The Hand of the Lord

In the October 2007 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Eyring encouraged the members of the Church to look for ways of recognizing God’s kindness in their lives.  “My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness” (“O Remember, Remember,” October 2007 General Conference).  He also shared with us some of the blessings that came in to his life as a result:

“More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened.”

According to Pres. Eyring, as we strive to recognize the hand of God in our lives, we grow in gratitude, testimony, recognition of prayers answered, and more confidence in the Spirit.

When I heard this talk, I decided that I would follow and experiment as well.  I can add my witness to Pres. Eyring’s that as we spend the time to recognize the good that God has done in our lives that it helps us to be more grateful and builds our testimony.  Recently I have seen a great blessing in my life that came so gradually and imperceptibly that the only way I was able to recognize the extent of the blessing has been to review how God has blessed me and also in discussion with my beautiful bride.

Over a year ago I was a little dissatisfied with where I was in my career.  I had recently just graduated from college and felt like I wasn’t in a position that utilized my talents appropriately.  Don’t get me wrong, I was very grateful to be working and for the company I was (and still am) working at; however, I just didn’t feel like it was the right thing for me to be doing.  I attended an information session where they were presenting on a new opportunity in the company and were soliciting applications.  During that meeting I received specific guidance from the Holy Ghost of ways that I should modify my resume in order for me to get the job–if I wanted it.  I decided to make the changes to my resume and submitted it.  Because of those specific modifications, I received the job offer and it has been a blessing for me and my family.  Heavenly Father has been with us every step of the way, He has provided for our family in surprising ways (like bringing in additional income that we weren’t expecting from all the travels that I have done), and He has directed our paths to make significant changes in our lives (the most recent being our move to Omaha, Nebraska–something that we are still in the process of completing).  Needless to say, Heavenly Father has blessed us beyond belief and this blessing was realized so subtly and gradually that it would have been difficult to remember or identify had my wife and I not taken the time to consider these matters.  I know that Heavenly Father is watching over our family and guiding us!

President Eyring goes on to add another blessing for taking specific and deliberate time to recognize how God is blessing your life: it is one way to break out of the pride cycle.  In the Book of Mormon we read of several separate occasions when the Nephites get trapped in what has been termed the pride cycle:  they are suffering, repent and turn to God, are greatly and abundantly blessed for doing so and for their righteousness, become prideful and forgetful of the Lord, which then causes them great suffering, and the cycle repeats.

“And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him. Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people…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 12:1-2)

Pres. Eyring encourages us to seek the Spirit for help in remembering the things which the Lord has done for us and in remembering the blessings that we have received.  I know that God blesses us and is very much involved with our lives–it just may take some deliberate attention in order to identify these blessings.  So how have you seen the hand of God in your life today?

 

If you liked the “O Remember, Remember” talk by Pres. Eyring, you may also like this one called “A Legacy of Testimony”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same”

In the Book of Mormon we read of King Benjamin, a great king who served his people in righteousness and love.  At the end of his life, he wanted to gather his people together in order to share with them one last message and to encourage them to continue in righteous living themselves.  When they were sufficiently gathered together he opened his remarks by saying, “I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.” (Mosiah 2:9).  He had gathered them together and the message he wanted to share was given him of God and was very important for his people–and he wanted his people to listen and obey.

In like manner, we have the tremendous opportunity this coming week to listen to the servants of God share with us important messages for our day, to give us direction and protection, as we gather for our semi-annual General Conference.  This precious opportunity affords us the privilege of understanding the direction God would have us take over the next 6 months, for we read in the Doctrine and Covenants, “Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38).  Those who will speak to us have been prayerfully preparing for weeks, and even months, in order to share with us the message that they feel is God’s will for us.  We will also have the opportunity to hear from the Lord’s anointed as we listen to our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, speak to us.  We should regard these words as if they were directly from the Lord.

In my post today, I would like to share a few thoughts on how we can better prepare ourselves for this unique experience of General Conference by examining what King Benjamin’s people did to prepare and liken that to ourselves.  If you would like additional ideas, please consider Pres. Uchtdorf’s comments from this month’s Ensign and Liahona magazines.

First of all, let us learn from the example of King Benjamin’s people.  When they were called to this meeting by Mosiah, King Benjamin’s son and the future king, the first thing they did was they actually made time and went (see Mosiah 2:1).  They left their lands and their homes and gathered together in order to listen, which probably was a sacrifice for them.  Because of modern technology we have the blessing of listening to General Conference wherever we are–check this page out for a listing of ways you can attend.  When I was deployed in Saudi Arabia, I was able to listen to General Conference because it is broadcast over the Internet–and that was a tremendous blessing for one so far away from family and home.  However, these wonderful transmission means are worthless unless you actually use them–so let us do as the people of King Benjamin did and actually make time, even if it requires sacrifice, to attend as much of General Conference as we are able.  I have also found that if I actually attend General Conference, i.e. get dressed in my church clothes and go to a place where they are broadcasting General Conference (as opposed to simply watching it in my own home), that I get more out of it–but each person is different.  The important principle is actually watching it.

Additionally, King Benjamin’s people prepared themselves mentally and spiritually for the opportunity of listening to the will of the Lord given through His chosen servant.  They took advantage of the fact that King Benjamin had gathered them to the temple and actually worshiped in the temple (see Mosiah 2:3).  While General Conference isn’t held in a temple, per se, we can still take the opportunity of attending the temple as much as possible in preparation for this wonderful event.  I can think of no better way of preparing ourselves to receive the word of the Lord as given us by His servants then to spend some time of prayer and pondering in His holy house.  The temple opens our minds and expands our vision–and prepares us spiritually for the blessings and inspiration that come from listening attentively to General Conference.

