The lesson on 2-10-13 given by Janeen Baylon was #3 from our RS manual "Lifelong Conversion: Continuing to Advance in the Principles of Truth." Our religion should be incorporated within ourselves, a part of our being that cannot be laid off.
President Snow recorded his experience as he received his own personal manifestation of the truthfulness of the gospel and the Holy Ghost. "I cannot tell how long I remained in the full flow of this blissful enjoyment and divine enlightenment, but it was several minutes before the celestial element, which filled and surrounded me, began gradually to withdraw. On arising from my kneeling posture, with my heart swelling with gratitude to God beyond the power of expression, I felt- I knew that he had conferred on me what only an Omnipotent Being can confer- that which is of greater value than all the wealth and honors worlds can bestow."
"Every man has got to learn to stand upon his own knowledge, he cannot depend upon his neighbor; every man must be independent; he must depend on his God for himself entirely. It is impossible to advance in the principles of truth, to increase in heavenly knowledge, unless we exercise our reasoning faculties and exert ourselves in a proper manner."
An example of this is Oliver Cowdery. He was promised that he would be given the power to translate the ancient records of the Book of Mormon. He thought all that was required of him was to open his mind and wait. He quickly realized this was not enough and he was not able to do what the Lord had asked him to do. He realized that he must put forth effort, think about how he might do this, and use his abilities the best as he could. He was not prepared.
The Lord responded to him in D&C 9 saying " Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you when you took no thought, save it was to ask me; but, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you."
A perfect analogy of how our religion must become a part of our being is that of a ship. We cannot separate ourselves from the things we are taught and know to be true. Our religion should be incorporated into everything we do. "Nothing can be more foolish than the idea of a man laying off his religion like a cloak or garment. There is no such thing as man laying off his religion unless he lays off himself."
"Stick to the ship of Zion. If boats come to the side, showing beautiful colors and making wonderful promises, do not get off the ship to go to the shore on any other boat; but keep on the ship. If you are badly used by any of those that are on the ship, who have not got the proper spirit, remember the ship itself is alright. We should not allow our minds to become soured because of anything the people on the ship may do to us; the ship is alright, and the officers are alright, and we will be right if we stick to the ship. I can assure you it will take you right into the land of glory."
President Smith said "And if there is any man or woman that is not fairly awake, may the time soon come that the Spirit and power of the Holy Ghost may be upon them, that it may teach them things past, present, and to come, and by the assistance of the Lord, plant righteousness and the principle of truth in their systems, that they may be prepared for the storms that are coming."
Let us seek confirmation of these truths for ourselves, "stick to the ship" and continually prepare for the storms that are coming.
Recap by Kris Eddington
No comments:
Post a Comment