I want to know and know that I know. I want to have the confidence in Christ that my actions are in accordance with His will. This morning as I studied, seeking for direction for today, I opened the May 2009 Ensign. This morning it opened to Elder Packer's talk titled Finding Strength in Challenging Times! It's fabulous!
He says:
"We must know—and know that we know. We must stand spiritually and temporally independent of all worldly creatures."
"Joseph Smith told us to watch for answers by paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that come into our minds. Over time we will learn to recognize these as promptings.
He said: “A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.”"
"Merely asking a question, even in our minds, will start to open the window."
"In time, a personal witness will come and we will know—and know that we know. We will then be independent of all other worldly things, for “by the power of the Holy Ghost [we] may know the truth of all things” which are right and expedient for us. We will receive strength, comfort, and help to make good decisions and act with confidence in troubled times."
This confidence is the confidence I seek. To know and know that I know. That was the witness I received Sunday in class. I have been given witnesses so many times! I must merely ask, and the Lord will bless me with guidence and direction. Doubt not, Fear Not! The Future is as bright as your Faith, and if we have the faith to move mountains, to temper the elements of weather, to plant 270 trees, to raise a righteous family in the mist of this world... He can make it so if we rely on His arm for guidence, protection, and strength! Yes, even strength beyond the point of fatigue!
I know, and I know that I know. Elder Packer closes with lines from a hymn:
"Rise up, O men and women of God! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the king of kings!"
Merely ask my question!
He says:
"We must know—and know that we know. We must stand spiritually and temporally independent of all worldly creatures."
"Joseph Smith told us to watch for answers by paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that come into our minds. Over time we will learn to recognize these as promptings.
He said: “A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.”"
"Merely asking a question, even in our minds, will start to open the window."
"In time, a personal witness will come and we will know—and know that we know. We will then be independent of all other worldly things, for “by the power of the Holy Ghost [we] may know the truth of all things” which are right and expedient for us. We will receive strength, comfort, and help to make good decisions and act with confidence in troubled times."
This confidence is the confidence I seek. To know and know that I know. That was the witness I received Sunday in class. I have been given witnesses so many times! I must merely ask, and the Lord will bless me with guidence and direction. Doubt not, Fear Not! The Future is as bright as your Faith, and if we have the faith to move mountains, to temper the elements of weather, to plant 270 trees, to raise a righteous family in the mist of this world... He can make it so if we rely on His arm for guidence, protection, and strength! Yes, even strength beyond the point of fatigue!
I know, and I know that I know. Elder Packer closes with lines from a hymn:
"Rise up, O men and women of God! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the king of kings!"
Merely ask my question!