Follow the Prophet

When Christ was crucified and lay in the tomb, the people in the America's experienced great storms, earthquakes, fires and death, and then 3 day of darkness.  The people could be heard saying, "O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets and cast them out."

In our day, we don't physically kill and stone the prophets, but do we spiritually.  I would put forth the idea that if we do not "tie ourselves to the prophets" or rather follow their counsel with exactness, that we are following the people of old and casting out our prophets to an extent.  These are not simply old men at the head of our church leading to their hearts desires, but rather conduits of the Lord.  When we choose not to obey and focus our attention on their words, we are in fact, not listening to the counsel of the Lord.  It can be as drastic as turning away and getting involved in alcohol and drugs or as simple as saying that a little bit of pornography won't hurt....it won't affect me, or even, only attending part of church on Sunday.  We are required and should fully obey the counsel from our prophets even if it inconveniences us a bit.    I know and have a strong testimony of our modern day prophets.  I know they lead us through God's spirit and I know that my family and I are better off and more spiritually fit to receive blessings because of it.  I pray to be "tied to the prophets" always.

True Conversion

"Stated simply, true conversion is the fruit of faith, repentance, and consistent obedience. Faith comes by hearing the word of God and responding to it. You will receive from the Holy Ghost a confirming witness of things you accept on faith by willingly doing them. You will be led to repent of errors resulting from wrong things done or right things not done. As a consequence, your capacity to consistently obey will be strengthened. This cycle of faith, repentance, andconsistent obedience will lead you to greater conversion with its attendant blessings. True conversion will strengthen your capacity to do what you know you should do, when you should do it, regardless of the circumstances." - Elder Richard G. Scott, April 2002

Sometimes I truly believe that I am converted, but then find myself falling back into less faithful prayer and scripture study either because I give it less emphasis or other things in life cause me to become distracted.  By the time I realize this, I make new commitments to be better and head back that direction.  How do I fully enter the cycle of faith, repentance and consistent obedience as Elder Scott says?  I guess, as he says, the more you are able to stay in that cycle, the more you are strengthened to be more consistent.

Real Prayer

In Enos we read about how Enos wrestled before (not with) God for answers to prayer.  Although this is obviously a spiritual thing, I believe it to be mental also.  To be able to clear one's mind from all distractions and really concentrate before your maker and talk to Him.  Additionally, knowing what to pray for.  The scriptures say that the Holy Spirit will tell us what to pray for.  I believe aligning our will to this is what wrestling means.

Lastly, what does one due when it appears that no answer is coming?  In Ether, with the brother of Jared,  he comes to the Lord and presents him with a problem...lighting in their ships as they cross the ocean.  The Lord basically, and kindly, says, well, what do you want me to do?  You are smart and resourceful, what would you that I do?  From Pres. Hinckley....

"Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work." — Gordon B. Hinckley

It occurred to me this morning that if no answer is coming immediately, its not that something is wrong, but perhaps there is no right answer, or more importantly, perhaps the Lord excepts us to get up off our knees (stop wasting time) and start to work, then the answers or the confirmation will come.

Replacing Fear With Faith

In 3 Nephi 4:10, we read about the Nephites reaction just before the Gadianton robbers descended on them for war.

3 Nephi 4:10
 10 But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection; therefore, whenthe armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them.

Just before the greatest danger of their lives, the Nephite warriors are on their knees praying for strength.  The Gadianton robbers mis-took this sign of submission as weakness but soon found out that it was not.

We must prepare ourselves and families for the challenges that are coming and are at all of our doorsteps,  We do this by replacing fear of the unknown or challenges with faith.  Faith that the Lord knows what will happen and has our best interest in mind.  He will guide us through the darkness, but we must have faith that it will happen and live our lives so we are worthy of these blessings.   Right now we (my family) are facing some big decisions... decisions that seem to have no answer that we can see.  It's frustrating and can get us down, but I realized this morning that this is simply fear creeping in and we need to replace that fear with faith.

3 Nephi 1-7

I just started studying 3rd Nephi today and found an interesting quote from a previous prophet, Pres. Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) which has made me want to study this portion of the Book of Mormon even harder.   I think it's interesting to note his quote.

"the record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior's visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Savior's second coming."

Only those who were firm and steadfast in their conversations were able to remain strong prior to the Savior's appearance in the America's after his crucification in Jerusalem.  I would imagine that the same is true today.  We know that the Savior's second coming is not far off.  We also know that it is getting harder and harder to keep the commandments and be strong in our conversions.  Like the Nephites of old, only the firm and steadfast will make it.  I want to be one of those.

God Never Never Never Will Forsake Us

Might I invite you to take a few minutes to watch this.  It's message is that no matter how hard it is, how lonely we may feel, God never leaves our side.  I testify that this is true!