husband can give blessings for comfort and healing the sick, but you have NO Priesthood authorization for blessing babies, baptism, confirmation, or sealing in your home because you want to. The priesthood gives the husband the authority to perform ordinances but the authorization to do so must come from the presiding authority associated with that ordinance. Baby Blessing and Baptism come from the Bishop, Confirmation from the Stake President, Endowment and Sealing from the Prophet. We've blessed all of our children at home because of various reasons, and each time we've had to get permission from the Bishop to do so and a member of the bishopric was present to preside over the ordinance. Likewise, when I was baptized, I got to do my baptism in another state. My Bishop had to do all my interviews and then sign a form so I could present that form to the Bishop there showing I was worthy and ready to be baptized and my father was worthy and authorized to exercise his authority in the Melchizedek Priesthood for that ordinance. Look at Numbers 3:10 and look at the footnotes, specifically footnote C. It states that Aaron and his sons are appointed to administer the priesthood (in the office of Bishop) and those that presume to try and preside as they do will be punished.
The Church is where the authority of God lies. There is no way you can have that authority in your home. It is the hierarchy and authority set out by God and given to Moses in the Old Testament. The Children of Israel were organized by their Tribe for responsibilities, but they were also organized into smaller groups to make administering and teaching easier. Moses wasn't able to personally administer to all the things/queries/issues that came up. He tried, and that was all he did. He couldn't administer to the Spiritual side of life. When he took that problem to God, Moses was told to organize Israel (The Church) like a tent. The tent is the Church, but the tent is made secure by stakes and the stakes are held into place by pegs.  Each Ward is the pegs, the Stakes are the stakes and the Church is the entire structure. (Numbers Chapter 2) Each Tribe is organized around the Ark of the Covenant, and then each Tribe was further organized and administered by Captains. The Captains administer to the needs of the families under his care.
Although they are sometimes hard to see, there are some wonderful blessings to gathering as a church on a weekly basis. Socialization with those that have similar beliefs. A support network for like minded people. And church is where many LDS people meet and make friends especially when they live outside of the Idaho/Utah church lifestyle.
While we as a church are willing to help our non LDS neighbors and people around the world, that help comes much more quickly and effectively if you regularly attend church because imperfect people like to help people more when they know you and socialize with you on a regular basis. The Church has a structure in place for helping those in need and hopefully helping before the need becomes too great. That is part of why you have the Relief Society Organization, Visiting Teaching, and Home Teaching. It allows you to learn of needs in a much more personal way, giving you the opportunity to serve. Likewise, the structure of the church allows for quicker responses to emergencies. Wardhouses become centers of operations, and through the auxiliaries they can check on people in the ward and report to the Bishops, who then report to the Stake Presidencies on up to make sure all members are accounted for. When the Tsunami hit Japan, they knew in less than 48 hours where all the Members were because of this system. Likewise, when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf area in the US, members organized under their respective Wards and Stakes to help with the cleanup efforts, distributing Disaster Relief and Medical help.
You get benefits by helping others. If you don't go to church, you won't know if there are service projects, someone needing specific help or a cleanup effort or disaster relief going on. You get benefit from serving. You don't give service just for someone else's benefit, it also is for you. Your children learn from the example of service that you set and learn that service is a good thing. Even when it's hard, they learn the principles of hard work, finishing a project, and the satisfaction of a job well done. 
One of the benefits with gathering with the Saints is you get differing points of view and testimonies by going to church. Other people will be stronger in different gospel principles than you will, so they can strengthen and uplift you where you are weak. Likewise you can strengthen and uplift them with your testimony in areas they are weak. You have the added benefit of having the knowledge of different presiding authority to correct incorrect doctrine that someone may share as gospel truth even though it isn't. That would be incorrect traditions of their father's creeping in, but proper authority can admonish and dispell incorrect traditions so people can learn further gospel teachings. I've been in multiple Wards where this has happened, and it is amazing what you learn from the gentle correction of a presiding authority.
The greatest ordinance that can happen to you on this earth is the Sealing ordinance. You cannot do that at home, on your own. It can only happen through the Sealer at the Temple, and he is called by the Brethren to do this Sacred work.
The LDS Church has the authority of God on Earth.  That is one of the greatest distinctions between us and every other religion in the world.  If you separate yourself from the LDS church to do church in your home on a regular basis, then you have no better chance of salvation than any other incomplete organization, and likely a worse chance since you had the truth at hand and rejected it.
This is also a reason why we learn line upon line, precept upon precept. In the New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants, it talks about milk and meat. I'm sure you're familiar with the principle. You have to learn the lesser or lower laws before you can learn and participate in the higher laws. That is why the ordinances are voluntary. An Endowed person is no better than a person who has only been Baptized. They are two people who are in different points in their personal progression. That is why it is so important to help eachother learn and grow in the Church. You never know where someone is in their learning and we all need to help eachother learn correct doctrine and principles.
