(QB- June 2007/Sep Crockett/ Dry Canyon Nov, 25th Mar 2008) Brothers and Sisters we live in a wonderful and amazing time – All throughout the Scriptures prophets of God have foretold and looked to this generation – they have used words such as the “Day of the Lord - last days – last dispensation – fullness of times – perilous times” – and many more. These statements are both positive and negative. Modern day prophets have told us that many of the spirits being born now are the greatest and most righteous that has ever lived.
President Gordon B. Hinckley -
“I believe, this is the greatest age in the history of the world.”
Things are changing at such a rapid pace that we can’t imagine what wonders or events are on the horizon.
In ward conferences I’ve had the opportunity talk to the primary kids – and with the help of a cell phone, I’ve tried to teach them that God the Father can hear their prayers no matter where we are. Can you imagine any other generation since Adam being told how a cell phone works and that in a matter of seconds you could talk to almost anywhere in the world? What do you think their reaction would be? Can’t we then believe that the power of God – is far more advanced, that not only can He hear our prayers but also understand the thoughts and intents of our heart.
Of course not every thing in the world is good, there are many problem, some very serious. The inter-net or web has opened the world to an endless supply of information –genealogy, scriptural information and education have become increasingly accessible to those seeking truth. These wonderful events are many times overshadowed by the plague of pornographic, hatred and lies that Satan is drenching the world with in order to destroy the agency of man and the sanctity of marriage and the family.
Never has there been a greater need for revelation and guidance. The Lord offer assistance when he stated –
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
During many religious discussions with people of other faiths – countless individuals have expressed believe to me, that at the death of the Savior and His Apostles the need for and ability to receive revelation had ceased.
I don’t consider myself an extremely intelligent individual – but logic dictates that this is contrary to thousands of years of precedence and the overwhelming need for the world to receive council and direction concerning the will of God in the greatest of all times.
President Monson -The formula for finding Jesus has always been and ever will be the same—the earnest and sincere prayer of a humble and pure heart.
The prophet Jeremiah, in the Old Testament counseled,
“Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
This simple formula can change our lives – it’s a principle with a promise. The promise is - you will find the Lord, If - you seek and search with all your heart. All of your heart can only be achieved when it becomes our first priority. The heart shows where our love and devotions are given.
Talking about those that are called but don’t reach their full potential - the Lord stated.
“Their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
The fact that their hearts are set on the things of the world, preclude them from learning the formula for magnifying their priesthood. Righteousness
and our hearts centered on Christ is the key to coming unto Him and receiving power from Heaven.
Before we can successfully undertake a personal search for the Savior, we must first prepare time for Him in our lives and room for Him in our hearts. In these busy days there are many who have time for sporting events, shopping, work and play – but very little time for the Savior.
I don’t believe we start by deciding that we have no time for Christ – instead we just put other things at the top of our priorities lists and find out later that many of the most important or essential events just seemed to be neglected.
How many times have we decided to attend the temple – read the scripture – or have family prayer, only to fall short because of something else less important diverted our attention.
Many years ago a Sunday school teacher of mine used a very effective object lesson. He showed us an empty glass jar. Then he took out two bags, one with sand and the other had rocks. The sand represented good holism activities or hobbies that many of us enjoy. The rocks represented essential activities for our eternal progression and to come unto Christ.
If we were to put the sand into the bottle first – there isn’t sufficient room for all of the rocks. But, if the rocks are put in first – the sand then can go between the rocks – not only making room for the rocks but the sand as well. This is true in the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we put the essential things first the Lord helps us with the rest of our life. Many times the things that aren’t essential don’t seem as important the closer we get to the Savior.
What then are some of the rocks or essential things we must do?
It would be impossible to discuss them all during the time we have. Here are a four that are very important.
#1 Prayer. I love the words of the song; Prayer is the soul’s sincere desires, uttered or unexpressed. Could this be the reason so many stop praying at the time they should pray the most, when they are entering into transgression? Some people believe they are very good at hiding their sins – but there are always two people that always know the truth, themselves and God.
The Famous word of Huckleberry Finn – can give us insight.
“And I about made up my mind to pray, and see if I couldn't try to quit being the kind of a boy I was and be better. So I kneeled down. But the words wouldn't come. Why wouldn't they? It warn't no use to try and hide it from Him. Nor from ME, neither. I knowed very well why they wouldn't come. It was because my heart warn't right; it was because I warn't square; it was because I was playing double. I was letting ON to give up sin, but away inside of me I was holding on to the biggest one of all. I was trying to make my mouth SAY I would do the right thing and the clean thing; but deep down in me I knowed it was a lie, and He knowed it. You can't pray a lie — I found that out.”
