A Wrestle Before God

Enos 1: 5-6—“(5) And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. (6) And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.”

I grew up in a family of 5 boys. That’s one older brother and 3 younger than me. I don’t think I have to say much else for you to guess there’s always been plenty of rough-housing. I think of opposition when it comes to wrestling. And oh what great feelings of satisfaction and joy come when you are triumphant, both in physical wrestles (especially when your little brother who’s actually bigger than you, thinks he take you) and in spiritual wrestles.

These spiritual wrestles may come in different forms. Maybe you feel prompted to do something, but aren’t exactly comfortable with the idea of doing it. Perhaps you’ve already done something that’s making you uncomfortable because you shouldn’t have done it, and now you must figure out how to fix it. Whatever shape these spiritual wrestles come, they tend to be a bit more difficult than physical wrestles.

A common theme found in the Book of Mormon is the power of forgiveness that can flow into our lives through faithful application of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we do make mistakes, we sin. We can receive a forgiveness of these mistakes, and this forgiveness is truly a one of the greatest forms of happiness one can embrace. However, before we feel this incredible power, there tends to be a wrestle. Please don’t let this make you hesitant to seek for that power in your life. I say you shouldn’t be hesitant, because these wrestles happen “before” God. God is on our side, and He is fighting with us.

Something I’ve learned in life is nothing worth keeping is easy getting. I’ve also found that it is in the struggle that we learn the most. We come to find and know ourselves, and we become better through it. One of the best fights we can make in this life is to be honest with ourselves. What is holding you back from your potential? What is getting in the way of your true happiness? Find it. Fight it. With the help of God, you can overcome.

The Vineyard of the Lord

             Jacob 5: 24—“And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said again unto his servant: Look hither, and behold another branch also, which I have planted; behold that I have nourished it also, and it hath brought forth fruit.”

              One of my favorite passages of scripture is found in the book of Jacob. Chapter 5 is where we find the illustrious Allegory of the Olive Trees. Jacob quotes another prophet named Zenos, relating the allegory. Basically, the allegory is a representation of us, our interaction with the world and our relationship with the Lord.

              Zenos was prophetically explaining the scattering and gathering of Israel. However, as we diligently read and ponder on the meaning of this allegory, we realize the personal applications. I don’t know much about gardening. Much is mentioned about pruning and digging and so forth. The Lord will prune us, or take things from our lives that are hindering us from achieving our potential. He will dig around the roots of our soul, in other words drive us to be humble. He will nourish us with His word, through His servants, in His way. He will graft new blessings into our daily lives. Finally, He will burn those things that are of no importance.

              I’m grateful for the process by which the Lord develops us. At times it may seem hard, bitter, never-ending, lonely. But in the end, the Lord’s work and His glory is to make us happy. Look to the future and trust Him.

Follow the Prophet, Don't Go Astray.

              Jacob 4: 6—“Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy…”

              Prophet: a person who speaks for God, or by divine inspiration. I believe in Prophets of God. In other words, I believe in a loving Heavenly Father who is willing to speak to us through his chosen servants. We frequently refer to the living prophet of God as the Lord’s mouthpiece. Today, we are blessed to have the loving guidance of our dear prophet and current president of the Church, Thomas S. Monson.

              President Monson receives revelation directly from the Lord for the benefit of us. Us! It seems as if there’s this odd misconception that the one I see as a literal servant of the Lord, is considered someone who is lying to us. Those of us who have humbly followed the counsel of holy prophets of God can boldly join me in proclaiming that is far from the truth. Prophets have been called of God to lead us. To protect us. To bring us come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. To help us have happiness in greater abundance.

              Chapter 4 in the book of Jacob shares key principles in our attitude towards following the prophet. Receiving the words of the prophets with thankful hearts can help us recognize the blessings bestowed in our lives, and will raise us to a higher plane of living allowing us to receive a fullness of blessings prepared for us. Obedience is the key to happiness in this life. Prophets are the key to learning obedience.

              I’m grateful for the continuation of the Lord’s generous pattern in calling prophets. Our prophet speaks to us frequently. Most recently he’s encouraged us to sincerely show Christ-like love in our interactions with others in a message called titled As I Have Loved You. What a holy privilege we have in listening and heeding the words of the Prophet. I know that as we do so, it can bring power and hope into our daily lives.

              “The words of the prophets are like manna to our souls.”—Carl F. McConkie

Bringing the Power of Deliverance into Our Lives

2 Nephi 9: 21—“And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto this voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of every living creature, both men, women and children… “

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the single most important principle and doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the life blood of the Gospel, and the core of everything we know, feel, and do as we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ. Experiencing joy the Atonement provides should be our life-long goal and our day to day desire. I am grateful for the power that it can bring into our lives. This power of “deliverance” is the healing and saving power that the Redeemer Himself intends to lift us with.

Imagine you’ve made a big mistake (this shouldn’t be hard because chances are we each have, myself included). This mistake has probably brought pain, maybe physical, most likely emotional. The guilt from this mistake weighs you down to the point where regret is just too small of a word to describe your feelings. There is a law that keeps everything in order, so of course you must pay for this mistake. That is what Justice requires. Now imagine your own brother steps in and says, “I will pay the price.”

