Therefore What?


What is your scripture study like right now? Now that you have cleared away at least a few pockets of time in your day, let’s start filling it! You don’t necessarily have to be in the scriptures for five hours a day, but what do YOU need to do to improve?  Maybe it is simply to read every day.  Maybe it is to study the Book of Mormon.  Maybe you need to study a certain topic.  I don’t know, but God DOES.  Ask Him and He will help you.

And speaking of asking Him, how are your prayers?  Are they the quick, “bless the food,” or the “help everyone to get home safely” kind?  Are you really taking the time to have meaningful conversations with your Heavenly Father this way? Are you taking time to listen after you pray and listen for His voice and the Savior's voice as you go throughout your day? Take some time to ponder on this.  You may already know what you need to do or you may be surprised by your answer. Whatever YOU need to do is right for you.

This is from William R. Bradford’s talk again, Unclutter Your Life.  “There are, then, some serious and soul-searching questions that we must ask ourselves. One of these questions would surely be, do I have time for prayer? I don’t mean just an occasional, quick, repetitious prayer that is like giving a wave of the hand to your Father in Heaven as you pass Him on your way to something important. I mean sincere, honest, 'from the depths of a contrite spirit and a broken heart' prayer; kneeling in humility, demonstrating to the Holy Father that you really love him; private prayer which involves you in the process of repentance and pleading for forgiveness and allows time for pondering and waiting for the answers to come.

“As you examine your list of basics, the next question would be, do I study the scriptures? If you do, you know that Lehi saw a rod of iron, which, interpreted, means the word of God. (See 1 Ne. 11:1–23.) Those who held to the rod, using it as a guide at all times, came safely through the mist of darkness and arrived at the tree of life and partook of its glorious fruit. (See 1 Ne. 8:19, 30.)

“Now the question again: do you study the scriptures? I solemnly testify that the holy scriptures are the word of God. Constant study of them is the act of holding to the iron rod. They will guide you to the tree of life. If you are one who has said, 'I want my life back,' I exhort you to go to the tree of life, where you will find the pure love of God.”

Be alert to the difference between the Spirit whispering guilt, or our need for improvement, and Satan’s attempts to discourage by making us feel bad about ourselves!  In God’s love, there is no shame.  He loves you and wants you back.  He always has an “on ramp” from where you are right now.  If you feel like you have “fallen off” from these essential habits, consider this your gentle invitation back.

“Guilt has an important role as it awakens us to changes we need to make, but there are limits to how far guilt will help us.

“Guilt is like a battery in a gasoline-powered car. It can light up the car, start the engine, and power the headlights, but it will not provide the fuel for the long journey ahead. The battery, by itself, is not sufficient. And neither is guilt” (Elder Andersen).

Consider seeing prayer and scripture study in the context of what we just discussed.  In building spiritual memory, these are the basic study course materials.  We can’t expect to develop spiritual mastery without them or time with them. 10,000 hours is a long time!  That means we don’t become a master overnight.  Why not start now or redouble your efforts if you already have by seeking to improve? I will emphasize over and over again this is a personal journey.  How is this working for YOU?  What are YOU going to do?

Your challenge is to consider and act on at least one way to improve your scripture study and one way to improve your prayers (or something else if that is what comes to your mind instead). This is completely open-ended because it is my hope you will pursue a personally tailored answer and experience.  Also consider these articles cited from this chapter for additional deeper personal understanding.

I accepted President Nelson’s challenge and can personally testify to the power that comes as we undertake a serious study of Jesus Christ.  President Nelson’s talk is a great place to start. In addition to turning to the scriptures and talks, my three favorite books when it comes to helping me understand Jesus Christ and the Atonement are A Princess Story by Jaci Wightman, The Continuous Atonement by Brad Wilcox, and The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister. However you decide to do it, your second challenge is to seriously study the Atonement with more diligence than you have ever had before.  Study about Jesus Christ like He is your last chance... because actually,  “The Savior isn’t our last chance; He is our only chance” (Sheri Dew, emphasis added). I promise you will learn something and be given extra power because of it!

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