Diligently Seeking

As I was reading my scriptures this morning, I pondered upon each area of stewardship that I held in my personal life and the journey I was embarking upon. And in doing so, I came across a scripture found in 1 Nephi 10:19:

"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."

As I pondered this short and simple message, I realized the importance of "diligently seeking". If we but diligently seek, in any area of stewardship, we will find those things that the Lord has in store for us. They may seem like a mystery now, but He will unfold them to us if we diligently seek Him and those things we desire.

Remember to diligently seek, not just seek.

Overcoming Bondage

Ok, so I just had to share something that hit me as I was doing my Spiritual Stewardship Study. Please feel free to comment.

I have noticed around me that many many people are struggling with something in their lives, myself included! And that many of us don't know which way to go, what the best answer is, etc.

Well, I posted something on my Facebook status the other day, just to see what people would say in response:

"At times in our lives we face different trials and struggles, and many times we are asking the wrong questions on how to overcome. Have you ever asked the question, Why?"

There were many great comments and deep feelings shared in response to that statement. Well, I found something better as I was reading in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 7. I recommend that you take a moment to read the whole chapter, but let me give you a brief synopsis of the chapter and why I felt so strongly to post this.

The Lord revealed to Lehi that he should not have his sons travel in the wilderness alone (meaning that they needed wives pretty much). So the Lord commanded Lehi to send his sons back to Jerusalem to speak with Ishmael and his family who were to be good family friends. So Nephi, Laman, Lemuel, and sam went.

Ishmael's heart was softened by the Lord and he chose to take his family into the wilderness with Lehi and his family.

While traveling back to where Lehi was, Laman and Lemuel started mocking and ridiculing Nephi and their father. Nephi turned and rebuked them asking how they could not see the hand of God in everything they were asked to do. He reminded them that they had even been blessed to see an angel of the Lord, yet they still hardened their hearts.

Laman and Lemuel became so upset that they bound Nephi with cords and left him "in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts."

Now I want you to put yourself and your situations in life into this next part. As Nephi lay there bound, the first thing he did was to pray. But I want you to notice how he prayed and what he asked for:

"O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt though deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." (1 Nephi 7:17)

The rest of the chapter is amazing as well, as you get a glimpse of the mercy and love Nephi had for his brothers even after trying to kill him. But I really want each of us to take a look at our personal lives and realize the things that are keeping us bound. do I have the faith to ask God for help? How is my faith and trust in Him?

As I read that prayer Nephi offered over and over, the thing that truly stood out to me was the way Nephi asked his Father-in-Heaven for help, "according to my faith which is in thee, wilt though deliver me" and "give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound."

I encourage each of us to get down on our knees and pray this way. Even if it is just once. Tell your Father-in-Heaven the things that are keeping you bound whether it is fear, sin, indecisiveness, being stuck in a comfort zone, etc. Whatever it may be, pray just as Nephi and He may give you the strength or even the faith in Him to break your personal bonds that you may experience joy and happiness in this life.

I leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Organize Ourselves

In Doctrine and Covenants 88:119 it reads: "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God."

This scripture has always impressed me and caused me to continually ask, "Is my house in order according to what God has asked of me?" As I have lived my life, I have gained a strong testimony and understanding of the principles that it teaches.

It teaches the importance of setting our own houses in order. What does this mean? Are our desires in alignment with what our Father in Heaven wants? What means the most to us in our life? Are we fulfilling what the Lord asks of us? Are we doing it the way the Lord has asked us to?
When we wake up in the morning, what is the first thing that we do? What do we do next? What are our priorities for that day? What should mean the most to us?

I ask these questions, because we are also taught in Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Are our priorities in order, are we truly seeking the Lord's help in everything that we do in our daily lives. Is our Father in Heaven's will for us what we are seeking? Is our relationship with Him our number one priority? Is our true desire to return to live with Him again in the Celestial Kingdom? Are we willing to do everything that it takes to do so?

If so, is our relationship our family our second priority? Is our service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints our number three priority? Is our relationship with others our number four priority?

"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." Doctrine and Covenants 82:10.

I say these things because we are spiritual sons of God participating in a mortal experience. I truly feel that we sometimes forget this.

Do we have the faith and trust in the Lord enough to focus on the things that matter most in His eyes? Or are we content to persist in the lives we currently live?

As Melchizedek Priesthood holders, we have been chosen and asked by God to represent Him in all of our words, thoughts, and deeds. Are we living up to His call? If not, I plead that we take the steps necessary to do so.

Remember the promise that rings so clear and true throughout the Book of Mormon: "And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you." Mosiah 22:22

I share these things with you just as Nephi did with his brothers. "O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation." 2 Nephi 9:45

I humbly pray that you will ponder the things that I have been prompted to share, and that each of us can set our own "house in order". In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.