The purpose of Jesus Christ coming to Earth was to meet the demands of justice. In what we call His Atonement for mankind, he suffered for our sins. As we study the scriptures we learn that he experienced all the “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind..” (Alma 7:11). However, our Savior didn’t do this just so we could be freed from our sins. He experienced all of these things so that He may know how to help and to save us.

He came into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given us this gift of grace because they love us dearly. If we will but “hearken unto his voice” the power of deliverance which comes in and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ will carry us. The greatest blessing that comes from following Christ and applying the principles of the Gospel into our lives isn’t just becoming cleansed but also being changed.

God desires our happiness and will raise us to become something greater than we are if we strive to do what He has asked of us. They way we bring the power of deliverance into our lives is simply by diligently obeying the Gospel. Follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Love God. Do all that we can to stay humble and faithful. The Atonement is infinite in reach and perfect by design. God will not fail us. Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him.
             

              “Some injuries are so hurtful and deep that healing comes only with help from a higher power and hope for perfect justice and restitution in the next life. . . . You can tap into that higher power and receive precious comfort and sweet peace.”—James E. Faust

Knock, and it Shall be Opened unto You

1 Nephi 15: 8—“… Have ye inquired of the Lord?”

Life is for learning. A few months ago, I was searching high and low for a new car. As I looked at hundreds of potential buys, I would always ask myself one question, “Can this car get me from A to B?” (and most cars listed in the KSL classifieds couldn’t). However, I hope that when we examine our lives we do not ask ourselves, “Have I made it to B?” or “Will I ever make it to B?” Instead I hope that we can have faith. I pray that I can constantly look forward in confidence and know that the Lord will provide a way for me to make it to ‘B’. I also feel it is important that we ask ourselves, “What have I learned or what have I become in the process of traveling to point B?”

Life is full of questions. These questions are the foundation of our learning. Each question we face faithfully and courageously helps us to grow. I feel like the Lord will occasionally let us face confusion and uncertainty. He wants us to turn to him and inquire of Him. 1 Nephi 15 proceeds the account of Lehi’s dream and later Nephi’s vision, which is an interpretation of his father’s dream. In the first few verses, we read yet another interesting interaction between Nephi and his elder brothers. Nephi understands what his father is teaching, his brothers do not. Keep in mind they all heard their father’s dream at the same time. They each heard it the same way the others did. But there was a big difference between what Nephi did with the information he received and what his brothers did.

Nephi is an excellent learner. He desired to know what Lehi was talking about, and he believed that the Lord was able to teach him what it meant. He pondered in his heart and then received revelation in the same manner as his father. Laman and Lemuel disputed over the subject. When Nephi asked them, “..have ye inquired of the Lord?” they told him they had not, because they did not believe the Lord would answer their question.

Heavenly Father is the creator of the universe. He is all-knowing, and gives freely to those that ask. So why do we not ask? Doubt can be overcome as we humble ourselves, ask by the prayer of faith, and wait patiently for him to answer. I know God answers prayers. He may not do it when we want him to, or in the way we want him to, but He will answer our faith filled prayers. When we receive answers from a sincere inquiry to the most high, it brings much peace into our lives. This knowledge we gain shapes and defines our lives. It helps us to become what God needs us to be along the path from A to B.

The next time you have a question that just seems unanswerable, I challenge you to ask yourself, “Have you inquired of the Lord?” I promise that as we do so with a sincere hear and pure intent, we will receive answers.

              “The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching”—Joseph Smith Jr.

Don't just go through trials, Grow through trials.

1 Nephi 2: 15—“And my father dwelt in a tent.”

The Book of Mormon contains eternal truth and simple teachings that can bring joy into our daily lives and divine direction in an ever so darkening world.  A common theme found in this volume of holy scripture is that happiness is within our reach. I believe in a loving God who is the father of our spirits. He wants to see His children succeed, find true joy, and become something greater than what we are now, although He is very proud of how hard we work and how far we’ve come.

As we read from the pages of the Book of Mormon, we learn that God usually does not teach us in the most comfortable circumstances. I grew up in the church (I’ll be forever grateful for that, mom and dad). I’ve studied the Book of Mormon for Seminary, Sunday School, personal study, and even daily with my family. Every time I came across 1 Nephi 2:15, I thought the passage was a little irrelevant. Never have I thought it had any significant meaning, until class on Wednesday (Religion 275. Go Cougs. Go Brother Griffin).

The “tent” that Lehi dwelt in represents the stepping stone between the sacrifices he’s made to obey the commandments of the Lord (WILLINGLY), and the “promised land” or the blessings (happiness) promised to us by our loving Heavenly Father. Remember, Lehi and his family most likely enjoyed a great life back in Jerusalem. Leaving was indeed a sacrifice, but it was necessary for fulfilling the purposes of God. Again remember, that purpose is our success. Our happiness. Our potential.

When you find yourself in your “tents”, be faithful. At times we (I’m included in ‘we’) let our environment or our circumstances get the best of us. Life is hard. However, location does not determine happiness. I’m certain Lehi was happy in that tent of his. Be confident that God is making you great in something we call the refiner’s fire. Know that Heavenly Father has happiness and joy in store for us, so long as we keep His commandments and endure to the end. GROW through trials!

              “Don’t let distractions or circumstances keep you from your future.” -Jim Rohn