One of the reasons why people are interested in home churching is because they know they are missing something in the previous churches they have attended and they don't know what it is. They are looking for correct doctrine and principles to draw them closer to Christ and His true church. After realizing they haven't found it in any of the churches they have gone to, and for whatever reason they don't decide to investigate our church, they usually decide to gather with just their family or a couple like minded families to worship at home. Since they can't find the authority of the priesthood in any church but ours, and since their husband's do not have the priesthood conferred upon them by a proper authority, they try to do the best they can without having any of the saving ordinances of the Gospel.
One thing to remember about Priesthood authority is how much Satan wants it and wants to corrupt that authority with anyone he can. He will try and tempt you with things that are similar to what is right, but trying to get you to ignore the other parts of what makes the correct thing right. Temptation comes in a form of godliness, but rejecting the authority of God. Satan is the master at saying "Look at this here, it is wonderful, you don't have to worry about anything, just do what I say." But when you question him and ask "What about this over here? Doesn't this play into that?" He tells you to ignore it because it is easier that way. It's one of his tricks to divert the righteous away from the truth. It's easier to swallow a lie that is based in a bit of truth than to swallow an out and out lie. That is why he is so effective.
Non-Religious. It gives you structure to your Sunday. Going to church alleviates the bordom of a day with no commitments or structure to it. At first it's great, but then you grow tired of it over time. Then people start filling their Sundays with odds and ends and occasional dinners out or quick shopping trips. Then they are not keeping the Sabbath Day holy. I know that during the Winter, when I have had kids sick multiple weeks in a row, I get very stir crazy about going to church. It gives structure to your week, and it is a wonderful way to set the tone for each week. When I miss a Sunday, the days of the week tend to run together and I feel as if I can't get on top of the things I need to accomplish for that week.
Church is something to look forward to because you can see your friends at church. Not all your friends are in your Ward, but I'm betting you have some friends there. When the Church draws up Ward boundaries, they always try to not split a street of houses facing eachother so people will be in the same Ward as their nearest neighbors. It builds tighter Ward Families, stronger neighborhoods, and closer friendships that way. Another reason for gathering as a Ward Family and meeting at Church is most people have Sundays off work so they get a day without the Saturday obligations of house and yard to spend with family.
Read Boyd K. Packer's talk in this last Conference (April 2013), These Things I Know. At first it seems short and not a lot to it, but dig a little in it, look for the deeper meaning, you'll find a wealth of knowledge inside it. Even in the poem at the beginning. At first, I read the poem and it was okay, but then I broke it up into the stanzas and really started looking for the meaning. It talks about not trading knowledge and understanding for youth so that in the end, when you are before Christ, you can say without a doubt that you know these things. It was a wonderful talk to read.
Here are some of the things the Church has said about the relationship between the Gospel and the family. In the Church Handbook of Instruction, Volume 2 it says the following:
1.1.4
As Part of our Heavenly Father's plan, we were born into families. He established families to bring us happiness, to help us learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and to prepare us for eternal life.
Parents have the vital responsibility to help their children prepare to return to Heavenly Father. Parents fulfill this responsibility by teaching their children to follow Jesus Christ and live His Gospel.
1.1.5
The Church provides the organization and means for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to all of God's children. It provides the priesthood authority to administer the ordinances of salvation and exaltation to all who are worthy and willing to accept them.
1.2.2
Priesthood and auxiliary leaders and teachers strive to help others become true followers of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 18:18-30.) To assist individuals and families in this effort, they:
   1. Teach and testify of the pure doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
   2. Strengthen individuals and families in their efforts to keep their sacred covenants.
   3. Provide counsel, support, and opportunities for service.
In addition, certain priesthood leaders have the authority to oversee the performance of the saving priesthood ordinances.
1.4 The Home and the Church
In the teachings and practices of the restored gospel, the family and the Church help and strengthen each other. To qualify for the blessings of eternal life, families need to learn the doctrines and receive the priesthood ordinances that are available only through the Church. To be a strong and vital organization, the Church needs righteous families.
God has revealed a pattern of spiritual progress for individuals and families through ordinances, teaching, programs, and activities that are home centered and Church supported. Church organizations and programs exist to bless individuals and families and are not ends in themselves. Priesthood and auxiliary leaders and teachers seek to assist parents, not to supersede or replace them.
Priesthood and auxiliary leaders must endeavor to strengthen the sacredness of the home by ensuring that all Church activities support the lives of individuals and families. Church leaders need to be careful not to overwhelm families with too many Church responsibilities. Parents and Church leaders work together to help individuals and families return to our Father in Heaven by following Jesus Christ.
 1.4.3
Strengthening Individuals
Church leaders should give special attention to individuals who do not presently enjoy the support of a family of strong Church members. These members may include children and youth whose parents are not members of the Church, other individuals in part-member families, and single adults of all ages. They are covenant members of God’s eternal family, deeply loved by Him. These individuals should be given opportunities for service in the Church. The Church can provide wholesome sociality and fellowship that these members can find nowhere else.
Every member of the Church is as precious as every other. God’s eternal plan provides for all of His faithful children to receive every blessing of eternal life, exalted in families forever.
I hope this helps, I'd love to discuss it further if you have more questions."

