Eugene England on Recognizing a Testimony of the Book of Mormon

Posted on by Jared

Members of the church are counseled to obtain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. How does one know when they have a testimony?

The best way to answer this question is to ask those who’ve received a testimony, to describe it.

Eugene England wrote a book titled Converted to Christ Through the Book of Mormon. Following are five examples from his book that will help us recognize what a testimony of the Book of Mormon is like.

Example 1

Throughout my life I had said my prayers regularly and I believed in God. But I guess I had just said my prayers without expecting answers, especially not tangible answers, because I couldn’t imagine how my prayer would be answered. I was afraid I wouldn’t recognize it. One evening when I was home alone, I went to my room to read the Book of Mormon. I knelt down by my bed and asked our Father in Heaven to please let me know, in a way that I would understand, if the Book of Mormon is true, and if so, I would also know the Church is true, and I would be baptized. I promised Him that I would change my life and be obedient to the teachings of the gospel. And if it wasn’t true, I also wanted to know, because the opposition was very obvious to me. I could see only black and white-there was no gray. I knew the answer would change my life.

I sat on my bed and began to read very intently. After I had read just a few pages, very clearly into my mind came the words, “It’s true, it’s true, it’s true.” Just as distinct as the words were in my mind was the feeling in my heart that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I felt that excitement that we feel when the Holy Ghost bears witness to us. Suddenly it seemed as though the windows of my mind were open, and my world was full of hope and confidence.

For the first time in my life I had prayed with real intent, and God had heard my prayer. Also for the first time I knew that our Father in Heaven is real and that He knew who I was and, in spite of my past, He cared enough about me to answer my prayer. p. 135-136

Example 2

As I read the Book of Mormon, I knew that it was true, just as much as the Bible, and was another testament of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even so, I put to the test the promise found in Moroni 10:4-5. One night I knelt at my bedside and asked God, my Heavenly Father, in the name of Christ, to confirm to me that the Book of Mormon was true.

I fell asleep but later suddenly awakened and sat straight up in bed, wide awake. Immediately, I felt an outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon me, enveloping my whole being, and felt filled with Light and Truth. It was wonderful! With joy I cried out, “Yes, it is true! The Book of Mormon is true!” p. 50-51

Example 3

As I prepared for bed that evening, I lay down in my bed, propped my head up on my pillows and prepared to begin reading my Book of Mormon. As I lay there holding the book in my hands, I knew, even before I opened it, that it was true. I was about to discover the truth. I also had a very strange feeling, which affected me very deeply, that I had always known that the Book of Mormon was true. I had silently prayed to my Father in Heaven to let me know the truth of what I was about to read, and my prayer was answered before I began. I believe now that one reason I did resist reading the Book of Mormon, as others have and will, is that we all know that its teachings are true, and if we read them, we will be obligated to abide by them.  P. 48

Example 4

I reread the marked verses in Moroni 10:4-5 and then poured out my heart to the Lord, not in the rote prayer of my youth, but as a son of God, seeking expected answers to my questions. I did ask God, in the name of Christ, if the precepts I was studying were true. I asked with a sincere heart, with real intent. More than anything I had ever wanted, I wanted to know what to do about religion. I asked about Joseph Smith. I asked about the restoration of the true Church. I asked about the Book of Mormon. I asked about the reality of Jesus Christ and his work. I pleaded with the Lord to reveal to me what I should do.

I received the answer to every one of my questions. By the power of the Holy Ghost I received the answers. By the power of the Holy Ghost I knew the truth of all the things I pondered. I felt a burning in my whole being, sweeping through my body from the top of my head to the soles of my feet, that burned out of my being every doubt, every fear, every concern. Relief and peace swept over me. P. 95

Example 5

Then I began praying for a while alone in the evenings. I would lie down in my bed and just kind of talk, like, “Okay, God, if you are there, I would like to know about the Book of Mormon. Is it true or not?”

