Prepare, then Ask

I have always found the story of the brother Jared to be very interesting.  I think it was fascinating that he took matters into his own hands and had the faith to go before the Lord to present his plan for light.  I found a quote from President Harold B. Lee that was very meaningful.  I think it balances the idea of faith and using your own mind to get things done.

"This is the principle in action.  If you want the blessing, don't just kneel down and pray about it.  Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to receive the blessing you seek." -President Harold B. Lee.

Mormon 7

Mormon chapter 7 is only 9 verses long, but how powerful they are.  They are Mormon's last words to us as he gets closer to the end of his life.  Verses 1-7 teaches us what we need to know, and verses 8-9 teaches us what we need to do.  Read this short chapter today.  It will make a difference how you live your life today.

True Believers in Christ

In 4 Nephi, we read that the people were true believers in Christ.  What does that mean?

- True believers are settled in their views of Christ

- True believers gladly perform their duties in the kingdom

- True believers are humble

- True believers are willing to do what Christ wants

- True believers have a balanced contentment

- True believers truly pray

- True believers have both right conduct and right reasons for that conduct

- True believers rejoice in the success of others

- True believers remember that forgetting is part of the forgiving

- True believers are innocent as to sin, but not naive

- True believers are happy

Today, think about how you measure up to each of these.

How Do You Feel About The Scriptures?

I feel like I make a really good effort to read the scriptures on a nearly daily basis and I also feel that I receive blessings, understanding and spiritual protection by following the commandments.  However...this morning while reading, I came across a quote from Pres. Hinckley that made me wonder and think that I am probably not to where I need to be yet.  Where do you fall?

"I am grateful for emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine."

On the Lord's Errand

"Some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling.  Remember that this work is not yours and mine along.  It is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand we are entitled to the Lord's help." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson

I think that everyone, when presented with a new calling, should accept without reservation.  These new assignments can be daunting and exciting and often cause us to grow.  I often feel like my effort is so insignificant to what others do, but this quote is a good reminder that all our efforts, no matter how small, or how long we are called to serve in that capacity can make a difference.   And....if we are able to serve till the end of that calling with pure intentions, then the Lord will bless us for it and we will feel accomplished in it.

Tender Mercies

I have seen it in my life over and over especially lately. I know you've seen it in yours. Take a few minutes today to think on how the Lord has blessed you and how that blessing has been individual. It's not a coincidence, its not an accident. It was meant for just you.

Relying on Testimony

"Trials are His way of stretching us and helping us become as He is.  Our crises will differ in magnitude and frequency, but they will continue throughout our lives.  I testify that as we turn to our testimony of Him in times of crisis, we can find the strength to overcome all that we are asked to endure." - Elder Paul Pieper

One of the things I've noticed in my life as I've fallen, gotten up, fallen again, and tried to rise up stronger spiritually, is that I feel like I look to my testimony more now as a reminder of strength.  There were days where I would fall and then say, "Why....why keep trying" and turn the wrong direction in frustration.  How does it go?  Line up line, precept upon precept....

The more times we look to the Lord for strength and less towards ourselves and others, the stronger we will be both spiritually and gain more confidence in ourselves to do the right thing no matter how many times we get knocked off our planned course.

Pondering

The scriptures repeatedly ask us to "ponder."  This is a regular exercise that has continually escaped me my whole life.  Yes, there are times that I do better at it than others, but I'm certainly not an expert ponderer.  Christ, in the Book of Mormon asked the Nephites to go to their homes and ponder on that which he had said.  Sitting during scripture study, while taking the sacrament or other times where I study the gospel, I want to think about, study it out and try to learn and understand what is before me, but my mind will start to wander after a time and I have to pull it back in line.  I believe that the Holy Ghost speaks through our minds and hearts when we are pondering and concentrating on such things and therefore we grow spiritually.  This week I want to do more of that.  I will spend more time pondering what I read and less time simply trying to make it through the chapter.   It is an important and vital part of scripture study.

Christ's Love

3 Nephi 17:21-24 

21 And when he had said these words, he ^awept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and ^bblessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

22 And when he had done this he wept again;

23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

I just finished reading chapter 17 of 3 Nephi for the 3rd time.  I'm amazed and touched by the tenderness and compassion of Christ's visit to the America's after His death in Jerusalem.  As I read, I get the feeling that he possibly came to teach a more formal sermon but saw the people's yearning for him to stay and simply be with them.  He was overcome by their love for Him and marvelous miracles and teaching ensued.  I love the account of how he gave special attention, individual love and possible taught the children some of the most sacred teachings illustrates to me how much He loves children.  Perhaps His example towards children and others is a great example to us on how we should treat others AND not worry so much about accomplishing our plan, but to let the spirit guide.  I am touched by His love.

What would it have been like to be there?

Continuing Forward

I like to run...well at least now I do. Most days I look forward to my daily run, but there are days both summer and winter where when that alarm goes off it takes every ounce of energy and will I have to get up and go. Sometimes I'm just tired, sometimes I don't want to brave the cold, and sometimes I'm just plane bored of the routine. BUT....what one of the main reasons I do it is for the feeling of accomplishment, the feeling that I got up and did it despite the obstacles. So....I continue forward day in and day out. I look back to when I first decided to start running and see how far I've come, but also see that I have a long ways to go...in fact, it is a life long project. I may complete this race or that distance in a certain time or simply just cross the finish line, but there will always be another race and more importantly a new day to train.

The life/gospel lessons in my little running story are obvious....but it was a good reminder to me that my spiritual life is just like my running life. It takes constant effort despite the challenges and will never be over.

Enduring to the end, or remaining faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God. This belief distinguishes Latter-day Saints from many other Christian denominations, which teach that salvation is given to all who simply believe and confess that Jesus is the Christ. Latter-day Saints believe that to be saved a person must have faith in Jesus Christ, demonstrate repentance of sins, submit to baptism by immersion, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying-on of hands by those holding the true priesthood authority, and then remain faithful to all covenants, continue in righteousness, and endure faithfully to the end of mortal life (Heb. 3:6-14; 6:4-15; Mark 13:13). This enduring faithfulness makes it possible for a person to receive fully the grace of Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants states, "If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God" (D&C 14:7).

The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi taught the principle of enduring to the end as a requirement of salvation: "After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost,…and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you not to have known me…. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved" (2 Ne. 31:14-15; cf. Heb. 6:4-6). As Nephi explains, enduring to the end involves having faith, hope, and charity; faithfully following the example of Jesus Christ; and always abounding in good works (cf. Alma 7:23-24): "Unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved…. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end,…ye shall have eternal life" (2 Ne. 31:16, 20).

Enduring to the end includes being willing and prepared to endure faithfully the trials of life, as did Job, Stephen (Acts 7), Paul (2 Tim. 4:5-7), Peter (1 Pet. 1- 4), and Moroni 2 (Moroni 1:1-3). The Lord spoke this reassurance to the Prophet Joseph Smith after several months of incarceration in Liberty Jail: "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes" (D&C 121:7-8). by John M. Madsen

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!