Why I Chose This Verse

John 7:17

If any man will do his will,

he shall know of the doctrine,

whether it be of God,

or whether I speak of myself.

I chose this verse because it is no secret that there is increasing dissension about the Church. As the standards of the world continue to deviate from the standards of God this will only increase. I chose this verse as a reminder to myself that if I want to know the truth of any particular aspect of the Church, I need to make an effort to test the doctrine in faith and seek first hand confirmation in it's truth. Outside sources and intellectual reasoning will not be sufficient to really know.

Cross Reference

John 7:17

If any man will do his will,

he shall know of the doctrine,

whether it be of God,

or whether I speak of myself.

do:

TG Good Works

TG Obedience

will:

TG God, Will of

know:

TG Discernment, Spiritual

TG Testimony

TG Truth

He Shall Know of the Doctrine 

By Elder Kenneth Johnson

Of the Seventy

"It is only in doing the will of the Lord that we come to know of a surety the eternal value of gospel principles.

He Shall Know of the Doctrine

How do we judge the value of the gospel in our lives? Do we really appreciate our indebtedness to the Savior? In exploring my own feelings, I often ponder the scriptures. Is my interest motivated in the same way as those of whom we read in John?

“When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

“And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?” (John 6:24–25.)

The Joseph Smith Translation of John 6:26 offers this insight:

“Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye desire to keep my sayings, neither because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled” (emphasis added).

...

Many who witnessed the Savior during his mortal ministry had only a superficial understanding of what he did and who he was. This is substantiated by an incident that followed Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand:

“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

“Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

“And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?” (Matt. 13:54–56.)

It would appear that many who associated with Jesus saw him as a great miracle worker or teacher but not as the Son of God. How do we progress, then, to real understanding? I believe the answer is revealed in the words of the Savior to the Jews: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17).

I am grateful that I was brought up in a home where Christian values were taught and observed, although without benefit of the knowledge of the restoration of the gospel. Later, as I was invited to explore the message of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, each new doctrine required deep consideration, often resulting in a change of lifestyle. But those changes did not come about as a result of passive belief or mere intellectual assent. The proof was in the doing, in the exercise of faith. As I learned and tested gospel principles new to me, I invariably found them to be true.

...

President Heber J. Grant often quoted the saying “That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do; not that the nature of the thing is changed, but our power to do is increased” (Bryant S. Hinckley, Heber J. Grant: Highlights in the Life of a Great Leader, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1951, p. 49).

Each new principle of truth implemented in our lives combines in a culminating testimony of the divine source of that truth. President Brigham Young expressed his belief that “every principle God has revealed carries its own convictions of its truth to the human mind” (Journal of Discourses, 9:149). My experiences as I grew in the gospel bore out these statements about learning eternal truths, especially the relationship between obedience and testimony, on doing and knowing.

...

This transition within ourselves is described in the words of the Savior to the Jews, recorded in John 8:31–32: “If ye continue in my word [I suggest that one could interpret this to mean, “If ye continue to live in harmony with my doctrine”], then are ye my disciples indeed;

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” These words reinforce the relationship between doing and knowing.

To me there is an analogy between engaging in a physical fitness program and applying and knowing about gospel principles in our lives. When we regularly engage in physical activities, the benefits may not be dramatically apparent. However, when illness, injury, or lack of desire interrupt our fitness programs for a prolonged period, we experience great difficulty in regaining the level of fitness we previously enjoyed.