I felt like I was talking to an empty space and that feeling was always bothering me. Sometimes I’d feel so stupid. I’d hope nobody could see me, nobody would find out what I was doing. It was really like doing an experiment. And I decided I’d stick to it, I’d do it…

I remember it was just afternoon or evening, my door was open and my parents were watching TV, and I was lying on my bed reading the Book of Mormon and crying.

I suddenly said to myself, “You’re so stupid, why do you cry about it? You don’t believe that there is any Jesus Christ. You don’t believe in this. This is just a fairy tale, nothing else. Why do you cry about it?”

And in that moment I felt so strongly that it had all happened. I couldn’t deny it. It was real. It wasn’t a fairy tale. There was Jesus Christ, and all this had happened. It was kind of a scary moment to admit to myself, “Okay, I believe now in this.” And so the next step was, “Okay, if I believe in the Book of Mormon, I believe in Jesus Christ.” And then, the next step was, “Hey, that means that I am becoming a Christian.” It was all very scary for me. P. 104-105

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Writing and Commenting in the Bloggernacle

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Good, better, and best are terms that can be used to describe the relative worth of competing choices. The one thing they have in common is the fact that a favorable outcome can be expected from each. However, the outcomes are not of equal value. All of us come to forks in the road of life where we have choices to make. Often, the most difficult part is deciding what is good, better, or best as we consider the choices before us.

Elder Dallin Oaks has taught:

“As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best.” Ensign, Nov 2007, 104-8.

Sometimes it is difficult to know the “best” choice to make at a fork in the road while traveling the path of life. Who, and when to marry, which career path to choose, what educational path to pursue, which college to attend, can be such choices.

As members of the church, new or seasoned, we have choices to make. I’d like to make some observations about choices regarding discipleship. As church members there are many paths we can pursue in the “kingdom”. If we’re not thoughtful we can make choices that later on we might discover are good, or even better, but not best.

In matters of study, we should be wise in how we exercise are discipleship. Study is good, isn’t that what we’re taught in the scriptures? Well, yes, and maybe no. We’re taught there is opposition in all things. In my estimation it is not good to drink deeply from the nectar of the tree of knowledge, and then merely wet our lips with the Ambrosia from the tree of life. We’ll end up with a PhD in the things of this world, and a elementary school education in the things of the spirit.

Consider what the Lord is teaching in this verse:

For they cannot bear meat now, but milk they must receive; wherefore, they must not know these things, lest they perish. D&C 19:22

This verse makes it clear that receiving some things (meat) prior to receiving prerequisites (milk) can be harmful to a disciple’s spiritual well being. We should be wise in what we spend the bulk of our time studying.

While surfing the Bloggernacle over the last eight years, I’ve observed that many of those who write and comment are not at their spiritual best. This is evident in the subject matter these well educated disciples choose to write and comment on.

The most popular blogs in the Bloggernacle simultaneously mock and praise the church, its leaders, history, and doctrine. I can relate to this duplicitous behavior, to a certain extent, because I am drawn to it myself.

However, because I have a testimony born of sacred experiences I have a responsibility to make sure others know this. Otherwise, it can grieve the Spirit of the Lord.  And this is my point to the Bloggernacle, if you have been given a testimony of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and Jesus Christ then I hope it is evident in your writings and comments. Otherwise, I fear that the “best” will get swallowed up by “good” or “better”.

I’m thankful to the Lord for the manifestations of His Spirit in my life and I hope that all who write and comment in the Bloggernacle, and process a testimony, will be as quick to express their testimony as they are to express whatever else is on their mind.

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It’s Not Wise to Think of Heavenly Father as a Mortal, Fallen Man, Like We Are

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I read something from my journal this morning that I thought some readers might relate to. It’s very personal, but I decided to share it.

