Internalizing the Scriptures

Doctrine & Covenants 84:85 - …treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.

Doctrine & Covenants 100:5 - …I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men…

Words of life = thoughts I shall put into your hearts = The Scriptures

I appreciate those verses more now that I understand how big a part the Scriptures and words of the prophets play in our lives. I testify that the scriptures are the Word of God and reading them and internalizing them will enable us to have the Spirit with us in any situation.

Keeping Faith Active

Enos 1:15-17 (Enos was concerned because the Lamanites swore they would destroy all the records)

15 Wherefore, I knowing that the Lord God was able to preserve our records, I cried unto him continually, for he had said unto me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it.

16 And I had faith, and I did cry unto God that he would preserve the records; and he covenanted with me that he would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time.

17 And I, Enos, knew it would be according to the covenant which he had made; wherefore my soul did rest.

Two things struck me about this passage:

1) Enos knew the Lord could preserve the records, (faith)

2) but he also knew that he needed to ask for the Lord to do it. (acting on his faith through prayer)

Faith is active, not passive. Just like Joseph Smith's revelations during the Restoration--they came after he pondered and prayed.

It is my prayer that we will keep faith active in our lives.

Looking Inside

Proverbs 16:2

2 All the ways of man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

This scripture helps us realize that we ought to examine our lives carefully, because we sometimes tend to trivialize or rationalize our sins. I know that happens with me.

May the Lord bless us to continue to do better.

Qualifications for the Gift of the Holy Ghost

2 Nephi 31:13

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

Notice that nothing in this scripture talks about being perfect--just having a real willingness to follow Christ, sincerely repent and take upon us His name. Basically, doing everything we can to keep His name sacred in our lives. May the Lord help us all to do so.