This week has basically been about how we can get direct access to the Lord. And today I wanted to focus on a section in the Bible, it’s Lamentation chapter 3. In this Chapter the author is unknown and some believe that it is a personification of the city of Jerusalem, but others believe that it is simply referring to the author himself and his own desperation.
This man speaks about all the horrible things that are happening to him and then he says in verse 22It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portions, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. 25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
And I chose this to finish off the week because there are times that no matter how hard we try or how much we pray, or how hard we are knocking there is still no relief to our suffering. We are asking, seeking and knocking and stretching and drawing near and learning and pondering and studying and yet, we still feel that utter desperation of, why do these things keep happening when I’m trying so hard to reach out?
When I was first diagnosed bipolar, my husband and I were already going through some difficulties. So this diagnosis was kind of like the last straw of our desperation. And then came the problems of trying to find a medication or recipe of medications that would work for me. I was a photographer and while I was in the hospital my husband had to go through my calendar and cancel all of my upcoming sessions and get by business in order, take care of himself and take care of me. His business was struggling and there were a lot of things going on there that required his attention. Plus we have the two boys (his sons) that required a lot at that time due to their young age. To say that there was a lot of stress was a huge understatement. It was hard on both of us. But especially difficult for Him. He was just trying so hard to hold it all together. I remember him coming home from work one day after another long and less than fruitful day, and saying with utter desperation in his voice, “over this past month I feel like I am constantly getting punched in the gut and getting kicked when I’m already down. I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I just want to quit getting punched.”
But the punches continued to roll in as we struggled through this crisis. The stress was weighing heavy on him. He wasn’t eating, he wasn’t sleeping well, and he was losing hope and losing weight! And I became extremely worried about him.
One day after much stretching and reaching and asking and knocking and pleading with the Lord. We came to the conclusion that something was physically not right with him and that he needed to seek medical attention. This was the last thing he needed on the long list of things to take care of. But he followed his impressions and went to see a Dr. Turns out he had what is called a stress reaction, brought on by everything that he was dealing with. The dr. was able to help with it and he was able to slowly get back to his normal self. He was finally able to find the “peace” that the Savior brings to us in our hour of great need.
As we close out this week I just want you to know with a surety that our Savior is behind that door. Even when it seems like there is not one more thing you can take. He will find a way to bring you the peace you are searching for. To quote Elder Holland’s words, “Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. Of this I can attest.”
Take hope in the Lord my friends.
Have a beautiful weekend and I’ll talk to you again next week!
Staying on our topic for this week, I want to switch gears a little bit and talk about how we can grow closer to Christ through our efforts of preparing to receive answers to our questions, to our trials, to our struggles.
And I wanted to start by sharing a couple of verses from my favorite sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88. And I think that the reason that it’s my favorite is BECAUSE when it was given to the prophet Joseph Smith he said that it was given as the Lord’s message of peace to us. And I just truly feel that peace in several verses of this section. But today I just want to read verses 63-64. It says:
63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
64 Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;
So in these verses what stands out to me is the words DRAW NEAR”.
What does it mean to draw near? Well if I were to break this down let’s look at the word Draw. First it is an action word. The Lord is asking us to make an effort to do something to come closer to Him. The definition that I believe is being used here is : To cause to move in a particular direction by or as if by a pulling force; to bring toward oneself, as if by inherent force or influence.
And I just thought that definition was so interesting because it really expresses a need or a force to be pulled toward. It makes me think of a big windstorm where you have your back to the wind and it is actually pushing you in a direction. So we draw near to Him and then He will draw near to us. So it’s as if the force from the wind at our backs is pushing us toward the Savior. He’s asking us to let that force move us to come closer to Him.
I came across another talk by President Nelson from april 2017 He describes several ways that we can draw near to the Savior. But this is the one that stood out to me
“An element in drawing the Savior’s power into our lives is to reach up to Him in faith. Such reaching requires diligent, focused effort.
Do you remember the biblical story of the woman who suffered for 12 years with a debilitating problem? She exercised great faith in the Savior, exclaiming, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.”
This faithful, focused woman needed to stretch as far as she could to access His power. Her physical stretching was symbolic of her spiritual stretching.” He goes on to say.
“Many of us have cried out from the depths of our hearts a variation of this woman’s words: “If I could spiritually stretch enough to draw the Savior’s power into my life, I would know how to handle my heart-wrenching situation. I would know what to do. And I would have the power to do it.