In June 2011, I was driving to the book store to see what new books were available. On the way, I reflected on the many blessings the Lord has granted to me. As I did, I felt sorrow enter into my heart. I felt bad about my lack of progress in becoming the man I would like to be in the eyes of the Lord. As I drove, I said to Heavenly Father, I’m sorry that I haven’t been more useful to your work. You must have many followers who are a lot more intelligent and capable than I am. I wish I could be like them, you must derive a great deal more pleasure from them than an anxious and annoying person like me.

When I arrived at the bookstore, I browsed through the latest LDS selections. As I picked up a book titled, Walking on Water, by Michael Wilcox, I asked Heavenly Father if there was a message in this book He would like me to see. I randomly opened to page 164 and read the following.

 “Sometimes I say to God—as I strive for perfection—…’Father, don’t give up on me. I’m trying. Don’t let me fail. Please don’t get discouraged.’ I’m always directed by the Spirit to the words of Isaiah when he wrote, ‘[God] shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth’ (Isaiah 42:4). Then I hear the Lord say, ‘Michael, if I’m not going to be discouraged until the whole world is a place of righteousness and judgment, do you think I’m going to be discouraged with you, when you want so badly to please me and to conquer yourself? I don’t get discouraged, Discouragement is not part of my character, I am not impatient. I am never anxious. I do not give up. Keep trying.'”

 It meant a lot to me. It was like a note from Heavenly Father in answer to my prayer. It taught me not to think of Heavenly Father as a mortal, fallen man. He doesn’t get discouraged or give up like a fallen, mortal man or woman.

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Ministering Angels In the Flesh—Do You Know One?

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I think the following account is a powerful reminder of the choices that some valiant spirits took upon themselves in pre-mortality—by taking on hard life assignments.

Look around your circle of friends and extended family. Is there someone you know that is like the lady described by her Stake President in the following story? Maybe it even describes you.

Carlfred Broderick, One Flesh, One Heart: Putting Celestial Love into Your Temple Marriage, 50-53.

Saviors on Mount Zion

“The term ‘savior on Mount Zion’ is ordinarily reserved for those engaged in vicarious work for the dead. Truly, Saints who selflessly devote themselves to genealogical and temple work deserve the title. They perform Christlike service in lovingly opening the gates of exaltation to others who without their work would not have that opportunity.

But I believe that the term might also be applied to another group of the Saints. These have been called to sacrifice for the sake of saving the living, often of their own household.

I first began to think in these terms as a result of counseling two women who had hard life assignments. The first had convinced her boyfriend to join the Church and one year later to marry her in the temple. Unhappily, the conversion didn’t ‘take,’ and soon thereafter he returned to his worldly ways, which included all of the minor vices and several of the major ones. They had children who seemed to elect their father’s life-style rather than their mother’s. I watched this good sister struggle with her rebellious family over the years, and I am ashamed to admit that I had sometimes judged her harshly. For example, if she had asked my opinion, I could have told her before she married him that her husband-to-be was more committed to her than to the gospel. Also, I felt that she had been overly permissive with her children. In short, I self-righteously judged that if she had made better choices (as I had, for example) her life would have turned out better (as mine had, for example).

It eventually became necessary to excommunicate her husband, and in agony of spirit she asked me, her stake president, for a blessing to guide her as to what her duty was under the circumstances. In that blessing I learned a few things that even now make me burn with shame for my earlier spiritual arrogance toward that sister. The Lord told her that she was a valiant spirit in the premortal existence who had volunteered for hazardous duty on earth. Not for her was the safety of a secure marriage to an equally valiant partner. Not for her was the relative ease of rearing naturally obedient children. She had (perhaps rashly) volunteered to live her life in the front lines, as it were, of the continuing battle for men’s souls. Twice, the Lord continued, she had been given the option of an honorable release from this difficult assignment. (After the blessing she confirmed this.) Twice she had been on the operating table at death’s door and was given the free option of coming home or going back to face her challenging responsibilities. Twice she had squared her shoulders and returned to her difficult family. In the blessing she was told that the Lord loved her husband and her children despite their rebellious spirits and that if they were to have any chance at all it would be because of her Christlike patience and long-suffering with them.

