Jet Mariano

Tag: doctrine

  • Born of Water, Blood, and Spirit — The Sacred Role of Mothers

    Life enters this world through sacrifice.
    Through water. Through blood. Through a mother.

    Excerpt

    Every life enters this world through sacrifice. Through water, through blood, through a mother. I am beginning to understand what that really means.

    Intro

    I’ve been thinking deeply about mothers.

    Especially now.

    There are women who bring life into this world knowing the risks. Some endure long labor, complications, and moments where their own lives are on the line.

    Some give everything… so their child can live.

    And the more I reflect on it, the more I realize:

    We owe our mothers more than we understand.

    Notes from Today

    Today, I was reminded of something simple.

    Even in the middle of my own grief, I found myself thinking about others—about their struggles, their sacrifices, and their quiet strength.

    Someone close to me once asked:

    “Why do you still care for others when you are the one who needs care?”

    I paused.

    Then I remembered something I’ve held onto for years:

    When you are down… lift others up.

    Perspective (Doctrine — Moses 6:59–60)

    In the Book of Moses, the Lord teaches something profound about how we enter this world:

    “Inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit… even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven” (Moses 6:59).

    Every life begins this way.

    Water—the amniotic fluid that surrounds and sustains the child.
    Blood—the sacrifice of the mother’s body.
    Spirit—the life that comes from God.

    I have come to see this differently now.

    A mother carries a child for nine months. Her body changes. Her strength is stretched. And at the moment of birth, there is water and blood—real sacrifice—so that the child can live.

    This is not just biology.

    This is divine symbolism.

    Just as a mother gives of her own body and blood to bring a child into physical life, Jesus Christ gave His blood so that we might be born again into spiritual life.

    Motherhood, in that moment, becomes a quiet, heaven-given reminder of the Savior’s sacrifice.

    Application (Robert J. Matthews Insight)

    I remember listening to an Education Week address by Robert J. Matthews, where he explained this connection through the Book of Moses.

    He taught that bringing life into the world has always been tied to sacrifice.

    That image has stayed with me:

    A mother giving everything she has…
    so that another life can begin.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    Honor your mother.
    Recognize her sacrifice.
    Do not take life lightly.

    And when you feel like you have nothing left—

    Lift someone anyway.

    Final Reflection

    Mothers give life.

    Not in ease, but through sacrifice.

    And sometimes, we only begin to understand that when we see how fragile life really is.

    I am beginning to understand.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    Life comes through sacrifice.

    What I Hear Now (direct quotes)

    “Inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit…”
    “When you are down… lift others up.”

    © 2012–2026 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Marked in Time — “Pedicated”

    The scripture that framed my entire night:

    “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
    And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”    (D&C 130:20-21)

    Salt Lake Temple • Long Exposure • f/11 • ISO 64 • 15s • 14–24mm on a spider tripod
    A night when stillness spoke louder than motion.

    Excerpt

    Blessings are predicated on law — but not in the way a vending machine dispenses what we demand. They arrive through becoming, trusting, and walking with God in His timing.

    Intro

    The word predicated has been echoing in my mind since my time in the temple today. It comes from Doctrine and Covenants 130, where the Lord teaches that every blessing is tied to a law. Not earned, not purchased, not demanded — but predicated. As I reflected on the week’s experiences, the people I’ve tried to help, and my own quiet questions, this truth settled deeply: God’s timing shapes God’s blessings.

    Notes from the Temple & Talks

    As I sat with the scriptures open, the Spirit reminded me that obedience is not a transaction but a relationship. Elder Dale G. Renlund explains:

    “Blessings from heaven are neither earned by frenetically accruing ‘good deed coupons’ nor by helplessly waiting to see if we win the blessing lottery.… Blessings are never earned, but faith-inspired actions on our part, both initial and ongoing, are essential.”

    Those words matched what I’ve lived this week — acting where I can, helping who I can, trusting that small efforts still move heaven’s work forward.

    Elder D. Todd Christofferson warns against the temptation to expect blessings on our timeline:

    “Some misunderstand the promises of God to mean that obedience to Him yields specific outcomes on a fixed schedule.… We ought not to think of God’s plan as a cosmic vending machine… where the order is promptly delivered.”

    This is not how God works — and yet, He always works.

    Perspective (Direct Quotes)

    D&C 130:20–21 teaches:
    “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated… And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”

    Elder Renlund adds:
    “The truth is much more nuanced but more appropriate for the relationship between a loving Heavenly Father and His potential heirs.”

    Elder Christofferson clarifies:
    “…not every blessing predicated on obedience to law is shaped, designed, and timed according to our expectations.”

    Practice (Today, Not Someday)

    Today I will trust the process.
    I will obey not to earn, but to become.
    I will keep acting in faith, helping where I can, and letting the Lord handle the timing of what I cannot control.
    I will let small acts of discipleship be enough — because they are.

    Final Reflection

    Elder Christofferson offers a truth that speaks to moments of uncertainty, impatience, or pleading:

    “So, in the midst of this refiner’s fire, rather than get angry with God, get close to God. Call upon the Father in the name of the Son. Walk with Them in the Spirit, day by day. Allow Them over time to manifest Their fidelity to you. Come truly to know Them and truly to know yourself. Let God prevail.”

    This is the heart of predicated.
    Blessings unfold as we walk with Him — not as we demand from Him.
    They arrive in due time, in His way, shaped by His love and our readiness.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    Obedience prepares me, trust steadies me, and God’s timing refines me.

    What I Hear Now

    “Let God prevail.”
    “Blessings are never earned, but faith-inspired action is essential.”
    “Not every blessing comes according to our expectations.”

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

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