Because you know it and God knows it. This causes some to just stop praying. Prayer is one of the first steps to repentance – to confess our sins to God. The more sincere our prayers the greater the flow of communication will be in giving us direction. He is the one that has all the answers and an endless supply of love. When I was bishop and someone came in to talk about a serious transgression – I could almost always ask them when they stop praying.
#2 - Reading the Scriptures.
John 5: 39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
I have known individuals that have heard voices in answers to their prayers. The written words of God or scriptures have been the greatest source of revelation to me in my life! I have had conversations with the spirit that are filled with scriptures that have come to my recollection.
There are conference addresses that are seemingly given just for me, and my challenges. But, this is only possible if we are immersing our self’s in the word of God on a consistent basis. Scripture also comes from an inspired Bishop or priesthood leader.
D&C 68: 4
And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.
D&C 1: 38
What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
Reading the scriptures with pray humbles us – and opens the channels of communication and revelation with God.
#3 – Obedience. I believe most of us have a harder time with sins of omission than commission. We omit to do the little thing that allows us to stay close to the spirit. One of my favorite quotes – which I have used often, is by Neil A Maxwell, as he likens sins to rocks or boulders.
“Many of us have a hard time pushing the large sins or boulders from our lives, because we are slipping and sliding on the pebbles beneath our feet.”
One of the greatest responsibilities of the Bishopric and Stake Presidency is giving temple recommend interview – we represent the Savior Jesus Christ as the member declares their worthiness to enter His holy house. One of the questions asked in that interview is “Are you a full tithe payer.”
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? tithes and offerings.
Everything we have has been given to us is from God, even our children are on loan. Would you steal from a close friend? But to not pay a full tithe is to rob from God. This is also a principle with a promise – when we pay our debt to God he then returns by blessing us far more than the sacrifice we have given. Prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Another one of the temple questions is - do you live the law of chastity? As stated earlier pornography is becoming the plaque of this generation. We should avoid it as any infectious disease. It destroys our ability to have a meaningful and natural relationship with our spouse. It cheapens the act of love that has been ordained by God and is essential for our eternal progression. We should avoid it as if our lives depend on it – because they do. If necessary seek the assistance of Bishop and those that have been trained in this area. But, if left unchecked it will consume our souls and lead to further transgression.
The law of chastity states that we should have no sexual relationship with anyone including ourselves, except our spouses. And to do so out of wedlock is a serious transgression which will affect your self worth and ability to receive guidance from God. It affects the way you think act and feel.
While attending a youth fireside with Elder Richard G. Scott, I noticed five youths scattered among the congregation whose countenances or body language almost screamed that something was spiritually amiss in their lives. After the meeting, when I mentioned the five youths to Elder Scott, he simply replied, “There were eight.””
I’ve had such an event from the pulpit as a Bishop – the spirit told me of the problem’s of some of the members I had stewardship over.
#4- Truly Dedicated Effort – TDE
Brothers and sisters as you are reading the Book of Mormon; I would like to give you a challenge to try a little experiment. When you come across one of the many times that someone truly dedicates themselves to the gospel of Jesus Christ – see what led to that change and what results came from their actions.
On more than one occasion angels of God were sent to assist them, they were protected, thousands felt the spirit and came unto Christ. They became a blessed and happy people.
No matter what opportunity or responsibility we are asked to perform – if we do it will all of our hearts, might, mind and strength. We will be able to stand blameless before God.
As we show love toward all people - then shall (our) confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood or (gospel will) distil upon (our) soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be (our) constant companion.
Then will the atonement become effective in our lives. Then will the chains of sin and sorrow be loosened, and no longer bind us down. As we repent and come unto Christ.
He stated – D&C 58: 42
Behold, he who repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
Now is the time to come unto Christ – lay aside every sin or problem that can bring us down, too show unto your God that we are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments.
All of us know of things we need to do in order to become closer to the Savior Jesus Christ. All of us have areas that we need to work on. Let’s not let another day go by without making a resolve to do what is right.
President Monson – told a story
Of a man who, just after the passing of his wife, opened her dresser drawer and found an item of clothing she had purchased nine years earlier. She had not worn it but was saving it for a special occasion. Now, of course, that occasion would never come.
In relating the experience to a friend, the husband said, “Don’t save something only for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion.”
That friend later said those words changed her life. They helped her to cease putting off the things most important to her. Said she: “Now I spend more time with my family. I use crystal glasses every day. I’ll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket if I feel like it. The words ‘someday’ and ‘one day’ are fading from my vocabulary. Now I take the time to call my relatives and closest friends. I’ve called old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I tell my family members how much I love them. I try not to delay or postpone anything that could bring laughter and joy into our lives. And each morning, I say to myself that this could be a special day. Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.”
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