When I took my hands off her head I bowed my head in shame, realizing that I stood in the presence of one of the Lord’s great ones, truly a savior on Mount Zion. True to her promise, she is succeeding against all odds in her mission. To everyone’s surprise, her rowdy eldest son straightened out his life and went on a mission. He came back on fire with the Spirit and committed to the gospel. Her second son, who had often stated his intention of playing football instead of going on a mission, was helped by his elder brother and has also completed a successful mission and is headed for a temple marriage. Her daughters are slower to turn around, but I begin to see some softening there. Even her husband, the toughest of all, is beginning to mellow at the edges and to talk about putting his life in order (no action yet, but I am prepared to believe in miracles in this family).

The other case involved a man who came from a stable Latter-day Saint family background and a wife who was a convert. Together they were rearing a quartet of healthy young boys. Their problem was the wife’s recurrent bouts with anxiety and depression. We got into her background and discovered that she had been raised by an abusive, alcoholic father and a neurotically sick mother who stayed in bed all the time and let her little girl do all of the cooking and cleaning. She confessed that she was still full of rage at her parents for so badly abusing her and full of envy for others who had experienced a normal, loving family relationship. She said that on several occasions when she had seen little girls being hugged and kissed by their loving fathers in Church she had to get up and leave. ‘The Lord knew what he was doing,’ she confessed, ‘when he sent me only boys to raise. Girls would have been too hard.’

Then she turned to me and said, ‘Where is the justice? How can God pretend to be just and send some little girls into homes where they are loved and petted and made to feel like somebody and others into homes where they are beat and molested and abused and neglected? What did I do in the pre-earth life to deserve such a family?’

I felt inspired at that time to tell her that she had volunteered in the preexistence to be a savior on Mount Zion, to come to a family drowning in sickness and sin and to be the means of purifying that lineage. Before her in that line were generations of ugly, destructive, family relationships. Downstream from her purifying influence every generation would be blessed with light and love. The role of a savior, I said, is to suffer innocently for the sins of others that still others may not suffer. There can be no higher calling.

She knew by the Spirit that what I suggested was true. That perspective gave her the strength to get on with her life. The last time I heard from her she had also exercised her prerogative to purify her line backward through temple work and was working hard on bringing her parents to see the light.

I suspect that many of us, more than most would ever guess, have made such premortal choices and accepted such divinely demanding missions. More than once I have felt impressed to tell a righteous, long-suffering person that although his or her mate had provided legitimate grounds for divorce and a later cancellation of sealing, that it would please the Lord if the person would refuse to abandon the assignment to help shepherd that straying soul back to the fold. Occasionally someone says to me, ‘But don’t I have any right to happiness?’ The answer, of course, is that for those of us in the service of the Lord, the happiness comes from the service and from the close relationship to our Master that goes with it. If one is looking for a happy, settled, unchallenging life, one probably ought to choose a different master.

I am not suggesting that there are never grounds for separation or divorce. I am suggesting that only the Lord can righteously release us from a responsibility we received from him.”

Carlfred Broderick, One Flesh, One Heart: Putting Celestial Love into Your Temple Marriage, 50-53.

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Signs and Wonders In Answer to Our Prayers

Posted on by Jared

Building faith is why I blog. Today’s blog is about answers to prayer.

Heavenly Father is how I like to think of God as well as the name I use when I call upon Him in prayer.

My experience with prayer has taught me that answers come in many ways. We’re taught that prayers are answered by feelings in our heart and mind. We are also taught about burning in the bosom. I have experience with these forms of prayer. I’ve written about them in other post. See my category listing for prayer.

In today’s post, I would like to draw attention to another important way prayers are answered—by signs.

