Thinner

One of my first weekly BoMs was about how I really liked what Brother Griffin said about 'making the veil a little thinner'.  I had an experience on Sunday that really showed me how that has happened for me this semester.  On Sunday, I had recently found something out that was going to make things potentially very hard.  I was sitting in relief society, having a difficult time with it and feeling really sad. At the end of the meeting, we sang "The Spirit of God", a very powerful song anyway, but it really hit me that time.
 
"The Lord is extending, the saints understanding"
I started crying and had this overwhelming feeling of "whatever happens, I (the Lord) will help you through it and it will be ok." and I was also reminded of the fact that I'm learning a lot of new stuff/insights because of this class and my new ways of studying scriptures. 

"The veil ore the earth is beginning to burst"
This reminded me of what Brother Griffin said the first day of class, when he talked about how "the veil" is what keeps us from remembering how well we know God.  And when that is removed, (aka when we see Him again), we will be SHOCKED by how well we know him.  He then said that he hopes that, in this class, he can help us "make the veil a little thinner" (aka know God more and come closer to Him).  As we sang that line, I was having trouble singing because I was in tears.  MY VEIL is beginning to burst.  I know I have come so much closer to God in the course of this semester, and that feeling of "it's gonna be ok" was really true and that the Lord CAN AND WILL help me through whatever happens.  I felt the spirit so strongly in this moment, it was absolutely amazing.

"as Jesus descends with His chariot of fire!"
Now I audibly sobbed. (But I was in relief society so it's ok ;)) I didn't sing most of the chorus.  I imagined a Glorious being in a chariot coming to ME.  My testimony of Christ and how close He is to me (and how close I've become to Him) grew so much in that moment.  And while I was still sad about the difficult thing coming up, I felt very full of the spirit and very close to and grateful for the Lord.  I feel that way again as I write about it.

This experience was AMAZING.  And I will always feel differently about that song now.  I'm so, so grateful that Brother Griffin has taught us so much, especially this thing about 'thinning the veil'.  Without this class, I wouldn't have had this experience, any many other little mini miracles that have happened this semester. 
Christ LOVES us! He really can help us through absolutely everything, and he wants to, so badly.  He is all powerful and knows exactly what to do to guide us through any difficult time.  I'm so glad I've grown closer to Him in just the past few months.  This is an experience I will never ever forget. :)

He Strengthens

Just as a pre-note, I've really recognized the significance of scripture study this past week or so.  Unfortunately, I haven't been as focused in my scripture study as I usually am.  And it's made a notice-able difference. When I don't read scriptures, or just don't focus on them very much, my day tends to go bad. When I do, good things happen. It's amazing to me. :)

Mosiah 17: 13-15 Abinadi was whipped with sticks and THEN burned.  And he still preached to the people.  This is a great example to me of perseverance.  If the Lord can help him accomplish *that*, he can help us get through our challenges, no problem.
Mosiah 24: 15  "yeah, the Lord did strangthen them that they could bear their burdens with ease"
Sometimes when we ask for the Lord's help, rather than take the trial away, He strengthens us so we can pull through it.  Sometimes we need the trial, for whatever reason, but we don't have to do it alone. I find great comfort in this, and I know the Lord is always willing to help me.

P.S. I'm incredibly tired. I got my weekly BoM in just before the deadline, as you can see...And that's why it is short today. I apologize. Goodnight!