Personal Preparation

Day three

I am still working on my quest to be more spiritually minded and my prayers this morning reflected that desire.  I also included a special blessing for each of my boys as they begin their new term in college and a blessing for my husband as he is back to work after the holiday vacation.  Life is back to normal, but we are all excited by the prospects of the new year and all the adventures it will bring!

With my prayers said, I moved on to my scripture study  D&C 66-67.  These sections are filled with some great advice regarding my endeavor to be spiritually minded.  Section 66 is for William E McLellin, he like myself, was on a quest for spirituality.  The Lord gives him the following advice:

Verse 2 - Know that this gospel is true
Verse 3 - Repent of your sins and know that the Lord will show them unto you
Verse 7 - Bear your testimony
Verse 8 - Be faithful and be made strong in every place
Verse 9 - Use the priesthood, be patient in your afflictions, ask and ye shall receive
Verse 10- Seek not to be cumbered, forsake all unrighteousness, don't commit adultery
Verse 11 - Keep these sayings and thou shalt magnify thine office
Verse 12- Continue in these things unto the end

I love that the Lord gives him more do's than don'ts.  The gospel is about knowing and doing.  I think sometimes we focus on all the things we aren't supposed to do and became frustrated and feel controlled.  I like that the focus is on doing the right things in this section and the positive blessings that come with that.

Section 67
This section is to the 10 Elders gathered to discuss the Book of Commandments or what is now called the Doctrine and Covenants.  The elders had been praying all night for some manifestation to come to bear witness to them about the truthfulness of the revelations contained in the Book of Commandments.  It wasn't happening for them and this revelation was received.  Why was it not happening?

Verse 3- Fears in your hearts  (How many of us have asked Lord for answers or guidance, but were fearful of the answers?  After all, once you know, action is required and you are accountable)
Verses 4-5 - You have Joseph Smith Jr. (the Prophet) testifying as a witness to the truthfulness
Verse 6 - A way to confirm their faith
                    -take the collection of revelations, choose the one you think would be the easiest to duplicate
                    - have the wisest among you (William McLellin was chosen) try to duplicate it
                    - if you can then you are not obligated to testify of the truthfulness
                    - if you can't then you are obligated to testify of their truthfulness
Note:  William was not able to duplicate the writings, something was missing (You can't duplicate the Spirit)

God's Logic
Verse 9 - You can find no unrighteousness in the revelations, therefore they must be righteous and righteous things come from the Father.  (I really love it when God uses logic!)

More reasons why they didn't receive some great manifestation...
verse 10 - need to strip themselves of jealousies and fears and humble themselves
                 If we are not sufficiently humble then the veil cannot be rent
verse 11 - No man has seen God that was not sufficiently prepared
verse 13 - You aren't prepared enough, but keep working on it and be patient
verse 14- Don't keep looking back and rehashing old stuff, move forward, and when you are ready it will   
                happen

This was great stuff!  I need to stop worrying about why I struggle sometimes and remember that I am still working on the preparation stage.  Keep looking forward, not stressing about things in the past, and if I keep preparing and am patient (that's the hard part) then He will reveal to me the things I need to know.

Note:  The 10 Elders do eventually attest to the divinity of the revelations and sign an affidavit.  Unfortunately, it was lost when the mob came and destroyed the manuscript and the printing press.

I really enjoyed my scripture study this morning.  It is always nice to receive advice from the Lord through the words in the scriptures.  I love it when what is happening in my life coincides with what I am studying in the scriptures.  I like to think that at that moment my timing and the Lord's timing are at the same moment.  It also reaffirms His love for me.  How awesome is God that He knows exactly what I need and when!?  What a great way to start my day!