Can you imagine what it would be like to have been living in the time of Christ? What would it have been like to sit at the feet of the ancient Apostles of the Lamb? I know that Christ's church has been restored to the earth and that He has prophets here again who speak and help us to know what the world needs to do to keep our families safe. The Living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson holds all the keys of the kingdom that Christ gave to Peter.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Thomas S. Monson will be speaking, along with the living 12 Apostles today and tomorrow. (October 5-6, 2013) and you can hear what they have to say about the world we live in by visiting this link -> Watch General Conference.
In life we are asked to make all kinds of commitments. Whether we are committing to donate, time, money, help, or anything else. If we just think about it we aren't going to go anywhere. That is why it is so important to commit to do the right things instead of just having wishful thinking. As the saying that goes: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". I've been able to see that over and over as I've been striving to serve the Lord. The devil doesn't always try to get us to do bad things, he'll settle for stopping us from doing the right things.
The Lord has commanded us to pray (3 Nephi 18:19), but as the devil is always in opposition to God, "...the evilspiritteacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray" (2 Nephi 32:8). The way he draws us away from our Heavenly Father is not, at first, by large and drastic means. It is merely to stop communication to God. Once we lose communication with God though we are losing our ground spiritually and are slowing edging toward the devil's territory. All because we weren't committed to daily personal communication to our Father in Heaven.
I've seen so many goals get set, by myself and by others that just seem to fall by the wayside. I've come to realize that the reason goals, especially spiritual ones don't seem to be achieved is because of lack of commitment. We had great intentions, but we were able to be swayed from our course by the influences of the adversary.
Goals are great, but if we truly want to be able to be like our Savior it takes commitment and not merely good intentions. I'm found that once we are able to sit back and truly commit ourselves to doing the will of the Lord instead of our own will, that is when we are able to be strengthened and empowered by Him. Often we sit and wait for the miracle before we will exercise our faith, but miracles come after faith. That is how it works. I know that once we commit to the Lord to do something and we truly are committed, He will open up the way so that we can hold to our commitment.
I know Christ lives. I know that He has power to help us overcome any obstacles that we face if we will truly turn to Him and act in faith. Once we commit to Him and can keep commitments, then we are becoming prepared to make and keep covenants with Him. Covenants are the way of promising the Lord and receiving a promise in return. Commit to the Lord to pray daily and to open the scriptures and you will find strength to commit to much harder things! I know this to be true. In the name of Christ our Savior. Amen.
I grew up in the city of Farmington, Utah. I lived most of my life in a desert where we don't get rain very often and whenever we did, it was something to be excited about. Since then, I've traveled to live in Florida to spend two years of my life teaching others about Christ and how His gospel and Priesthood authority were restored to the Earth through a living prophet in the 1820's and 1830's (Learn about The Restoration here). While here I've realized that rain is not such a special thing to people who get soaked with it almost everyday. I've since learned that you have to be prepared for the rain in a moments notice because there are days you literally only have seconds to get ready because you can see a wall of rain getting closer and closer. I've learned that early and preemptive preparations are the key to staying dry and comfortable no matter the weather. So it is with our life.
The Storms of Life
Life is good at taking all of us by surprise. I know it hits me upside the head all the time. So we have to find a way to be ready for whatever life my throw at us. When Christ was on the Earth He was able to say to the raging sea "Peace, be still" and the storm ceased (Mark 4:39). I don't know about you, but I have never been able to tell a storm to quiet down and have it listen to my opinion. Christ is the one who created this world and He is the one who has power over it. As we turn to Christ and His teachings and put Him first. Then we shall have all the protection that we need.
"But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his
holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;"
The key to having protection from the storms of life and the sins and temptations that the devil continually is trying to throw at us to slow us down is humility. When we are truly humble we are willing to submit to anything that the Lord feels is necessary for us to learn to become like Him. He shows us our weaknesses so that we can know that it is only through Christ that we are able to do anything good in this life.
"Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that
it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of
men, that we have power to do these things."
So remember that next time the storms of life approach and it seems that you only have seconds to get ready, if you've been striving to follow your Savior, things will work out for your good. I know that as we follow His directions life goes on and we can have peace in us no matter the storms of our surroundings. We can be comforted in knowing that the Lord is watching over us and is never far away. I know He loves you. I know He loves me. Let us all love one another and draw nearer to our Savior. In His name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
"For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