King Benjamin’s people also prepared themselves by reflecting upon the great things the Lord had done for them (see Mosiah 2:4).  I have always found it interesting that when the angel appeared to the rebellious Alma, the Younger, he admonished Alma to, “Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers…and remember how great things [God] has done for them” (Mosiah 27:16).  It was such important council that Alma himself, when at the twilight of his years, shared that same council with his sons,”I would that you should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham…and he surely did deliver them.” (Alma 36:2).  Just like the people of King Benjamin and Alma, the Younger, we can spend some time and reflect upon the many blessings that Heavenly Father has given us and our families.  We can remember where we have come from and think about where we are at currently and where we want to go.  By remembering the bounteous blessings that we have received, and also thinking about how good our Heavenly Father has been to our families, we are better prepared to receive His guidance and direction, not only through the words which are spoken at General Conference, but also the promptings and teachings of the Holy Ghost.  Let us prepare ourselves by attending Conference with a grateful heart!

Ultimately, King Benjamin’s people were richly blessed because they were prepared to receive the word of the Lord.  We too can receive an outpouring of inspiration, answers to our innermost concerns, and direction to avoid the evils of the day as we prepare ourselves and listen to General Conference.

King Benjamin also did something very important to help his people to understand the words which he spoke, “he caused that the words which he spake should be written and sent forth among those that were not under the sound of his voice, that they might also receive his words.” (Mosiah 2:8).  We will also have the opportunity of reading and re-reading the words spoken during these sacred sessions of General Conference as they are published in the November edition of the Ensign and Liahona magazines–so we can read, cherish, and reflect upon the things we have been taught.  Let us do as King Benjamin’s people did and read the words given to us!

I love General Conference and am grateful for the blessing of hearing the Lord’s inspired and called servants teach us the principles that we need in order to resist evil and bring forth His work.  I hope to properly prepare myself and invite you to do the same so that we can all rejoice and be edified in this Conference!

A Day of Joy and a Wellspring of Health

When I read this article on ksl.com, I decided that I had better write about fasting.  The topic of fasting has been on my mind for the last couple of weeks and I feel like it is a very important habit to develop.  It can be a challenge for many people–I remember how I used to dread fast Sunday when I was a teen and I would find excuses not to fast.  I was immature then and didn’t realize the blessings that accompany a true fast.

First, I want to start off with some basic doctrines to put the law of the fast in proper perspective.  First of all, considering that one of the greatest gifts of mortality is the power to choose–Latter-Day Saints refer to it as agency–we have the right and the responsibility to choose how we will obey the law of the fast:

“For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.” (D&C 58:26-28).  In other words, we are free to choose, but with that freedom we should be choosing good things–to do that which is good.  When we do choose to obey, when we choose to follow what we are taught, we receive the associated blessings.

Our church leaders have defined the law of the fast as going without food or drink for a period of 24 hours, or two consecutive meals.  That means that if you decide to begin your fast on Saturday night after dinner, that you fast until Sunday night’s dinner.  That seems pretty straight forward.  In order to properly fast, we begin and end with prayer–in fact, in most scripture passages where fasting is mentioned prayer is almost always mentioned as well.  Fasting and prayer just go hand in hand.  This is also how we add purpose to our fast–usually when we are fasting it is because we are seeking something such as spiritual revelation, help with important relationships, assistance in missionary work, or simply to give thanks.  Anything that is important to you could be a purpose for your fast.

Keeping all this in mind, we must also remember that we have our limitations. “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.” (Mosiah 4:27).  The commandment is that we should fast, if we want the associated blessings (see D&C 130:20-21) we must obey; however, we each need to examine within ourselves how we will obey this commandment and “not run faster than [we have] strength.”  Fasting is a challenge of faith for many people and it is definitely a physical challenge as well.  I personally believe, “that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Ne 3:7) and so I know that if Heavenly Father commands us to fast (see D&C 88:76) that He will help us to keep this commandment. 

I have found that it is easiest to fast if I start at lunch time on Saturday.  This is logical to me because by the time dinner rolls around I am not too hungry and then I go to sleep at night.  I give myself enough time to get ready for church on Sunday but it is pretty easy to skip breakfast if that is my focus.  I then rejoice in attending church in the spirit of fasting and afterwards come home and break my fast.  That is what I have found works for me–because I have made it so that I can forget about being hungry.  This is harder if you have church in the afternoon but it is adaptable to the circumstances.

The blessings promised to those who keep this law are absolutely tremendous and a little stunning: ”

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.

Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am…

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” (Isaiah 58:8-9,11).  Not only does the Lord promise us increased health, but it is abundantly increased (isn’t that a little counter-intuitive?  Skip a couple meals with a purpose and be…healthier?!?!?).  He also promises us to be closer to us, to hear our prayers, and to guide us continually.  These blessings are the very marrow of life!!

I promise you that fasting is worth it–it is a small sacrifice and may take some working up to (if you can’t fast for 24 hours, try 8 hours and then work up from there), but it is a marvelous blessing!

Here are some additional resources if you are still interested in learning more:

Gospel Principles Manual, chapter 25

Fasting with Power by Shayne M. Bowen

Fasting–A Gift of Joy by Sheryl Condie Kempton

The Law of the Fast by Robert L. Simpson

The Law of the Fast by Elder Joseph B. Withlin

The Blessing of a Proper Fast by Carl B. Pratt