Let Morning Reign

Do you know Them?

How long has it been since you have sat down and sincerely pondered on how well you know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?  We are told in John 17:3
                        "And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true
                          God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent."

With this in mind, do you know Them?  Is that knowledge sufficient or do you long for more?  In pondering this the words of Elder Maxwell come to mind (not exact quote) "Many of us are playing with sand castles while we are offered a three star hotel."  In other words are you content with your relationship with Them?

If you are content, what keeps you playing with your sand castle?  Is it that you just can't comprehend what a three star hotel would be like, how much it would cost? I think this is a profound and worthwhile subject with which we would be wise to search our souls.

How do we strengthen our relationship with and knowledge of Them?  Let me share a quote form Elder Richard G. Scott:
                    "It is not sufficient to have a vague understanding of truth or the
reality of the Father and His Son, our Savior. Each of us must come to know
who They really are. You must feel how very much They love you. You must
trust that as you consistently live the truth the best you can, They will
help you realize the purpose of your earth life and strengthen you to
qualify for the blessings promised. To be obedient to the commandments of
God requires an understanding of them. It necessitates faith in them. That
comprehension is best obtained through personal study of
doctrine." (November 2005 Ensign)

There are two definite and  very doable things that Elder Scott says that we can do and really must do.  Those are obedience to the commandments and personal study of the doctrine.  These are simple uncomplicated things we can do.  As I said before this subject is much more important than it may seem at first.  I invite all to examine their current knowledge of and relationship to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and see if we aren't ready to make the effort to check into the three star hotel.

Vain Repitions

Have you ever put some real thought into what "vain repetitions" might mean?  I know it easy to push this to the side, but if there is ever to be real progress in our lives we need to be unflinchingly honest with ourselves. 

In Matthew 6:7  it says "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they thing that they shall be heard for their much speaking." 

I think some of us, though maybe not intentionally, pray for many things, good things, but it could be classified as a vain repetition.  And I must say that my immediate audience is myself.  Ask yourself, are the words that I pray full of meaning?  Compare your prayers from day to day with those that you have offered in a very trying time, maybe when someone was ill, or when a loved one was lost.  To be sure those prayers contained no vain repetitions.

Well you might say, my prayers can't be that heartfelt everyday.  I would reply, Why?  If you recall in 3 Nephi 19:17. In that verse Jesus commands his disciples to pray.  The disciples knelt in prayer, then Jesus walking on his own knelt in prayer.  Jesus prays to his Father and then returns to his disciples and this is what was said (v. 24) 
         "And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his                   disciples and behold, they did still continue to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many               words, for it was given unto them what they should pray and they were filled with desire."

There are two things that stand our to me that I highlighted.  Some might have said previously that it is a difficult thing to pray with much intent.  That would mean to me that they lack the desire.  Others might have said I just can't think of what to say.    It seems to me that this verse would help those who might have replied in similar fashions. 

Perhaps a verse that might help us understand this a little better is in Matt 6: 8  " ...for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

So to recap, the disciples were given the words that they should pray; how is it possible? Because our Father knoweth what things we have need of, before ye ask him. How is it done?  Through the Holy Ghost. 

I invite you to do two things.  First, study the verses that I gave you in this post along with any other s the Spirit might inspire.  Second, the next time you have your personal prayers take 5 minutes before hand and ponder intently on the things you would like to bring before Heavenly Father.  Have a prayer in your heart that you might invite the Holy Ghost to help you.  Then when you have thought it through get on your knees and pray with the intent and feeling that I am sure the Spirit will give you.  I promise that the difference will be experienced.

   

 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thin own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."    Proverbs 3:5-6

I love these pictures because in my eyes Carlee's experience with the tree is so much like our lives.  We come up to something that with our limited vision, and limited abilities appears to be insurmountable.  She knew however,  where to look.  She look to her parents.  Should we not follow the example of this beautiful little girl and look to our Heavenly Father? 

Pour out His Spirit

Study the following scripture chain-
Mosiah 18:10-12   25:24;  Alma 8:10, 16:16, 19:14,36 ; Helaman 6:36; Doc & Cov 19:38, 27:18, 44:2, 95:4 ; Acts 2:17-18; Proverbs 1:23; Joel 2:28-29 and J.S.H 1:41

The fact that the Lord's arm is extended to all who will repent and believe on his name is a marvelous principle.  In these scripture references you can see how often the Lord pours out his spirit.  It is evident that there are some definite requirements on our part, and there are some wonderful blessings awaiting us.  Hopefully we can be counted as one of those described in Helaman, and not like those described in Proverbs 1:24.  Indeed great are the blessings in store. 

I have had opportunity to be around those who seem to have the Spirit poured out upon them. The way they live and the way they are is contagious.  You can help but love them and want to emulate them.  They seem to have the ability to refresh your mind about what it means to really have faith and to sacrifice to do what is right. 

I extend an invitation to study those scriptures and to find out what you must do to have the Lord's Spirit pour out upon you.  As Alma would say, lets "try the virtue of the word of God".

New Weblog

This weblog is something I have wanted to do for a while.  Though I don't know how it will be received I am hoping it will be something that many can enjoy to read and participate in.  I know this is vague but bare with me.