Priorities

Lehi was commanded to leave and go into the wilderness. He did so taking only his family and a few provisions. Lehi was faithful enough to trust the spirit. Trust that things were going to be ok. He had a  knowledge that God would provide. 

In those little moments are our priorities such that we are willing to trust our Heavenly Father? It all comes down to what are we willing to do and say. Is our faith strong enough to leave home? Is family the only thing that matters? 

Turning our hearts from the world and toward heaven requires simple steps that navigate us home. Prayer, Scripture study, building strong family relationships,  and learning that the stuff around us really is no more than that. Putting our priorities in order brings us closer to obtaining what really matters. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ allows us to put into our lives a plan that brings happiness. Living within the gospel standard provides for peace and harmony. Ultimately these priority shifts build a roadmap that guide the humble and bless the meek and lowly to feel the spirit working in their lives.

Listening

Of all the senses the most influential, the hardest one to hone is the ability to listen.  Sit back for a moment and listen to your surroundings. What do you hear?

A supervisor once said smile when answering the phone. They can hear it. The wonder of listening is taking the oppertunity to really pay attention to what others feel. It is learning the needs of others and then quietly filling those needs. 

A father and son were on a hike. The two were passing the time talking to one another. The son asked a question and the father answered this went on for a few minutes. The father recognized that the son was just thinking of questions while his father was answering. So the father had the boy stop. He asked his son if he had heard the answer or was he too busy thinking up his next question. 

Are we willing to Listen and learn? The only way to find lasting peace is by heeding the voice of God. It is within thes quite moments that we find the thing that speak to the heart.

Recognizing the Power of God In Trials

Every day we are faced with some kind of trial. It is how we deal with it that matters most. Things are going to happen to us. But do we look to our Heavenly Father to help us?

Until we can recognize that without the power of God around us we are nothing we cannot grow. Nephi's brothers could not understand that principle until they were close to death. Only then did they release Nephi and allow a prophet of God to save them.

The power of God is real. It is the only thing that will pull us through when everything else is gone. It is the only power that we can hold onto.

The power of God is only present when righteousness prevails. Keeping the Commandments is the only way to make sure that one can prosper and have the power of the spirit as a constant companion.

Go To The Temple

Nephi taught that talking to the Lord allowed him to know how to build a ship. He said that he went to the mount oft. He said he prayed often; that he could know the way of the Lord. 

One of the ways that we are able to arm ourselves is to attend the temple. In the temple we learn from our Heavenly Father. We learn his ways, and not the ways of men. 

Many in the world scoff and scorn about the way that we do things. The only way that we can be strong is to look to our heavenly father. In the middle of all of the haze of the world we can find great hope and guidance by going to the house of God. 

In the temple we are taught. The lessons learned therein gives answers to prayers. Those who attend the temple or seek heavens help are provided with solace, courage, and the ability to fend off the adversary.

Stand today in holy places. Create a temple atmosphere around you. Seek to be taught in the house of the Lord. Attend the temple as often as possible!

What a great time of year

There is so much to be thankful for. During this time of the year have you taken the opportunity to recognize what matters most? In just a few days we will move on from the lights, the carols and into a brand new year. What weighs most on your heart this time of the year?
Take the time. Take time to hold those you love. Take time to pay a little more attention to the story of a little babe born in Bethlehem. Take time to remove yourself from all the hustle of the season and just take it all in.
Merry Christmas to All and a wonderfully shining New Year!!!

Seek To Be Taught

The greatest institution for teaching is to seek our Heavenly Father. He wants to teach us. But first we have to have a desire to learn, then we have to be ready to be taught. 

The best place for this learning to be received is at the temple of our God. We need to go there with the purpose and we need to prepare to enter. We have to have a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. We have to do certain things that will help us to be more prepared as we entered to be taught by the Spirit.

When we have questions we need to ask those questions and expect that our Heavenly Father will answer.

Those questions are worth taking to the temple. The temple can be referred to as the University of spiritual guidance. The spirit will bless us with knowledge that we seek.

In the temple the things that we learn lead us to Jesus Christ. The lessons taught there strengthen our testimony of Jesus Christ. 

As we go to the temple we are taught as we are ready to receive. The teachings of the Spirit is a two way conversation the spirit asks us questions; just as we are asking our questions. That way we are being taught as if we are having a conversation with our Heavenly Father. 

As we gain that knowledge of our questions we are also gaining knowledge of the life of Christ. We learn of his birth his mission,  the way the world treated him, we learn how to strengthen  a testimony of The master and his called leadership.

We leave the temple ready to serve with the knowledge that we have been given. These are tools that will assist us in being messengers of the Savior Jesus Christ. We learn how to follow Christ's example. By 1: visiting the sick 2:visiting those who are afflicted with disease 3: reaching out to those with devils and unclean spirits. This is truly exercising the priesthood. And those who we visit and help will be healed as we learn to exercise the priesthood of God. 

There is a real battle going on right now. The world would have us believe that there is no other purpose other than to follow our own wills. People suggust that we are to just succomb to the natural man.

 We know that that is false teaching! 

We can stand in holy places. We can reach out to others. We can come to know the real purpose of this life to learn to recognize the spirit. And be taught by the spirit as we attend the temple.

Who Can We Follow

Who can we follow? That's a hard question. Especially when there are many who are saying do this and you'll be saved. There are many who are just doing their own thing. These people are lost. 

There is someone that we can look to, to bring us to safety. That person is the prophet of the Lord. 

The prophet has been prepared for our day. Like many that have come before him they were to guide their people through the torent of worldly wisdom. The prophet speaks for our day and time to bring us to safety.

The heavens are not closed. The Father loves and expects much from us. We need a leader who has a knowledge of and experience with listening to the father. The scriptures have taught that "surely the Lord God will do nothing, save he will reveal his secret to his servants the prophet. (Amos 3:7)" The prophet speaks with the Father. 

With that knowledge then... that we have a leader. Someone who is willing to guide us through the storm. We have to then choose to follow him. No one is going to make us choose to follow him.

Just like everything in the gospel of Jesus Christ we are free to choose. We are given the things that we need to make it through this life. Christ tells us that he'll take care of us. As long as we are willing to follow him (2nd Nephi 2:27-29). One of those tools that has been given to us; is following the prophet. 

Once we have set off on that path it is important for us to recognize those who have wandered far from that path. Those who have had the knowledge and encourage them to come back. Take the opportunity to share your testimony  every chance you can. Invite others to recognize the loftiness and pride of the worldly wisdom that is all around them. Be willing to share your testimony of how the Gospel has changed your life. Be able to offer examples of how your testimony of the prophet and following  his example has led you to come to know more of your Savior, Jesus Christ.

This is truly the work of the master. Bringing others to the knowledge of the Savior. Helping others back when they have fallen short. Ours is not to judge. It is but to be a help in facilitating our Heavenly Father in rescuing some of his children.