I’m the missionary portion of the program – apparently when the return missionaries run out they ask auxiliary leaders to fill in the void. Of course they didn’t tell me that when called me to be an auxiliary leader.
Last week the stake leaders were invited to attend the Crockett Ward for their ward conference. This year’s theme is enduring to the end. Bishop Akina in his remarks quoted a scripture that like happens too many of us were so familiar I knew instantly where it was. It is so failure to me that in my mind I began to quote the words from the two verses being read. But then something happened – he began to apply the scripture in an area that it had never crossed my mind that this scripture would apply.
Instantly the spirit began to flow and testified to me of the great lesson that I was learning – as it applied to a problem that has been pestering me for some time. The problem has not disappeared nor will it be easy to rectify, but I came away with a new outlook and vision on some of the things I need to do on my part.
I remember many years ago as a missionary in New Mexico tracking and meeting so many people who were confused on the questions of where we came from. Why we are here? And where we are going after this life? These are some of the basics of the plan of salvation. And superficially almost everyone in this room would be able to answer these questions.
The problem many of us have is that despite the fact we know why we are here – at times we lack the faith to trust in the Lord that He will guide and protect us in our times of need. Do we believe the Lord is leading us and giving us the opportunities necessary to progress?
Elder Eyring – CES Fireside 5/6/01
“Your life is carefully watched over as was mine. The Lord knows both what he will need you to do, and what you will need to know. He is kind and He is all knowing. So you can expect with confidence that He has prepared opportunities for you to learn in preparation for the service you will give. You will not recognize those opportunities perfectly, as I did not. But, when you put the spiritual things first in your life you will be blessed, to feel directed toward certain learning and you’ll be motivated to work harder. You will then recognize later that your power to serve was increased and you will be grateful. Your service may not be in what the world would recognize as a lofty calling. When the real value of service become clear in the judgment of God. Some people who worked in quiet anonymity will be the real hero’s. Many of them, perhaps most of them will be the underpaid, under recognized people, who nurtured others.”
The key to this quote is that “when you put the spiritual things first in your life you will be blessed.” I love when a prophet of God makes a promise – because whether by his own voice or the voice of his servants it is the same.
Ether 3: 11-12
And the lord said unto him: Believest thou the words which I shall speak?
And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou art
a God of truth, and canst not lie.
As Elder Eyring stated: you can be confident the Lord is preparing circumstances designed for your special needs – he knows what you need to know and have. Many wonder where God is or if he has abandoned them in their times of need. Others question if there is a God – if there was how he could allow so many things happen to his innocent children.
An experience that testifies of this guiding and preparation began for me more than 25 years ago as a missionary –
- transfer – middle of the month, area with problems
- cleaning up area, know things very few would ever know
- as Bishop 18 years latter, comment made to a few ward members in passing –
- women in group made a comment to see if I knew a situation happening in that area
- when she told someone they didn’t believe her
The Lord began to prepare away for her to feel clean and find peace 18 years in advance – why so long? Why in this manor? Are questions I’m unable to answer.
Elder Bednar – Quorum of the Twelve, in our last general conference called these the tender mercies of God.
1 Nephi 1: 20
But behold, I, Nephi , will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith , to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
Elder Bebnar –
“The Lord’s tender mercies are very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving kindnesses, consolation, support, spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly the Lord suits his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men.”
Those tender mercies so many times come through the kindness and love of a neighbor, friend and even a stranger that has no idea the impact or the service they have rendered.
As Elder Eyring stated: “real hero’s – most of them will be the underpaid under recognized people who nurture others.” What a great blessing it is to be worthy or able to be an instrument in the hand of the All Mighty – to bless another’s life.
All of us have experienced events or times in our lives when in hind sight we can recognize a power or series of blessings that are not mere coincidences, but if humbly evaluated can only be attributed to divine intervention. But all of us have also had times when we may ask why we have been abandoned.
Such a time happen for the Prophet Joseph Smith – in the Liberty Jail. This is possibly one of the hardest times of his life. In section 121 of the D&C he pleads with the Lord.
1) O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?
2) How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?
3) Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them
Then in verse 7 the Lord begins his answer –
7) My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8) And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
His answers continues from sec. 121 –sec.123.
Then in his time of trail the last verse the Lord gives states:
Therefore , dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
It’s our responsibility to do everything that is possibly in our power and also to live worthily in order to receive the salvation of the Lord. Then we can with assurance call upon the arm of the Lord for assistance. Then in the Lords time and for our eternal good the “Almighty will pour down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the righteous.”
In the church and in this congregation there are a number of people that are struggling with their testimonies or with a major difficulty in their lives. Many of us have become complacent and thinking all is well and make little or no effort to strengthen our testimonies.
This complacency is like the 10 virgins, talked about in the New Testament by the Savior. They all knew who the bride groom was and that he was going to come – but half didn’t have sufficient oil in their lamps.
Elder Neil A Maxwell used the analogy of sins being like stones or boulders – he stated that many members of the church are unable to push boulders or large sins from their path because they are slipping and sliding on the pebbles beneath their feet.
The preparation of removing the pebbles and boulders of sin and having sufficient oil in our lamps are the same –
Omni 1: 26
And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his resurrection,. Yea come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.
It’s to come unto Christ, offer your whole soul unto him – his will and purpose become more important then yours. This is done by repenting and act like He acts. I think many of us have a hard time offering our whole soul to God – we continue to hold on tight to our favorite sins or vices.
This past year a young man that is very dear to me has been excommunicated from the church because of his addiction to pornography. For many years his problem was unnoticed by his family and friends – but the hidden addiction started to consume his soul and surfaced in some actions that were unacceptable to God and society. He then faced losing everything that was important to him – his membership in the church and his small family.
When we offer our souls to the Savior, nor only does he show us our weaknesses but he helps us overcome them.
Ether 12:27
And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness, I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
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