Some become so discouraged that they do not persist but settle for a lesser level of fitness.

This can be true of living in harmony with gospel principles. The benefits may not always be noticeable, and this may cause some to question the reality of the doctrine and thus to lose faith and discontinue Church activity. Those who work their way back to spiritual fitness usually discover a greater appreciation for the gospel. Others slip away, and walk no more with the Lord.

...

Possibly there are doctrines that may not be easily tested in practical terms. Nevertheless, I believe the key that opens the way to our personal understanding of the plan of salvation, with a personal assurance regarding the blessings of the Atonement of the Savior in our own lives, is found by faithful adherence to gospel principles.

There is another truth regarding the relationship of doing (being obedient or keeping the commandments) and knowing (having the truth of the gospel made known to us through our application of it). This additional truth concerns the Lord’s practice of testing our hearts and minds relative to our new knowledge. He does this so that through our overcoming a trial, we will, in a sense, have the truth of the gospel indelibly stamped upon our souls. Our understanding and our heart become further purified, almost as gold—and our inner surety after having our trials will be rich. For example, the Lord instructs Mormon to not put certain information on the plates that we were to receive in the last days because it “is expedient … to try their faith, and if it so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them” (3 Ne. 26:9).

The story of Job is the story of one who learned through this process in his own life. He was stripped of all that would seem to be precious. But through living righteously during his period of testing, he discovered something even more precious: God “knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

A testimony of the restored gospel is like a fabric with divine doctrine and eternal principles woven together to create a vision of such exquisite beauty that only those who follow the prescribed pattern of doing it—that is, of living the gospel—may discover its truths.

No other means can fully develop the potential of the human soul. As we do the Lord’s will, we really can know of the truth of the doctrine, and after our faith and trust have been tried, our personal knowledge will, as ourselves, “come forth as gold.” "

 

In Context

John 7:17

If any man will do his will,

he shall know of the doctrine,

whether it be of God,

or whether I speak of myself.

This verse takes place after Christ's ministry had started up and people started taking note of him. He had already performed several miracles, and secured his disciples. He had spoken of his divine Sonship as well as had the testimony of John the Baptist and Peter that he was the Messiah. 

The chapter heading summarizes chapter 7 as follows:

"Jesus' kinsmen believe not--He teaches his Father's doctrine and proclaims his divine Sonship--Truth may be known through obedience--He offers living water to all men--Divers opinions concerning him."

In verse 4, Jesus' brethren ask him to effectively prove that he is who people say he is, because they do not believe in him. They say, "If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world." 

Jesus responds that the time has not come to do so, and speaking about the world makes this very telling statement, "but me it [the world] hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." (verse 7)

Everyone leaves for the feast of tabernacles, which Jesus attends in secret. 

It turns into a gossip session with everyone discussing where he is, and what they think of him. "And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people." (verse 12)

When he goes up to the temple to teach, they marvel, wondering how he can do so having never learned. 

At this point, Jesus proclaims that the doctrine is not his, but the Father's. 

This verse then occurs, where he tells them they can test the source of his words by practicing obedience to them. 

He speaks of Moses' Law and their failure to keep it. 

They recognize that he is the man whom some have sought to kill. They seek to lay hands on him, but are unable as the time had not yet come for that. 

The people are divided concerning him.

What's Your Verse?

John 7:17

If any man will do his will,

he shall know of the doctrine,

whether it be of God,

or whether I speak of myself.

My Thoughts

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ

which strengtheneth me.

I already shared a Conference talk related to my verse yesterday, but I love this one too much not to share as well:

“The Great and Wonderful Love”

Anthony D. Perkins
Of the First Quorum of the Seventy

"Children in pure faith proclaim, “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” ¹ But sometimes youth and adults do not feel the power of this simple declaration.

Satan is the “enemy to all righteousness”; ² thus he plants doubts about the nature of the Godhead and our relationship with Them. Jesus Christ prophesied that in the last days even the very elect would be deceived. ³ Consider three examples of how Lucifer is “laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God.” ⁴

The snare of false inadequacy. A faithful young person feels unable to meet the expectations of others. At home and school, she is rarely praised and often criticized. The popular media tells her she is not beautiful enough or smart enough. Every day this righteous sister questions whether she is an individual worthy of Heavenly Father’s love, the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, or the Spirit’s constant guidance.