When you reach up for the Lord’s power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him—when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw His power into your life—you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do.
When you spiritually stretch beyond anything you have ever done before, then His power will flow into you.”
And so today as you think about that word and how it is like a force, almost an urgency to get to the Savior. Think about what we talked about on Monday about the hike to see the Savior. Imagine that the last stretch is the most difficult of the entire journey, it takes everything you have to get to the door where He awaits. But then there will be peace. I promise you that He longs for you to draw near to Him with such force that He has no choice but to enfold you in his waiting arms.
Guys, have a great day and remember that He loves you and you can do this! We’ll wrap up this topic tomorrow! Talk to you then.
Today we are going to talk about a way that the Lord tells us to expect personal revelation and how to move in the right direction, so staying on our topic of asking, seeking and knocking. On Wednesdays we will be using direction from women in the gospel. I will be referencing a talk today given by Aileen H. Clyde in the 1994 October Conference. I love looking back over past talks and learning from women that have come before us. So much knowledge to be learned from.
As we talked about yesterday, the knocking part is how we are going to receive our answers from the Lord. And my example today is going to involve Ribbon jello, and a scripture found in Isaiah 28:10,and 2 Nephi 28:30. Both of these scriptures talk about a process about the way the Lord teaches us.
So before I talk about that I am going to talk about Ribbon Jello also known as rainbow jello. Now we as members of the LDS church are quite well known for our green jello recipe that can be found at most get togethers or funerals. It’s very easy to make and delicious which is why it’s so popular in the meals that we supply to those in need or just for fun celebrations. But ribbon jello, on the other hand, is quite a bit more difficult to make but equally delicious. And let me just tell you, it makes a really cool presentation! It looks absolutely amazing when it is finished (I think I’ve only made it a couple of times when the kids were little because, well, it’s a process!).
I am totally going to link a recipe in the show notes just in case you want to try it! So here is the basic process. If you’ve ever made jello, you know that it is pretty darn easy. Just get a little package of jello and dissolve in boiling water, once dissolved add cold water (my mom always said the speedy way was to add ice instead of cold water) until a gelatin starts to form. Then you put it in your desired dish and then let it set up in the fridge until firm but jiggly. Usually about 30 min. Wah lah jello!
Well in rainbow jello, you do this same process several times in several flavors of different colors, that’s how you make the rainbow. But there is a slight catch: there is a delicious layer that is white in between each colored layer and that is what makes it so delicious and beautiful to look at. So by the time you finish your layers it has taken hummm maybe around 9 or so hours. Now you understand why I’ve only made it twice in my life, lol. It is quite the process!
So how does this relate to receiving answers from the Lord? Well, first off it’s a process. Like we’ve already talked about briefly, there are certain steps that you need to follow in order to get your desired outcome or answer from the Lord.
The reason that I liked Sister Clyde’s talk is because she shared what I am going to share with you, but also related it to charity and we all know how much us sisters in the gospel love to take meals (and desserts) to take to those in need. So it’s fun that she made this comparison.
So here is the secret (not so secret) way that we usually receive answers from the Lord.
“For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom” (2 Ne. 28:30).
In Sister Clyde’s talk she says “Charity develops in us as we see ourselves moving in our lives from a “what’s in it for me” kind of love to the love of family and friends and, blessedly, beyond that to an awareness of our Lord’s unconditional love for us that tells us of our divine kinship with one another and with him. Such love, or charity, does not spring whole and steady in most lives, but it can come as we learn and grow and reach for ways to know God’s love.”
I love that so much! Because it basically explains how we can develop the ability to receive personal revelation or answers to our questions from the Lord in a way that is easier to digest.
It is a process! And we shouldn’t expect to receive all of our answers or counsel from the Lord in one visit. It will come line upon line, just like our rainbow jello. It’s learning through the process that the Lord is more than willing to share with us all the secrets of the universe and to all the little details in our lives.
So my challenge to you today is to remember that it’s totally a process. And even though sometimes the answers don’t seem to come in a timely manner, or on our time. They will definitely come BECAUSE, the Lord wants more than anything to give us all that we need and require to live a most joyous life. Maybe you can even try the rainbow jello recipe and if you do be sure to take a photo because you will want that one for years to come. And I would love to see it!
