President Eyring said, “However much faith to obey God we now have, we will need to strengthen it continually and keep it refreshed constantly. Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation. Procrastination and inconsistency are its mortal enemies.”
Jesus said, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
Who are the elect? The elect are those who love God with all their hearts and live lives that are pleasing to him (from a guide to the scriptures). We are some of the elect and we are at risk of being deceived by false teachings if we are not prepared. Let us “awake and arouse our faculties” with a little bit of spiritual CPR. In Alma 5 we begin to learn of Alma’s ministry to the people in their cities and villages throughout the land. He taught the people of Zarahemla a pattern for spiritual CPR. In versus 11-13 he teaches us 6 things we can do to be and stay spiritually prepared. I’ve shared some insights I received as I studied these versus. What is Heavenly Father waiting to tell YOU as you study?
VS 11: Follow the Prophet – Sis. Bonnie L. Oscarson said, “We need to understand the need for the restoration of the doctrine, organization, and keys of authority in these latter days. We need to have a witness that the Prophet Joseph Smith was divinely chosen and appointed by the Lord to bring about this restoration…we need to study and understand temple ordinances and covenants. The temple holds a place at the very center of our most sacred beliefs, and the Lord asks that we attend, ponder, study and find personal meaning and application individually.” I would add that we need to have a witness that we have a modern-day prophet, even Thomas S Monson, who receives revelation for our day. We need to listen to and follow his counsel if we are to be prepared for the storms that will come.
VS 12: Exercise Faith – Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). It is a gift that comes as we CHOOSE to believe. Alma taught that faith is spiritual light and is discernable. He said, “Oh then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible…”. Faith is a principle with power, said Joseph Smith, which the adversary delights in destroying. We must do everything in our power to protect our faith. Alma said, “But, if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.” Sisters, the sun is hot! Water your faith so it can be a strength to you in difficult times.
VS 13: Repent (mighty change) – Have ye spiritually been born of God?.... Have you experienced the mighty change of heart spoken of by Alma? Do we believe the Savior when he says that, when we repent, He will remember our sins no more? Not only will He not remember them, he will strengthen us each time we use the Atonement in our lives! The scriptures use the term “waxed strong”. When I think of that term, I think of a candle being made – dipped over and over in wax a layer at a time until it is thick and strong. That is how we become strong – one layer and one experience, one renewed effort after a perceived failure at a time and HE WILL be there, through the Atonement!!
VS 13: Humble yourself /Trust in the Lord– “…and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God”. Humility is not a sign of weakness or fear. It is our willingness to bend our will to His and trust that He can see the whole picture. All is not always as it seems and, even if it is, He knows how to bless and guide us for our good if we lean unto Him and not our own understanding. Only God can see the whole of any picture.
VS 13: Endure to the end - (endure to the end doesn’t mean ‘hang on’. It means ‘press forward’). D&C 122:7-9 – “Therefore, hold on thy way….fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”
Sisters- follow the prophet, exercise faith, repent, trust in the Lord and press forward! He is with us and all will be well if we are prepared!
Love,
Michelle Holt - President