“…he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost…working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith.” (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 26:13)

I had an answer to prayer recently that lifted, strengthened, and blessed me. The answer came not by feelings or a burning in my bosom, but by a sign.

In recent months, I have been praying and fasting for loved ones who are experiencing difficult challenges. I also went to the temple with my loved ones in mind and prayed asking Heavenly Father to provide help. I wondered what I could do, if anything, to be of help.

When I returned to my home office, I continued to pray as I worked. I left my office and returned several times. I do this every hour or two to avoid sitting too long. This occurred two or three times. When I returned from a break I noticed a quarter on the floor next to my chair. It was on the plastic mat that protects the carpet. I thought that was curious because I don’t carry change in my pocket and I wondered where it came from. I had been in and out of the office several times and wondered why I hadn’t seen in earlier. While thinking about the how the quarter got there, I decided to check on the news of the day. The first news article I saw was titled, “A-List Actress Reveals Haunting Claim About Her Dead Grandfather: ‘There’s a Long Family History…”

I quote from the news article I read. “Actress Emma Stone revealed a family “secret” about her deceased grandfather during an appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” Wednesday night, claiming that he randomly leaves quarters around for her family members.

Stone, who made the ghostly pocket change proclamation during a discussion about paranormal phenomena, said that explaining the evidence would take a great deal of time, but that she’s certain the quarters are being left by the grandfather she never met.

“There’s a long family history with quarters. My grandfather leaves quarters. And it’s just … amazing” she said. “It’s him! It’s absolutely him.”

Finding the quarter, then going to the news article about a deceased grandfather making himself known to loved ones by leaving quarters got my attention. For me it was an answer to prayer. I believe it was a sign telling me a “ministering angel”, possibly a grandparent, is blessing my loved ones.

I consider this sign as a “tender mercy”. It was comforting. I’ve had other sacred experiences where the Lord has communicated with me by signs, in answer to prayer.

I realize that some will mock this experience while others will be uplifted by it as they recall similar experiences in their own life. Signs and wonders are part of Heavenly Fathers ways of answering prayers.

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Seeking the Holy Ghost in Times of Peace, and Trouble

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The apostles and prophets teach that acquiring the gift of the Holy Ghost is the most important thing we can do in life.[1] Some readers might not agree with this statement, saying that coming to Christ is more important.

If that is true, how would you answer this question: “How can we come to Christ without the Holy Ghost?”

One purpose of the Holy Ghost is to testify or reveal to men that Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Eternal Father (Matt. 16:16, 1 Corinthians 12:3). Without the Holy Ghost we cannot receive the necessary spiritual experiences to have a relationship with Christ.

We can study the scriptures, listen to the words of the living prophets, and thereby intellectually learn of Christ, but we won’t be able to experience Christ until we qualify for the Holy Ghost. Intellectual conversion to Christ is fragile, Spiritual conversion to Christ will ground and root us.

The challenge we have as followers of Christ is to diligently seek for the Holy Ghost, thereby fulfilling our baptism covenant. It’s not easy to acquire and maintain this gift, but the Lord is merciful to those who work at it.

The Lord reveals things about Himself through the gift of the Holy Ghost so that we can understand His dealings with men. He wants to be our friend, as well as our Savior. 

Elder Henry B. Eyring said, “The problem for most human beings is that when things go well, we feel self-sufficient…[we] tend to seek the Holy Ghost most fervently when [we’re] humbled by difficult circumstances or life-changing decisions.” Raise the Bar, BYU January 25, 2005.

We live in a day abundance, a day of self-sufficiency. The consequence for too many church members is just as Elder Eyring indicated, a diminished gift of the Holy Ghost.

So my thought for this post is to diligently seek the Lord through our gift of the Holy Ghost, in times of peace, as well as in times of trouble. This is a sure way of becoming His friend.

One might ask: “how can I seek the Lord in times of peace?” Spend time with Him in earnest prayer asking to draw near to Him. Ask questions about those things in the scripture that you want to understand better. 

