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.

Choices

This was a talk that I shared on the 28th of December for the College 3rd Stake:

Choices

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

"I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives. He lives, He lives who once was dead. He lives my ever living head."

1. He lives to comfort me when faint.
2. He lives to hear my souls complaints.
3. He lives my hungry soul to feed.
4. He lives to bless in time of need.

How does one obtain these promised blessings? How can we feel the power of our Saviors endless love toward us? How can you come to know your Savior and Redeemer personally, one on one?

My dear brothers and sisters, it all begins with one of the greatest gifts our Father-in-Heaven has ever given to each one of us: The Gift of Free Agency or Choice. From the beginning we were given the ability and freedom to choose.

In Moses 3:15-17 it reads:

"And I, the Lord God, took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden, to dress it, and to keep it. And I, the Lord God, commanded the man, saying: 'Of every tree of the Garden of Eden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

As it reads in Moses 3, we come to understand that we are granted the choice to live how we want. But we are also taught that with every choice we make there will always be a consequence, and that we cannot choose our consequence.

President David O. McKay has written, "Next to the bestowal of life itself, the right to direct that life is God's greatest gift to man...Freedom of choice is more to be treasured than any posession earth can give. It is inherent in the spirit of man. It is a divine gift to every normal being...Everyone has this most precious of all life's endowments - the gift of free agency - man's inhereited and inalienable right." (Improvement Era, Feb. 1962, p. 86)

Each of us has experienced the joys and sorrows of our own choices. In knowing these joys and sorrows in our own experiences, I ask each of you,

1. "Is it important for each of us to make the right choices for our own personal growth and success in life?"
2. How do we ensure that we are going to make the right choices and decisions in our personal lives?"

In Doctrine and Covenants 64:33 it reads, "Wherefore, be not weary in well doing. For ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of the small things proceedeth that which is great."

In Alma 37:6 it reads, "Now ye suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

Many of us, and many times in our lives dismiss the little things in life because they are not spectacular, or don't give us the attention, or rush that we get out of the huge or "big" things in life. But I ask each of you to remember what these scriptures read: "...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

For some of us, we may not know what to choose or what to even do with our lives whether it be to go to school, what major to choose, who to hang out with, how to get in shape, who to marry, how to get out of debt, how to be more social, etc. Remember, start with the small and simple things.

Do you remember a movie called, "What about Bob?"

Bob was afraid of everything! He had pills for every phobia known to man. One day his Therapist encouraged him to read a book that he had written titled, "Baby Steps". As Bob left the office, he repeated out loud, "Baby steps to the door, baby steps down the hall, baby steps to the elevator...." You get the point. The same principle applies to us in our lives, especially when we don't have the courage to make a choice or don't know which choice to make. Try taking "Baby Steps".

Our lives are journeys, and at times we need to focus on the small and simple things to continue that journey. The Advesary is very cunning and deceptive and uses all means around us to distract us from true joy and happiness. But with the small and simple things we can "see" what is right and wrong.

What are those small and simple things?

1. Say Daily Prayers
2. Study the Book of Mormon Daily
3. Go to and participate in Church each Sunday
4. Go to and participate in Family Home Evening
5. Study your Patriarchal Blessings
6. Attending the Temple Regularly

Why is it that the prophets and apostles continually encouraged us to do these things? That may be up to you to decide.

But for me, each of these "small and simple things" gives me the opportunity to feel the influence of the Spirit and to be taught to know what is right and what is wrong. It also helps me gain an eternal perspective and seeking to know what path the Lord would want me to go on my journey. I know that I am weak, and that the Lord is my Shepherd and he will lead me to joy and happiness in this life and in the life to come.

I encourage each of you to seek opportunites and to find ways to achieve balance in your lives. Understand what your roles and stewardships are in life.

If you struggle spiritually, physically, financially, mentally, socially, culturally, ask the Lord to help you find a mentor for that area of your life that will help you become who you want to be. But don't only ask, seek out that person - take "Baby Steps"

I close this morning with the following two scriptures:

"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them, 'My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, 'O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matt. 26:36-39)

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:9-14)

I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Come to know Him, seek Him diligently in your lives. He knows each of you personally and understands what you need to be happy and experience joy in this life. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true and restored church. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is our Prophet, Seer, and Revelator today. Seek the Father's will daily.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.