This morning when I was reading the Sunday School lesson (#15 I Am the Light of the World), a particular quote jumped out at me:
Elder John K. Carmack of the Seventy said: “Jesus explained, ‘If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself’ (John 7:17). In other words, as you try it you can know it is true. This requires the faith to try, but it yields spiritual evidence. To the disciple who tries the experiment will come conviction, knowledge, and light” (Ensign, Nov. 1988, 26).
Of course, I immediately thought of Alma 32 and his unsurpassed explanation of the importance of planting the seed.
We teach our little children to pray, but it actually takes many years before they turn to pray in times of pain, heartache or even rejoicing. They have to experiment upon the word. The same can be true fasting. Sometimes that takes a crisis before someone immediately thinks of fasting on their own. Even something as frequent as partaking of the sacrament has to be experienced in a particular way. During this mission I have looked up the sacrament prayers and during the quiet time, I sometimes read them in Spanish and sometimes in English, but I have tried to reflect on whether or not I have taken upon me the name of Christ during the week and how I might do it better in the coming week.
I think that is true of temple ordinances as well. Most everyone I know was a little overwhelmed when they received their endowments. It takes attending many times before you begin to fully grasp the significance of the gift you have received. As we have been on this mission, I have been in the temple 5 days a week for about 6 hours. My understanding and love for every area is many times greater than ever before. As I listen or speak the words of the various ordinances: initiatory, sealings, endowments, I am so very grateful for our Heavenly Father’s Plan. A testimony of temple ordinances comes from attending frequently and prayerfully listening. It takes having a heart open to whisperings of the Spirit.
I’m grateful we aren’t expected to understand any principle on the first exposure—even the basic things, such as prayer. I’m thankful the Lord is patient with us as we struggle, question and ask the same questions more than once. I’m thankful, as a mother, I was able to teach my children and watch them grow as they planted the seeds for themselves and learned to do the Savior’s will until they knew it was from him—as was spoken of by the Apostle John (as cited in the quote from Sunday School).
I’m grateful I’ve had this missionary experience and have enjoyed the spirit and blessings of the temple on a daily basis.
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This morning when I was reading the Sunday School lesson (#15 I Am the Light of the World), a particular quote jumped out at me:
Elder John K. Carmack of the Seventy said: “Jesus explained, ‘If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself’ (John 7:17). In other words, as you try it you can know it is true. This requires the faith to try, but it yields spiritual evidence. To the disciple who tries the experiment will come conviction, knowledge, and light” (Ensign, Nov. 1988, 26).
Of course, I immediately thought of Alma 32 and his unsurpassed explanation of the importance of planting the seed.
We teach our little children to pray, but it actually takes many years before they turn to pray in times of pain, heartache or even rejoicing. They have to experiment upon the word. The same can be true fasting. Sometimes that takes a crisis before someone immediately thinks of fasting on their own. Even something as frequent as partaking of the sacrament has to be experienced in a particular way. During this mission I have looked up the sacrament prayers and during the quiet time, I sometimes read them in Spanish and sometimes in English, but I have tried to reflect on whether or not I have taken upon me the name of Christ during the week and how I might do it better in the coming week.
I think that is true of temple ordinances as well. Most everyone I know was a little overwhelmed when they received their endowments. It takes attending many times before you begin to fully grasp the significance of the gift you have received. As we have been on this mission, I have been in the temple 5 days a week for about 6 hours. My understanding and love for every area is many times greater than ever before. As I listen or speak the words of the various ordinances: initiatory, sealings, endowments, I am so very grateful for our Heavenly Father’s Plan. A testimony of temple ordinances comes from attending frequently and prayerfully listening. It takes having a heart open to whisperings of the Spirit.
I’m grateful we aren’t expected to understand any principle on the first exposure—even the basic things, such as prayer. I’m thankful the Lord is patient with us as we struggle, question and ask the same questions more than once. I’m thankful, as a mother, I was able to teach my children and watch them grow as they planted the seeds for themselves and learned to do the Savior’s will until they knew it was from him—as was spoken of by the Apostle John (as cited in the quote from Sunday School).
I’m grateful I’ve had this missionary experience and have enjoyed the spirit and blessings of the temple on a daily basis.
.JPG)
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