My experience is that the Lord hears such prayers and will answer with a blessing, and as time goes on your faithfulness will be rewarded with increased manifestations of the Spirit that will provide you with a certainty of testimony.

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[1] “Men ought—above all things in this world—to seek for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing as important as having the companionship of the Holy Ghost.” Bruce R. McConkie, New Witness for the Articles of Faith, P. 253

 “We worship the Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” The Promised Messiah, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1978, p. 13.

“I can say unto you that there is no greater gift, there is no greater blessing, there is no greater testimony given to any man on earth. You may have the administration of angels; you may see many miracles; you may see many wonders in the earth; but I claim that the gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon man.” Wilford Woodruff, Deseret Weekly, April 6, 1889, 451.

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“Begging for a Remission of Your Sins”

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First, a definition of the word “beg” may be helpful to set aside any emotional response we may have to the word. Some among us may feel offended by this word thinking that God would never require His sons and daughters, the elect, those holding the priesthood, those who have made sacred covenants in the temples, to beg.

Beg: To ask earnestly; to beseech; to entreat or supplicate with humility. From American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828

The title of this post, Begging for a Remission of Your Sins, is taken from the account of King Benjamin teaching his people the message delivered to him by an angel from God .

Before going any further, I think it’s important to have an idea of just who King Benjamin and his people were. King Benjamin’s people are described as being “highly favored people of the Lord” because they were “diligent in keeping the commandments” (Mosiah 1:11 & 13). 

Certainly this highly favored group of former day Saints could recount many instances of service and sacrifice on their part in behalf of the Lord’s work. These people were very much like some church members today. They attended their meetings, donated of their time and substance, served one another in the church and raised their families up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Included in this group of people were church leaders, the equivalent of today’s Prophets, Apostles, Stake Presidents, Patriarchs, Bishops, Relief Society Presidents, High Councilman and so forth (Words of Mormon 1:15-18).

With this background in mind, note what happens to this group of highly favored people of the Lord. At the conclusion of King Benjamin’s remarks “they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them“. Mosiah 4:1

The fear they experienced wasn’t the kind of fear that causes one to cower before an adversary. It was a different kind of fear, “they viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth“.

For the first time they understood, by the power of the Holy Ghost, what it really means to be a fallen being, living in a fallen world! They immediately knew what to do, with one voice they cried aloud:

“O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.

And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.” Mosiah 4:2-3

I write about this account from the Book of Mormon because it holds a special place in my heart. Many years ago, the Savior left the ninety-and nine and rescued me. Jesus Christ is not only the Savior of the world, He is an individual Savior too. Go here for my testimony.

I pray that all who read these words will have a renewed determination to do all in their power to repent and prepare for the day when each of us will stand before the Savior and be judged for our thoughts and acts.

Heavenly Father heard me when I begged Him for a remission of my sins. Since then, He has led me by the hand and answered many of my prayers. I’m grateful for his tender mercies. I am aware of my nothingness just as I am aware of His kindness and mercy. I am also aware that where much is given, much is required. 

Conclusion

King Benjamin and his people were good at keeping the commandments. They were close to the Lord, had a temple, and had many manifestation of the Holy Ghost. However, as the account makes clear, they had not been born again by receiving a remission of their sins.

In this scriptural account, receiving the Holy Ghost, and receiving a remission of sins by fire and the Holy Ghost (born again) can be separate experiences. Nephi appears to teach this when he wrote:

“…witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost…“ (2 Nephi 31:13).

 

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Are God’s Promises Being Realized in Your Life?

Posted on by Jared

The scriptures contain many promises to followers of Christ. Consider the following short list:

1.  The Lord answers our prayers—3 Nephi 18:20

2.  Keeping the commandments brings happiness—Mosiah 2:41

3.  We will be supported in our trials and troubles—Alma 36:3

4.  We can be blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost—2 Nephi 31:13

Life has many ups and downs. The list above contains promises for both the ups, and downs of life. Where are you at in your life as you read this? Are you up or down? Is life going well spiritually and temporally or is it just the opposite?  Either way, the Lord says he will bless us if we remain faithful.

