He Knows All

This week while reading and studying the scriptures, specifically 2 Nephi Chapters 9 through 16, I came upon a scripture that prompted some reflection. I have been pondering this one scripture throughout the week; it has provided much food for thought. Those thoughts have been circling in my head and I will try to put them into a coherent form of communication.

I'll start with a quote: 2 Nephi 20,  O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.  This is a simple, but, far-reaching statement because He knows all, and, in his wisdom has given us all that we need to be successful in this life.

He has given us free agency, knowing that we would learn and grow in the exercising of that agency. Knowing that with the freedom to choose we might not make the best choices. He sent a Savior to atone for our sins knowing that we would succumb to temptations and need a way back from our fall. Even in that he gave us a choice; life eternal or everlasting death.  He knows what is best for us, yet we have the power to choose.

He knows us well; loves us unconditionally.  He knows our needs, our wants, our strengths, our weaknesses and fears.   He allows trials and adversity that we might become stronger, choosing the higher path. Our trials seem to be tailor-made for each of us individually.  He knows what opposition we need to face in order to grow and gives us no more than we can handle.

He has given us the Holy Ghost, the scriptures and prayer, knowing guidance and protection are needed. We can go to Him in prayer when life decisions need to be made, we can ask for his advice. We are free to take His advice or not. The Holy Ghost is meant to be our companion to keep us safe and help guide us through this mortal life.

In summary, He knows all. He knows us, what we need, allows us the freedom to choose, allows us to stumble around a bit, and is there to pick us up, lift us up, when we fall. He knows what is needed and provides all for us.  I quote again 2 Nephi 9:20, O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

I leave these thoughts with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

A Little Bit at a Time

Once again, I am posting at the prompting of my Fundamentals of Religion class.  This post is inspired by the words of Elder David A Bednar in a talk Spirit of Revelation. His words on how we receive revelation made me reflect upon my life.  Did I receive revelation? If so, when and how did I receive it? I began to reflect on my entire life. What I found was surprising to me.

It seems that the Spirit has been testifying to me my whole life.  Do you see what I see? This is a pretty truncated account, but to list everything would take far too long and you would grow bored. So here is my short, but, sweet account.

Although my family attended church while I was growing up and I knew of Christ, I did not know Him. I knew of the atonement, but did not truly understand what it meant in my life or comprehend the depth of Christ's love for us. I could not understand why the churches we attended believed in the trinity when the words of the Bible said differently.  What I understood when I read the scriptures seemed pretty plain to me; the Father, Son and Holy Ghost were separate beings. I pondered these things for years.  I wanted to have a closer relationship with the Lord and to know why I understood things differently than others. I attended many churches. No one had good answers for me.

As an adult a dear friend introduced me to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I started attending with her. This church did not believe in the trinity. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost were separate beings!  Jesus Christ was at the very center of its doctrine and the members were all working on getting to know Christ personally.  My children were not only allowed, but, wanted in Sacrament meetings.

I can see I had been given, little by little, what I needed to keep me on the right path. The answers I did not receive needed to come to me in the Lords time and in the Lord's way. What I had been searching for was found. I began working with the missionaries and was baptized.

The day of my baptism, as I was being confirmed a member and given the gift of the Holy Ghost, I felt the spirit flood over me.  It was the most amazing thing I have ever felt. It defies description. It was a instant testament to me that I was doing exactly what the Savior wanted me to do, what I had been prepared to do.

I can see in my life for the most part I have be given revelation of truth a little bit at a time. Except for the moment of my baptism, when I was given an immediate and huge testament.

Now that I have been a member for almost thirty years, I can honestly say that I would never go back to my old way of life. I can not conceive what life would be like without the Savior at its center.  I am happy to have a more personal relationship with the Lord, to have the Holy Ghost to testify of truth and to help keep me safe. I am proud to bear my testimony that Jesus is the living Christ, that he bore our sins and died for them, and, that through the plan of salvation we can be made clean again.

I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.