The challenge; choose 3 scriptures that represent you.
The first one that I thought of is Mark 9: 23 “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
Elder David A. Bednar expressed it well in October 2016 General Conference: ” I wonder if the intent of the man’s pleading was not primarily to help him believe in Jesus as our Redeemer and in His healing power. He already may have acknowledged Christ as the Son of God. But perhaps he needed help to believe the Master’s healing power indeed could be so individual and so personalized as to bless his own beloved son. He may have believed in Christ generally but not believed Christ specifically and personally.
We often testify of what we know to be true, but perhaps the more relevant question for each of us is whether we believe what we know.”
Elder Bednar said,”Is it possible to exercise faith in Him, follow Him, serve Him, but not believe Him?
“I am acquainted with Church members who accept as true the doctrine and principles contained in the scriptures and proclaimed from this pulpit. And yet they have a hard time believing those gospel truths apply specifically in their lives and to their circumstances. They seem to have faith in the Savior, but they do not believe His promised blessings are available to them or can operate in their lives. I also encounter brothers and sisters who fulfill their callings dutifully but for whom the restored gospel has not yet become a living and transforming reality in their lives. We come to know the Lord as we not only believe in Him but also believe Him and His assurances.”
It is as if this apostle knows me personally.
I identify a lot with Martha. Luke 10:38 “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
I often think that if Mary was a bit more like Martha and helped, then Martha could be more like Mary and listen. I feel for Martha being left to serve alone. But Jesus didn't seem to think so. Mary probably helped before Jesus arrived. I think Martha was maybe a Martha Stewart type. It wasn't enough for the dishes to be clean, they had to be polished. Providing good, wholesome food wasn't enough, it had to be cut into shapes and look decorative. Needed tablecloths and floral arrangements. It was a way for Martha to show how much she loved and appreciated Jesus. Not bad things at all, but time consuming and eventually overwhelming for even capable Martha. Now, I am no Martha Stewart type by a long shot. I just know overwhelmed when I feel it which is a lot. I think Mary was more take care of the basics, keep it simple, and take time to BE with Jesus. I agree and identify with that, too; I just have trouble even taking care of the basics and start feeling overwhelmed and left to serve alone. Breathe, Martha. Let some of it go and feed your spirit.
Ok, the challenge might be limiting it to 3. But who say we have to? What will who do to me if I don't?
I love King Lamoni’s father. After being told about God, he prayed with great sincerity. Alma 22:18 “O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.” Am I willing to give away all my sins to know God? It's a good deal, but not easy.
A scripture I wish represents me, but I really need to work on it - Alma 56:48 “And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.”. I need to strengthen my own faith and testimony and to share them better with others, especially my children.
Corianton in The Book of Mormon, the woman taken in sin and brought before Jesus, Saul/Paul, and all of us - in need of forgiveness and grateful for the Atonement.
I could go on. The more I think about it, the more amazing and wonderful it seems that so many scriptures relate directly to me. But this is already unreadably long.