The title of this post is: Are God’s promises being realized in your life?

If you can say yes, or even, “I think so”, then this is an indication that you are doing something right.

If you feel that you’ve realized one or more of Gods promises in your life then what comes next? I’d like to suggest a few ideas in answer to this question.

Lehi and Nephi were given a vision of the Tree of Life. In their vision they saw people taking hold of the iron rod and moving forward towards the reward of the Tree of Life. This journey had a beginning, and an ending point. The iron rod represents the word of God, the Tree of Life represents the love of God.

Progress on the journey to the tree of life is made by “clinging” to the iron rod, the word of God. The word of God includes the words of the prophets, both living and dead. This means the scriptures, and the words of the living apostles and prophets.

Nephi, taught that we should press forward “feasting upon the word of Christ”. “Feasting” is a descriptive word; so is “nibling”.

President Thomas Monson, urged church members in May 2009, Ensign article to embrace a three part program to help members realize God’s promises. He said:

“Although our journey through mortality will at times place us in harm’s way, may I offer you tonight three suggestions which, when observed and followed, will lead us to safety.

They are:

1. Study diligently.

2. Pray fervently.

3. Live righteously.

If we incorporate them into our lives…we will have the strength to withstand the adversary. Should we ignore them, we will be opening the door for Satan to have influence and power over us.”

Regarding scripture study he added:

“First, study diligently. Every holder of the priesthood should participate in daily scripture study. Crash courses are not nearly so effective as the day-to-day reading and application of the scriptures in our lives…Study them as though they were speaking to you, for such is the truth. I promise you…that if you will study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased.”

I find it interesting that President Monson would put studying diligently (daily scripture study) as his first choice, ahead of prayer and living righteously.

Summary

Earlier in this post I asked the question, “what comes next?” The answer is, we can increase our capacity to receive direction from the Holy Ghost as we journey towards the tree of life. President Monson’s counsel to study the scriptures diligently is the foundation of a spiritual life. Our prayers, and our ability to live righteously will be greatly increased if we diligently give heed to his prophetic counsel.

I’ll end where I began with the question: Are God’s promises being realized in your life? It’s up to you to provide the answer to this question. It’s also up to you to explore the question: What’s next? Are you going to continue doing what you’ve been doing or do you feel there needs to be some changes?

However you answer this question, I wish you God’s speed and success.

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Receiving Answer to Prayer—Hindered by Over Reliance on “Experts”?

Posted on by Jared

To begin, I feel it is important to underscore a fact that we experience everyday. People differ in talent and abilities. To illustrate, consider two dissimilar activities, running a 5K race and taking an algebra class. Suppose there are 100 people participating in each endeavor. What would you expect to happen as the race and the algebra class progressed?

Typically, there would be a range of human talent and ability manifest: fast and slow runners, fast and slow algebra students, with the majority being average.

I think it is safe to say the same is true when it comes to spirituality. Individuals differ in spiritual talent and ability, but the important thing is that we understand and believe that we all have access to Heavenly Father via prayer. The question we need to ask is: “What can I do to improve my spirituality.”

If you’re not happy with your ability to receive answer to prayer, then you know if you keep doing the same thing, you will keep getting the same results.

Question: Do you believe Heavenly Father is interested in helping you improve spiritually?

How we answer this question is important. Based on my experience, I have no doubt Heavenly Father is dedicated to helping each of us to improve spiritually. Prayer is an essential spiritual talent that needs to be acquired in our quest to gain eternal life.

I think most church members would agree the Lord will help us grow spiritually, however, I’m surprised at how many hesitate to make the commitment to start now.