That’s all for today my friends. Have a great one, and we’ll do this all again tomorrow!
Good morning my friends! As you recall, our topic this week is Ask, Seek, Knock. On Tuesday’s we will be looking back to previous conference addresses. Today I will be referencing President Russell M. Nelson’s 2009 general conference address of the same name. If you get the chance I highly recommend you go and listen to it. I’ll link it in the show notes. In it he talks about how we are so blessed to have wireless technology in these times. Most people can talk to anyone, anytime, almost anywhere! We also have the ability to see loved ones almost anytime and anywhere. It is such a great tool that we have to help us keep in close contact with those we love.
But one of the most marvelous gifts that has been given us is to be able to access our Father in Heaven and our Savior. We have direct access anywhere, anytime, and anyplace. And it is available to ALL of God’s children! We are so blessed and yet do we take the time and make the effort to access this great gift?
As I was thinking about the gift of technology I was reminded about an experience that I had just last week with my 2 year old granddaughter. She had messaged me on Marco Polo just to tell me about her little fall. She sobbed with the most tender little cry “Gigi, I fall down, Gigi I miss you!” It was so precious and I loved it so much. And that made me think about our Savior and how he looks forward to hearing every detail about our day. I think sometimes we get caught up in routine prayers. And while He loves to hear from us, how much more anxious do you think He would be if He knew he was going to be able to have a conversation with you, who he loves so deeply? I know that through several experiences of my own that he does hear me.
And I wanted to share that with you today. When I was a young mother with 4 children under the age of 6, I was really struggling with my oldest child. He wasn’t listening or minding, in fact he was outright defiant doing everything in his power to make life miserable for all of us.
I remember one particular night I had had all I could take and I knelt for my night time prayers. Father in Heaven, Please I pleaded, please help me to know what this child needs. I feel like I have exhausted everything and I just need some help here. Immediately the words came into my mind, “just love him”. At the time I remember thinking well of course I love him. And then I heard it again, just love him. And I remember this peace coming over me, allowing me to see my son from a different perspective. Now I’m not going to say things changed overnight, it was definitely a process for me to forget the actions that he was doing and just respond in love. But over time it worked. The Lord knew what I needed and how to remedy the situation.
Now I recognize that may be such a small thing, but if there is one thing I have learned over time it is that the Lord is very much involved in the details of our lives. And He wants to help us, we just need to knock on that door.
Not all of our answers will come to us during our prayerful pleas. Sometimes they will come to us through music or thoughts throughout our day. Or maybe they will come through the words of someone close to us. But each of these is considered personal revelation.
President Nelson said “To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to “ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ.” “Real intent” means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given.”
“For each of you to receive revelation unique to your own needs and responsibilities, certain guidelines prevail. The Lord asks you to develop “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.” Then with your firm “faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence,” you may ask, and you will receive; you may knock, and it will be opened unto you.”
So my challenge to you today is to try and have a 2 sided conversation in your personal prayers sometime this week. Take a few deep breathes to slow things down and then open your heart and mind and pause between each phrase. And listen for the Lord’s response. I would love to know how this works out for you. Please let me know in the reviews, it would be so fun so share some of our experiences of praying in this manner. Have a great day and we’ll do it again tomorrow!
When I first was given the prompting to start a podcast along with this blog, I’ll admit I was quite overwhelmed. I didn’t have any experience in podcasting or editing or building content… other than my blog which I have struggled to stay consistent with. So this undertaking has taken a lot of faith and trust in the Lord, even during the weeks that I am not recording.Thats when I find myself doubting my abilities and the little ripple that I am making in my little corner of the world.
One thing that I am sure of is that we all doubt ourselves and our abilities at times. It is Satan’s way to discourage and distract us away from the things that will bring change and so much goodness into the world.
Reading back in my journal recently, I realized that I had lost sight of what my original prompting was. And so I felt a little chastised maybe as I read that what the intended need in the beginning, was to give daily upliftment in the form of mini snippets 5-7 min. easy to listen to recordings of the word of God. Through scriptures, conference talks both past and present and examples of great women and men of the gospel. Think 9th article of faith: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And if you don’t know what an article of faith is, click here and you can find out more about what we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ believe.
When looking back at the past recordings that I have done. I have weaved that into my presentations. But I just never felt completely at peace with what I was doing. There was always that nagging, that I wasn’t doing it the way that the Lord intended for me to do.