The snare of exaggerated imperfection. An outstanding missionary feels incapable of meeting the expectations of God. In his mind, this worthy elder imagines a stern Heavenly Father bound to irrevocable justice, a Savior capable of cleansing others’ transgressions but not this elder’s own, and a Holy Ghost unwilling to accompany an imperfect person.

The snare of needless guilt. A middle-aged woman is a devoted mother, a loving friend, a faithful Church servant, and a frequent temple patron. But in her heart, this sister cannot forgive herself of sins committed years ago that she has repented of and fully resolved with priesthood leaders. She doubts that her life will ever be acceptable to the Lord and has lost hope of eternal life in Heavenly Father’s presence.

If you have any thoughts and feelings similar to these good Saints, I invite you to become as a little child and feel again “the great and wonderful love made manifest by the Father and the Son in the coming of the Redeemer into the world.” ⁵ Childlike faith in the perfect love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will “divide asunder” ⁶ Satan’s snares of inadequacy, imperfection, and guilt.

Proverbs teaches, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” ⁷ May I suggest—in addition to consistent prayers, scripture study, and Church and temple attendance—five changes to your thoughts and heart to more fully feel the tender love of God.

First, see yourself as a precious child of a loving Father in Heaven. Our children with confidence sing, “I am a child of God, and he has sent me here.” ⁸ Little children feel and know what perhaps you have forgotten. You are the beloved son or daughter of Heavenly Father, created “in his own image,” ⁹ and of immense value—so much so that Jesus Christ gave His life for you.

God the Father is merciful and has infinite love for you despite your faults. Only the voice of Satan will cause you to feel of no value. In contrast, the Holy Ghost will cause you to feel “godly sorrow” ¹⁰ unto repentance in a manner that fills you with hope of positive change.

When you feel worthless, “remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” ¹¹ Refrain from repeatedly thinking or saying negative words about yourself—there is a clear difference between humility and humiliation. Identify and use your unique talents rather than dwelling on your weaknesses.

Second, place your burdens on Jesus Christ. When you feel overwhelmed by expectations and challenges, do not fight the battle alone. Follow the example of small children, and drop to your knees in prayer.

Jesus Christ has commanded us, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” ¹² Doubt, fear, and worry indicate we have taken all of life’s burdens and anxieties on ourselves. When plagued by thoughts that you are inadequate, confidently say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ¹³ Then as you “cheerfully do all things that lie in [your] power,” ¹⁴ you can rest assured that the Lord will do the remainder and things will work out all right.

The Savior promised, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ¹⁵ As you “cast [your] burden upon the Lord,” ¹⁶ you will feel the peace of the Spirit. ¹⁷

Third, forgive yourself of sins and imperfections.  

...

Fourth, sustain hope of eternal life.  

^... 

Fifth, find joy each day.  

...

I testify of Heavenly Father, who in great and wonderful love reaches out to each of His children. I bear witness of Jesus Christ, who is “mighty to save” ²⁹ us from our inadequacies, imperfections, and sins. I bear testimony of the Holy Ghost, who will accompany the imperfect yet penitent soul. To you faithful and worthy Saints who struggle with latter-day snares of the devil, ³⁰ “may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son.” ³¹ In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

I have been struggling with feelings of inadequacy. I don't know how I will ever realize the expectations I have for myself, to say nothing of the admonition to "be ye therefore perfect." Some days, I don't even know if I can fulfill such mundane tasks as doing the dishes or taking a shower, let alone teaching my children in love and patience. There are so many times that I fall so short of where I would like to be, and where I feel like I should be. It's painful.  

I do need to remind myself in those times that perhaps I am trying too much to do it by myself. Like a toddler unable to tie my shoes, I need to stop insisting on doing it all by myself. I need to allow my Savior to help me in all things so that I can receive His grace and strength. 

One of my favorite lines of hymn says:

...

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene--one step enough for me

...

I was not ever thus, nor pray'd that thou

Shouldst lead me on.

I loved to choose and see my path; but now,

Lead thou me on!

...

I need to keep telling myself that one step is enough for me, so long as I know that what I am doing is according to His will. I do not need all the answers, I only need to take that one step in faith. With the help of His immeasurable strength we will accomplish more than I ever imagined of myself alone.

Lead thou me on!

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Why I Chose This Verse

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ

which strengtheneth me.

I chose this verse because I have been very frustrated lately with my lack of ability to make something of myself. I feel so weak and so incompetent. I know that I can't do anything in and of myself, but I hope that through Christ I can find the strength to do what needs to be done.