I think lack of desire is the main reason. I also believe that lack of desire comes from lack of need.

We live in prosperous times. It seems that for any need there is an “expert” available. If we’re sick, medical experts are available and they can do wonders to help. If we need money, experts in financial matters can be found. If we have problems in our relationships there are expert counselors with solutions that are helpful.

We have an abundance of resources available to us, and as a result it is easy to slide into the habit of relying on the experts and say a quick prayer of thanks. Or end up embracing an even more destructive idea that “God helps those who help themselves.” Thus, not even offering a prayer of thanks. 

When we trust in the arm of flesh we deny ourselves and loved ones the opportunity of experiencing the things of the Spirit that comes to those who seek the Lord diligently. 

I’m not suggesting we should avoid experts, that would be unwise. After all, we’ve been blessed with prosperity by Heavenly Father because of righteousness. But note this, the scriptures teach this is when we begin to forget the Lord. 

Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity. Helaman 12:2

To summarize: prosperous times can produce anemic faith unless we’re diligently seeking the Holy Ghost. 

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Receiving Answers to Our Prayers—A Matter of Desire

Posted on by Jared

There is nothing in life quite as sublime as receiving an answer to prayer! This is especially true if we have been seeking the Lord with all our heart on a matter of deepest import for a prolonged period of time. To experience an answer to prayer gives a boost to our faith. In the language of scripture, “then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of the God” (D&C 121:45).

I hope that all who read this have had this sublime experience, or will have a desire to have such an experience.Wherever we’re at in receiving answers to our prayers, the fact remains that we can increase our sensitivity to the things of the spirit—if we desire to. The word “desire” is very important when it comes to the topic of prayer. The scripture teach we “receive according to our desires (Ether 3:2).”

Our desires are one key to receiving answer to prayer. There are many things that can be classified as either barriers or facilitators to receiving answer to prayer. In my opinion, the primary barrier to receiving answer to prayer is anemic desire. 

Followers of Christ who live in prosperous circumstances can be challenged by the lack of desire to obtain answers to their prayers. I’m not referring to just those who are wealthy in dollars, whatever we may be “wealthy” in, be it intellect, personality, athleticism, social status, good works, church callings, and etc. They already feel blessed. They may not need anything. They feel they know all they need to know. So day by day they may be offering up prayers that are routine.  I wonder if it would be better not to pray at all, as to offer up routine, hasty, superficial prayers to our Father in Heaven (Moroni 7:9).

The problem with offering routine prayer is that one day we will have a real need which will sponsors genuine desire, but we will have to deal with our grade school diploma in prayer and find the Lord is slow to answer (D&C 101:7-8).

Just as there are many shades and hews of colors on an artist palette, there are also many shades and hews in our palette of desires. Our desires are what Heavenly Father sees when he observes us and judges of our righteousness. Our desires are the seat of our motivation and the source of our action or inaction.

In our fallen condition we are required to deal with a plethora of fleshy desires. How we choose to deal with them defines our spirituality. If we’re not receiving answers to our prayers as we feel we ought to, then we need to take an inventory of our desires.

We can drop a net into the sea of our desires, and pull up what we find there, and then sort through our desires like the fisherman sorted through the fish in the parable of the gospel net. They “gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.” (Matthew 13:48).

The act of casting away our unrighteous desires is nothing more than repentance. Repenting of an unrighteous desire can be of far greater value than repenting of an unrighteous act. 

This is a sure way of inviting the Lord to extend the benefits of the atonement into our lives and can result in increased spirituality. The scripture refer to this process as offering up a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. 2 Nephi 2:7

To summarize: If you will here stop, and ask yourself, why you’re not as close to the Lord as you’d like to be, as evidenced in part by the ineffectiveness of your prayers, your own heart will tell you, that it is neither through ignorance nor inability, but purely because you never thoroughly intended it. (A cut and splice of a thought from C.S. Lewis’s, The Problem of Pain, P. 66.)

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