I’m not sure why I struggled with the original prompting. Maybe because I don’t feel like a scriptorian, or a student of theology so to speak. I tend to see my flaws as most of us do. But one thing that I am completely sure of is that my Love for the Lord and his gospel is the most prominent part of my life. I LOVE the scriptures, all of them. I love our prophets and for members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I love our heritage and history. Are we a perfect people? No, we are not. But most of us strive, we STRIVE, to live the gospel in the best way we know how. Of course we are going to fall short at times. Of course we are human and will offend and not be liked at times. And that’s ok. It is ok. After all, the church was not built for perfect people, the scriptures do not teach perfect people, nor do they teach OF perfect people. Except Jesus of course. The scriptures and church are for the imperfect, the broken, the lost and wandering. For those who are seeking the truth. And oh how they are given to us with such deep and abiding love from our Lord and Savior.
So this week and for who knows how long, remember I am striving. I will be coming to you daily with a little pinch of hope, peace and joy. I hope you like the new change and will stick around. It might be a little bumpy at first. But I know that what the Lord has in mind is the best direction to go. So let’s go.
This week’s topic comes from scriptures that can be found both in the bible Matthew 7:7-8 and from the Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 14:7-8 and D&C 88:64-65
On Monday’s we will shallow dive into the Book of mormon, and modern day scripture. We’ll call it Book of Mormon Monday. So we will start with 3 Nephi 14:7-8 it reads: Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; And to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
And just for reference we will read D&C 88:63-64Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall recieve; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you.
I chose this particular scripture one because I have been using it to figure out my next steps with this podcast. I was going back and forth about whether to keep doing the podcast or give it up all together, when I came across this passage. And I love that it is in all of the scriptures despite a few wording differences. I also like to use the KJV study bible version of the bible because I think it’s important to note the differences and similarities with other Christian translations of the Bible than the one Latter Day Saints normally use, when studying. And I love that it also has a section at the bottom that gives more insight into that particular scripture passage. We will be discussing that more on Friday. So stay tuned for that.
So I just wanted to talk for a few minutes on how we can put this scripture passage to work in our lives. It’s a popular scripture that many christians know by heart and for good reason. It holds beautiful promises from our Savior that He is ALWAYS there for us. No matter what is happening in our lives. I love the words ask, seek, knock.
The word “ask” means to request information, to inquire of, to try and get something. We usually do this in the form of a prayer. We settle upon a question or struggle that we are having and then we take it to the Lord. I imagine in my mind that I am about to approach the door to which the Savior stands behind pondering what my particular request, or need is. I think of what I am seeking in His answer as I knock. Seeking means to go in search of, to try to find, discover, or obtain.
So just for the sake of an example. Imagine that you have your question or struggle and in order to get the answer you have to hike to a steep place where there is a door that you will knock on and the Savior will be there to give you the answer. All along that path you are encountered with rocks and detours and branches of which you need to navigate. It takes work. Seek is an action word. It suggests that you are putting forth some effort. So you might prepare yourself by searching for the answer on your own or coming up with some sort of plan and then as you are hiking you are thinking about that and what you might expect in return from the Savior who is beyond the door awaiting your knock. I picture Him waiting anxiously and in anticipation. Much like that of a mother or father who is always willing and waiting to give advice to their children. He cares so much about you and knows that this is really important to you.
As you ascend to the top of the mountain you have done a lot of the work needed to receive your answer. You have questioned, you have pondered, you have done the work to get there but you need to know that what you are pondering is right or maybe you have no idea and you just need to be guided in the right direction. You knock and wait patiently. And your patience is rewarded when the Savior is there to open the door promptly and invite you inside to sit with Him.
I feel like when I imagine this process, I come knocking with a more humble and open heart to what the Lord has for me in return. He promises “it shall be given…It shall be found… it shall be opened to you.”
I can’t promise that you will find the answers to your questions immediately upon your “knock” but I do know that when you come to the Lord with an open heart and mind, that He will not let you down. He is there to surround you in His peace, comfort and knowledge. He will never ever turn you away.
So today if you journal or write things down. I want you to think of a time when you have gone through the process we talked about and what your experience was. Write it down. Because being able to go back to these experiences in times of need will remind you of how willing the Savior is to open that door wide when we come knocking.
Have a great day my friends and I’ll talk to you again tomorrow!
Pointing Toward Hope 