Seeking Spirituality

Last week, we were invited to do somewhat of a presentation at a local college for one of their religious groups, called "Seeking Spirituality".  I guess the group gets together a couple of times a month, and talks amongst themselves, or invites people from congregations in the community to give their thoughts and opinions.  They asked us how we, as member of our church and as individuals, sought spirituality.

Preparing for this opportunity, I thought a lot about what spirituality even meant.  I came to the conclusion, that for me, "spirituality" was having the Holy Ghost with me at all times.  As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, when we are baptized and confirmed members, we are blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost, which means that we have the opportunity to have the presence of the Holy Ghost with us at all times, as we live worthily.

This gift is truly immeasurable.  Before we are baptized, we can feel the influence and power of the Holy Ghost.  He helps us to come to the knowledge that Jesus Christ truly is the Savior of the world, that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us and wants the best of us, and the Holy Ghost testifies of truth to us.  But to have a member of the Godhead with us, always, is an amazing promise.  We cannot become converted without His influence.  Conversion is a lifelong process, one at which we must always be working.

Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught in the last General Conference,

"We more readily receive and recognize the Spirit of the Lord as we appropriately invite Him into our lives. We cannot compel, coerce, or command the Holy Ghost. Rather, we should invite Him into our lives with the same gentleness and tenderness by which He entreats us (see D&C 42:14).     UAdd a Note 

"Our invitations for the companionship of the Holy Ghost occur in many ways: through the making and keeping of covenants; by praying sincerely as individuals and families; by searching the scriptures diligently; through strengthening appropriate relationships with family members and friends; by seeking after virtuous thoughts, actions, and language; and by worshipping in our homes, in the holy temple, and at church. Conversely, casualness about or the breaking of covenants and commitments, failing to pray and study the scriptures, and inappropriate thoughts, actions, and language cause the Spirit to withdraw from or to avoid us altogether."

As we do things things, and invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, we can be blessed with His guidance and comfort.  I know this is true, because I've seen it in my own life.  During times when I have felt lost and confused, as I turn to God in prayer and scripture study, I have felt His love and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

How has the Holy Ghost helped you in your conversion?

Preparations for War

This morning I was studying in the Book of Mormon, specifically the book of Alma, chapters 47-57.  These used to be the chapters that I would often skip over, because I was pretty tired of reading the book of Alma.  There's like, five hundred million chapters, or so it used to seem.  And besides, they didn't really seem to have a lot of spiritual significance to me, so I didn't pay them much attention.

These chapters are, for the most part, taken from an account written by a man named Helaman, who was a missionary, a prophet, and a leader.  The Lamanites, who were wicked, came up against the Nephites, who were righteous, with the intent of overtaking and destroying them.  The Nephites merely wanted to protect their lands, their wives, and their children, and ensure that the people would be free to believe whatever they wished to.  Many fierce battles followed, and as I read through the accounts this morning, some very interesting things kept standing out to me.

Whenever the Nephites would begin to rely on their own strength or disobey God's commandments, the Lamanites would begin to have victories over them.  This taught me that I should never start to think that I can do things on my own.  God has given me the strength and ability to do all things that He needs me to do, but I have to always remember that those absolutely come from Him.

A man named Moroni was the leader of the Nephite forces throughout the land, and he did his very best to make sure that the people were prepared to defend themselves.  He would instruct them in the ways that they should raise up fortifications around the city, and he taught them to rely upon God for their deliverance.  This is the part that really hit me pretty hard.  So often in my own life, I take a "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it" attitude, and so when difficult times or temptations cross my path, I may have to scramble or struggle to overcome those.  But when I am prepared, I never have to worry.

Preparing ourselves against temptation isn't nearly as difficult as preparing a city for war.  We do not have to build mighty walls of stone and earth, nor do we need to raise tall watchtowers to spy on the enemy.  Our preparation, rather, is that of simply reading the scriptures, praying to God for understanding and strength, and heeding the words of His servants, the prophets.  As we do those things consistently and with full purpose of heart, we will be more than prepared to face anything that comes our way.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

What sort of things can you do in your life to fortify and prepare yourselves?  Why not get started today?